International Private Bank, Head of Commercial Real Estate Underwriting & Portfolio Management, Executive Director, London

Overview

In this role you will build and lead a pan-European CRE underwriting and portfolio management function, shaping underwriting standards and risk governance. You will collaborate with Private Banking, Origination, Risk, and Legal to deliver sophisticated financing structures for UHNW clients. Expect to manage complex, multi-jurisdictional deals and oversee construction lending, financial modelling, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. This is an opportunity to scale secured lending capabilities across Europe while upholding rigorous credit discipline.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the CRE underwriting and portfolio management team
• Define pan-European underwriting standards and playbooks with CROs and Credit Committees
• Allocate resources and balance pipeline priorities with turnaround times
• Lead end-to-end underwriting of large-ticket, multi-jurisdictional CRE debt opportunities
• Oversee construction and development lending processes and feasibility assessments
• Manage financial modelling, sensitivities, and risk metrics across capital structure
• Sponsor and present credit memoranda to Regional/Global Credit Committees
• Negotiate bespoke loan facilities and security documents with external and internal teams
• Structure complex intercreditor and security arrangements across UK and Europe
• Draft/negotiate CPs, disbursement mechanics, cost overrun protections
• Direct drawdown monitoring with IMS and validate invoices and site inspections
• Oversee ongoing loan surveillance, covenant tracking, and annual reviews
• Identify early signs of credit deterioration and lead workout/resolution actions

Key requirements

• 10-15+ years CRE lending and underwriting experience in international banks or debt funds
• Hands-on construction lending structuring and administration experience
• Familiarity with UK and core European lending and security frameworks
• Strong documentation knowledge: LMA facilities, security agreements, intercreditor deeds
• Proven people leadership and team development
• Experience engaging UHNW sponsors, family offices, external counsel, and appraisers

• Strong verbal and written communication
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and people development
• Advanced financial modeling in Microsoft Excel
• Understanding of European CRE valuation (RICS Red Book) and due diligence standards
• Proficiency with LMA-based documentation and intercreditor structures

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