Director, Private Markets - Real Estate & Real Assets

Cresset Capital•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cresset is seeking a highly motivated Director, Private Markets to join our dynamic private investments team, with a primary focus on private real estate and real assets due diligence. This role offers the opportunity to work across a diverse range of private investment strategies, with a primary focus on creating unique access points through funds, co-investments and other structures that help the platform leverage the scale for the end clients’ benefit. As part of a rapidly scaling platform, this role plays an integral role in evaluating, underwriting, executing, and monitoring investments, while gaining direct exposure to senior professionals, investment committees, and external partners. This role is well suited for a candidate with strong real estate investing and analytical experience who is eager to build a long-term career in private real estate and real assets with meaningful professional growth and upside. At Cresset, you will be part of a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial drive. As an Director, you will gain direct exposure to differentiated private investment opportunities, contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes, and help develop a durable career path in private real estate and real assets investing. We are open to hiring this role in Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX.

Requirements

Strong understanding of real estate markets, valuation methodologies, capital structures, real estate diligence materials, and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations.
5+ years of transaction-oriented experience in private real estate, real assets, or a related investment role, with preference for candidates with prior institutional real estate investment or brokerage experience.
Undergraduate degree with outstanding academic achievement.
Advanced financial modeling expertise in Excel, with the ability to build and interpret detailed transaction models, including property- and fund-level underwriting, cash flow analysis, and scenario testing.
Exceptionally curious, resourceful, and self-motivated, with a strong personal interest in private real estate and real assets.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas to internal and external stakeholders.
Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

Support the real estate investment process by screening opportunities, evaluating pipeline, coordinating diligence requests, and advancing actionable deals.
Conduct in-depth market, sector, sponsor, fund- and asset-level research, and build comprehensive financial, valuation, and transaction models.
Analyze cash flows, capital structures, return sensitivities, and prepare investment committee materials to support recommendations.
Help drive diligence workflows from initial review through closing, coordinating with internal and external parties.
Assist in managing a portfolio of private real estate funds including quarterly analysis, performance reporting, and other ongoing activities.
Work closely with senior team members and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of transactions and portfolio management activities.