Executive Director, CRE Transaction Management and Underwriting

It Starts Here:

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer‑centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (SCIB) provides a comprehensive suite of financing, advisory, and banking solutions to corporate, financial sponsor, institutional investor, and commercial real estate clients globally. Within SCIB, Commercial Real Estate delivers integrated lending solutions to a diverse client base, including private equity sponsors, institutional investors, developers, REITs, and operating companies.

• Lead the underwriting, structuring, and execution of CMBS conduit, SASB, Balance Sheet, and Warehouse loan transactions across a broad range of property types and markets throughout the US.

• Evaluate borrower submissions, property cash flows, sponsorship, market fundamentals, and third‑party due diligence to determine transaction viability and creditworthiness.

• Work with the team to structure loan proceeds, pricing, and terms consistent with Santander's risk appetite, credit standards, and profitability objectives.

• Prepare and present transaction recommendations to internal credit, investment, and approval committees.

• Serve as the primary execution lead throughout the transaction lifecycle, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and successful closings.

• Oversee due diligence efforts, including appraisal, engineering, environmental, insurance, legal, and market reviews, both internally and with third‑party vendor support relationships.

• Coordinate with investors, B‑piece buyers, rating agencies, legal counsel, Middle Office, and Operations teams to address transaction‑related diligence and closing requirements.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate transaction risks while balancing client needs, execution certainty, and portfolio objectives.

• Monitor active pipeline activity, closing forecasts, and transaction metrics to support business planning and production goals.

• Provide market intelligence and strategic insights regarding commercial real estate fundamentals, lending conditions, and competitive market dynamics.

• Act as a player‑coach by mentoring, training, and developing junior underwriting and execution professionals.

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of underwriting standards, execution processes, and risk management practices.

• Maintain current knowledge of commercial real estate market trends, CMBS activity, and industry developments.

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required.

• 10+ years of commercial real estate lending, CMBS, structured finance, or related experience.

• Significant experience underwriting and executing across CMBS conduit/SASB/Balance Sheet transactions.

• Strong understanding of CMBS securitization, rating agency methodologies, and institutional investor requirements.

• Advanced financial modeling, cash flow analysis, and commercial real estate credit underwriting skills.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing deal teams and mentoring junior professionals.

• Proven ability to manage multiple complex transactions in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex credit matters to senior stakeholders.

• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive consensus across multiple business functions.

• Strong relationship management skills with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience across multiple commercial real estate asset classes, including office, multifamily, industrial, retail, hospitality, and specialty sectors.

• Fami…