Commercial Real Estate Managing Director – Acquisitions, Originations & Portfolio Management

The Hartford•Hartford, CT

21d•Onsite

About The Position

The Commercial Real Estate Managing Director will be a senior leader responsible for originating and executing real estate investments across (i) equity acquisitions via joint venture partnerships and (ii) commercial mortgage originations, while also providing senior oversight of portfolio management. The role requires a market-facing, relationship-driven professional with deep industry expertise, a proven ability to source and close institutional-quality transactions, and a reputation as a known and trusted figure in the brokerage and operator community. This position will contribute to investment strategy and execution within assigned markets, partner closely with Asset Management and Portfolio Management teams, and represent The Hartford/HIMCO externally with sponsors, borrowers, intermediaries, and internal stakeholders. The platform invests in private real estate through joint ventures and commercial mortgage loans, among other approaches. This role is based in our Hartford, CT Home Office.

Requirements

12+ years of institutional commercial real estate experience with demonstrated success in both equity acquisitions (JV structures) and debt originations (commercial mortgage loans).
Track record of sourcing, negotiating, and closing complex transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions, and loan originations.
Strong understanding of real estate legal documentation (JV agreements, PSA, loan documents) and ability to structure investor-protective terms.
Demonstrated ability to lead investment committee processes and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders.
Strong market reputation and relationships with brokers, sponsors/operators, borrowers, and intermediaries; recognized presence in the brokerage community.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading and developing talent preferred.
Undergraduate degree required (finance, economics, business, real estate, or related); MBA, CFA, or other advanced designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Investment Origination & Market Coverage Lead sourcing and origination of new equity and debt investments that meet portfolio risk/return objectives, including joint venture acquisitions and commercial mortgage loans.
Own market coverage strategy for assigned territories; maintain real-time knowledge of pricing, leverage conditions, capital markets, and competitive landscape.
Develop and sustain senior-level relationships with top brokers, sponsors, borrowers, and capital partners, with clear expectation of being a visible and respected market participant.
Deal Leadership, Underwriting & Investment Committee Lead transaction underwriting and structure across equity and debt investments, including scenario analysis, downside protection, and relative value assessment.
Prepare and deliver investment memoranda and presentations to investment committees, articulating thesis, risks, mitigants, structure, and expected outcomes.
Set underwriting standards and ensure alignment with platform strategy, including appropriate structuring of credit enhancements to address lease-up, rollover, execution complexity, and repositioning/development risk.
Negotiation, Structuring & Closing Execution Independently negotiate key transaction documents, including: Joint venture agreements Purchase and sale agreements Term sheets, loan applications, and loan documents
Manage all aspects of closing execution—coordinating internal and external partners (legal, accounting, engineering, insurance, and third-party consultants), ensuring deadlines are met, issues are resolved quickly, and approvals are obtained efficiently.
Portfolio Management & Capital Markets Execution Partner with Asset Management teams to monitor, manage, and optimize the existing portfolio—business plans, valuations, lease strategy, refinancing, recapitalizations, dispositions, and restructurings.
Provide senior leadership on capital markets transactions, including refinancing strategies, debt restructuring, and JV recapitalizations;
Leadership, Team Development & Platform Building Provide leadership across the investment lifecycle: origination → underwriting → approvals → closing → portfolio execution.
Mentor and develop junior and mid-level talent, creating training opportunities and delegating ownership while maintaining accountability.
Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that values intellectual honesty, constructive debate, and continuous improvement.
Encourage cross-functional collaboration with Asset Management, Portfolio Management, and Legal teams to ensure integrated decision-making.
Champion process enhancements, underwriting best practices, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that improve efficiency, consistency, and investment outcomes across the platform.
External Representation & Thought Leadership Serve as a senior representative of The Hartford/HIMCO in the market—building the firm’s brand and credibility with key stakeholders, including brokerage leadership and top-tier sponsors/borrowers.