Analysis Skills, Banking Services, Coaching, Commercial Loans, Commercial Property Loans, Commercial Real Estate, Communication Skills, Entrepreneurship, Estate Management, Finance, Financial Analysis, Foreclosures, Health Plan, Investment Management, Leadership, Loan Draw, Loan Portfolio, Loans, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Mortgage Lending, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Real Estate, Relationship Management, Reporting Skills, Risk, Risk Management, Sales Management, Surveillance, Team Player, Underwriting
Director, Portfolio Management – Real Estate Finance
Washington, DC Metro Area (Hybrid)
About the Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role at a growing national lender that offers the sophistication and deal exposure of a debt fund combined with the stability and long-term platform of an established financial institution.
The organization has built a lean, entrepreneurial culture where talented professionals are empowered to think strategically, operate with autonomy, and have direct influence on portfolio decisions and business outcomes. Unlike highly layered banking environments, this team values intellectual curiosity, decisive thinking, and individuals who can independently drive complex workstreams from analysis through execution.
The role offers direct exposure to senior leadership, meaningful decision-making authority, and the ability to help shape the future infrastructure of an expanding portfolio management platform. For professionals seeking a seat with real growth runway, broader responsibility, and long-term leadership potential, this is an exceptional career opportunity.
Position Overview
The Director of Portfolio Management will oversee a national commercial real estate loan portfolio while also serving as a player/coach to a small portfolio management team. This individual will directly manage a portfolio of complex loans while mentoring and guiding junior team members across broader portfolio coverage.
The position will initially focus heavily on workout strategy, challenged assets, restructurings, and REO processes tied to a small number of underperforming credits. Over time, the role is expected to evolve toward broader portfolio surveillance, credit oversight, and strategic risk management as the platform continues its aggressive growth trajectory.
This role is ideal for a commercially minded real estate finance professional who enjoys operating in fast-paced environments and wants broader exposure beyond traditional siloed portfolio management responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and monitor a diversified national CRE loan portfolio across multiple asset classes
- Lead workout, restructuring, foreclosure, and REO management processes for challenged assets
- Oversee ongoing portfolio surveillance, risk ratings, modifications, and impairment analysis
- Partner closely with originations, underwriting, and executive leadership teams
- Mentor and help develop a portfolio management team while maintaining hands-on loan ownership
- Drive borrower communication, strategic resolutions, and complex credit decision-making
- Participate in construction loan monitoring, draw processes, and covenant compliance oversight
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives within a rapidly scaling platform
- Prepare portfolio reporting and executive-level presentations for leadership stakeholders
Desired Background
We are seeking an intellectually curious and highly motivated commercial real estate finance professional who combines strong credit fundamentals with strategic problem-solving capabilities.
Ideal candidates may come from:
- National or regional banks
- Debt funds
- Specialty finance platforms
- Middle-market commercial real estate lenders
Successful candidates will likely possess:
- 8–15 years of commercial real estate portfolio management, credit, or lending experience
- Experience managing or actively participating in CRE workouts, restructurings, or REO situations
- Strong financial analysis and real estate credit skills
- Ability to independently manage complex situations with urgency and sound judgment
- Leadership capability with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
- Strong communication and relationship management skills
- Desire to operate in a flatter, entrepreneurial environment with high visibility
Why Professionals Are Interested in This Opportunity
- High-growth national lending platform with substantial portfolio expansion underway
- Entrepreneurial, “debt fund-light” environment without excessive bureaucracy
- Direct access to senior leadership and executive decision-makers
- Opportunity to build processes and influence platform evolution
- Broad exposure across multiple commercial real estate asset classes nationwide
- Strong long-term career trajectory and advancement potential
- Meaningful ownership and visibility from day one
- Collaborative culture that values smart thinkers and independent operators
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $150,000–$200,000
- Target annual bonus opportunity: approximately 30%
- Comprehensive healthcare benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Generous PTO package
- Hybrid work flexibility
- Strong overall employee-focused culture and benefits offerings
Location
Hybrid schedule within the Washington, DC metro area. Candidates should be comfortable operating in a collaborative in-office environment several days per week.