Associate Director- Acquisitions – Commercial Real Estate Full Time

Global Real Estate and Agricultural Investments maintain a portfolio invested in commercial real estate and agricultural mortgages, as well as real estate equities. Real Estate Investments sources and manages commercial real estate investments through seven regional field offices in the U.S. and International field offices in London, Tokyo, Mexico City and Santiago.  This role includes analyzing and evaluating acquisitions and development opportunities for the Region. The portfolio includes office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hotels and strategies range from core to value and development/opportunistic.  The role requires close interaction with MetLife Real Estate Portfolio Management, asset management, leasing, operations, construction and accounting professionals working on related direct acquisition and/or joint venture equity assets.  Reporting directly to the LARO Managing Director and the Acquisition Team Lead, this position will represent MetLife Real Estate in the Region, which includes direct external marketing of our investment products to the industry, as well as developing and maintaining long-term relationships with borrowers, brokers, partners, and key clients.  This position will recommend buy, development, and sell decisions that directly impact net investment income.  The LARO region includes Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Hawaii.

Key Responsibilities: 

• In coordination with the LARO Managing Director and Acquisitions Team Lead, execute and set strategic direction and oversee performance for the LARO Acquisitions team.
• Responsible for the underwriting, due diligence, acquiring and closing equity investments for the MetLife general account as well as third party investment accounts.
• Responsible for the preparation of transaction approval memos including market research/trends to formulate underwriting assumptions.
• Responsible for coordinating due diligence and coordination with asset managers during the closing/onboarding process including, tenant estoppel reviews, OFAC compliance, ARGUS audit, rent roll/lease verification, etc. as required in the closing process for the acquisition and development of real estate equity assets.
• Interface with all parties involved in the acquisition due diligence and closing process, including internal as well as external partners such as portfolio management, regional architects, JV partners, asset & property managers, legal counsel, brokers, third party consultants and representatives of third-party investor accounts.
• Work cooperatively with portfolio managers, marketing and investor relations, and research in establishing appropriate acquisitions strategies and parameters.
• Ensure acquisitions processes, including legal and due diligence, are efficient, prudent, and consistent with industry best practices.
• Assist the regional platform to ensure growth of assets and sustained optimal portfolio performance and net income growth for both the MetLife General Account as well as MIM client accounts.
• Oversee a consistent investment process; guide and implement investment decisions to ensure appropriate risk/return outcomes.
• Source and vet investment opportunities through Regional Investment Committee and Equity Strategy Group Investment Committees to ensure quality control of investments, deal structures, and appropriate risk/return metrics.
• Manage equity portfolio risk to maximize income potential and minimize credit losses, operating deficits, and income variances; proactively address potential loan problems and/or equity investment challenges to optimize economic outcome.
• Mentor, develop and manage talent; ensure succession planning within the Regional Office.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills

Required:

• 5+ years of relevant experience, ideally with regional real estate investment responsibility.
• Experience in equity real estate acquisition experience with track record of value enhancement.
• Business and financial acumen.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Excellent market knowledge, negotiation skills and the ability to execute.
• Strong financial skill set.
• Well versed in ARGUS Enterprise and Excel.
• Well-organized and team-oriented with strong work ethic.
• Must be detail-oriented with strong time management/prioritization skills and ability to work independently is essential.

Preferred:

• MBA, CFA, preferred.

Travel

Negligible

Source: MetLife Real Estate Career Page

Tagged as: Life Insurance Company, REPE Firm