Real Estate Associate

Job Description:

Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead – our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It’s a big ask, but it’s one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate – pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job, it’s a career with purpose. It’s a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future – including your own.

We’re actively seeking talented Real Estate Associates to join our Real Estate Commercial Mortgage team in suburban Chicago (Oak Park, IL). As a Real Estate Associate, you’ll play a key role in Pacific Life’s continued growth and long-term success by providing analytical, underwriting, due diligence, and closing support for the new loan production efforts in the Central Regional Office that covers the major Central US metros within Illinois, Texas, Florida, etc.

In addition to the Oak Park location, we will consider qualified candidates that will support the office while being based out of our headquarters in Newport Beach, CA. Pacific Life’s Commercial Mortgage team focuses on a variety of property types and strategies across the United States including construction, permanent, bridge and fixed and floating rate loans. As of December 31, 2024, Pacific Life’s mortgage loan investments total approximately $26 billion.

How you’ll help move us forward:

• Perform in a supporting role to solicit, underwrite and structure commercial and multifamily mortgage loans that meet Pacific Life’s investment objectives.
• Research and evaluate sponsorship, location, market, and property-specific data to understand the key risks of each loan and vet underwriting assumptions.
• Conduct rent roll, income, and expense analysis.
• Create/modify complex cash flow models in Argus and Excel for commercial and multifamily properties.
• Participate in the preparation of internal memos, due diligence, and site inspections.
• Present verbal and written recommendations to Pacific Life’s Real Estate Investment Committee.
• Review and analyze transaction documents and third-party reports as part of the due diligence and closing process.
• Interface with institutional-quality borrowers, brokers, and third-party service providers.
• Work cohesively within Pacific Life’s Commercial Mortgage team and effectively interface with other offices, in-house mortgage loan origination teams, closing, construction services, asset management, capital markets, and loan servicing teams
• Some travel required to evaluate investment opportunities and market Pacific Life loan programs.

The experience you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business, Finance, Math, Economics or related field from a four-year college or university
• 2-5 years related experience in evaluating and underwriting investment merits and risk associated with commercial real estate, preferably in a debt underwriting capacity.
• Excellent financial modeling skills including high proficiency in Excel and Argus.
• Knowledge of real estate cash flow and valuation analysis for multi-family, industrial, retail, office and hospitality sectors.
• Knowledge of commercial mortgage nomenclature and a fundamental understanding of the variables that drive the sizing and structuring of a commercial mortgage loan.
• Strong in software applications Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Argus with ability to quickly learn new program applications.
• Excellent analytical, research, critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, able to interface with top level executives.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multi-task while prioritizing workflow and deadlines.
• Desire to take initiative and be a team player. 

What makes you stand out:

• A Master’s Degree in Real Estate or MBA with a real estate concentration – strongly preferred.
• Previous property type experience with multi-family, industrial, retail, office and hospitality.
• Prior commercial real estate debt underwriting experience (beyond internships) and knowledge of capital markets.

You can be who you are.

We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities. We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential. What’s life like at Pacific Li