Associate Director, Commercial Real Estate Finance (Loan Closing), Transaction Advisory Group

Scotiabank•New York, NY

38d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director will lead the execution and closing of complex U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) financing transactions, acting as the central coordinator across business, legal/compliance, credit, and operations teams. The role requires deep expertise in loan documentation, closing mechanics, and regulatory compliance, with a strong legal orientation to support negotiation, structuring, and execution through funding. There is significant client interaction involved working on live transactions and ensuring high quality, successful deal execution. This role sits within the Transaction Advisory Group (TAG) within Global Banking & Markets. TAG provides structuring and execution expertise across multiple products including debt capital markets, asset-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations, and other securitized and warehouse financing products.

Requirements

J.D. (or equivalent legal degree) strongly preferred; background in real estate finance or banking law highly valued
~5–10+ years of experience in CRE loan closing, structured finance execution, or CRE legal / documentation roles
Deep knowledge of: Commercial real estate loan structures (construction, bridge, syndicated, CMBS)
Deep knowledge of: Loan documentation and closing mechanics
Deep knowledge of: Title, escrow, and collateral perfection requirements
Proven ability to manage complex transactions and multiple closings concurrently
Strong risk awareness and understanding of regulatory/compliance frameworks
Legal + structuring expertise (ability to bridge legal docs and credit intent)
Strong project management and execution discipline
High attention to detail and accuracy
Advanced stakeholder management and communication skills
Ability to operate in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end CRE loan closings (balance sheet, syndications, CMBS / warehouse facilities) from credit approval through funding and post-close completion
Manage closing timelines, conditions precedent, and issue resolution to ensure timely, accurate funding
Coordinate funding mechanics, including settlement statements, sources & uses, and wire execution with Treasury
Review, interpret, and negotiate loan agreements, security documents, and closing documentation in alignment with approved credit terms
Partner closely with internal and external legal counsel to resolve documentation issues and ensure enforceability
Ensure consistency between legal documentation, credit approvals, and booking systems
Oversee all closing due diligence (title, survey, insurance, UCC, environmental, etc.) and validate completeness prior to funding
Identify and mitigate documentation or structural risks; escalate and resolve exceptions proactively
Ensure all transactions comply with Scotiabank policies, regulatory requirements, and underwriting standards
Act as the central point of coordination across Credit, Origination, Syndications, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and external parties (borrowers, counsel, agents)
Manage communications and expectations across multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced deal environment
Ensure completeness of closing packages, loan boarding, and transition to servicing / asset management
Track and resolve post-closing deliverables and documentation exceptions
Drive best practices in closing processes, documentation standards, and controls
Support audits, regulatory reviews, and internal governance requirements
Mentor junior team members and contribute to process improvements across CRE platform