Commercial Mortgage Loan Originator

THE COMPANY

For more than 170 years, National Life Group (“NLG”) has aimed to keep their promises to provide families stability in good times and in bad. And throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.

As a mission-driven business, the cause of what we do is as important as the products we sell. Our cause is a very simple one, directed at the people who live and work on America’s Main Streets: “To Do good in our communities and with the individual families we serve.”

The investment management company of NLG manages approximately $41 billion in AUM. Our purpose is simple – to set up (or help) NLG to keep its promises. How we do this – an obsessive focus on delivering investment results. We drive results through a rigorous but collaborative investment process, and we hold ourselves to the highest of standards, both as investors and teammates. While our process is based on rigor, our culture is based on our guiding principles: Meritocracy, Uncompromising Transparency, Intellectual Honesty, Performance Driven Learning, and a Relentless Pursuit of Excellence. These principles serve as the foundation of our team.  They govern the way we conduct ourselves, how we interact with teammates and how we approach every investment decision.  We act with the integrity and humility required to make the investment decision that is right for the firm, and ultimately our policyholders.  Our culture has been deliberately built to foster curiosity and provide opportunities to learn and grow, both as people and investors. The flat and collaborative nature of our team promotes an atmosphere where the best ideas are continually expressed and rewarded. Our pursuit of excellence is unwavering.

THE POSITION

Position Title                     Commercial Mortgage Loan Originator

Reports to                           Head of Commercial Real Estate

Position Summary

As a Commercial Mortgage Loan Originator on the Investment Team, you will develop, analyze, and recommend commercial mortgage loan investments.  Covering a specific territory, the Originator will leverage existing and new relationships to source and evaluate mortgage loans consistent with the investment objectives of National Life spanning Core, Core-Plus, and Value-Add mandates.  The Originator will be expected to communicate effectively across the CRE team and among the broad investment team, providing relevant insights on the mortgage market, pending risks, and opportunities. Additional responsibilities include assisting with closings, analyzing other potential real estate transactions and performing special projects such as portfolio valuation and investment research.   

Responsibilities

• Produce commercial mortgage loans within a defined geographic territory in accordance with mandate approved by insurance company client 
• Source business through professionals in the marketplace primarily mortgage bankers, brokers, and principals in the real estate industry 
•  Effectively communicate commercial mortgage loan program to industry participants as a means for sourcing business 
•  Identify and grow new business opportunities, expanding relationships and evaluating new investment types
• Monitor market trends, pricing, and activity and provide robust communication around asset class relative value and opportunities across the broad investment team
• Screen and review prospective commercial mortgage loan investments 
• Perform due diligence to assure prospective investment meets underwriting criteria and approved mandate 
• Prepare committee memoranda and present transactions for investment committeereview
• Prepare and negotiate commitment letters 
•  Coordinate and assist with loan closings, servicing issues, refinancing, workouts, etc. 
• Travel within assigned markets for deal diligence and relationship development
• Assist in the preparation of periodic management reports, budgets, individual investment summaries, production updates and special projects 
•  Assist in the annual commercial mortgage portfolio review, valuation, pricing models 

THE PERSON

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

• At least five years of related work experience in real estate investments preferred
• Experience as a mortgage originator, preferably within an insurance company or debt fund context
• Experience with bridge and/or structured lending preferred, not required
• Bachelor’s Degree /Master’s Degree (preferred) in Finance, Economics, or related field
• Intermediate to advanced Excel including proficiency with pivot tables, NPV (required) and VBA (preferred, not required), PowerPoint, and Word
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of discounted cash flow modeling, real estate fundamentals and capital structures
• Argus experience preferred, not required
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member
• Flexibility and adaptability at handling multiple priorities and initiatives
• Optimistic, energetic with “can do” / resourceful style

Cultural Fit

• Results-driven mindset
• A coach who knows how to guide others - a good listener and an effective communicator who can execute, lead by example, and add business value
• Thrives in an environment where the best ideas that drive the best results are rewarded
• Has the integrity to communicate all relevant facts and information in evaluating decisions and the humility to admit what they do not know
• Love of learning – comfortable in an organization that seeks to continually learn from its failures and successes to drive better investment decisions
• Comfortable with ambiguity and the mentality required to address and ultimately own those ambiguous situations – finds answers and solutions, a problem solver
• Comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback in both real time and structured environments
• Demonstrates transparent, direct, and open communication across the organization
• Promotes collaboration and has a “firm first” attitude – does what is right for the firm
• Commitment to our mission – keeping our promises, vision – to bring peace of mind to everyone we touch and values – Do good. Be good. Make good.