Real Estate Strategy & Underwriting Lead

About IREI

Impact Real Estate Infrastructure Canada (IREI) is a Canadian public-interest platform focused on strengthening the long-term stewardship and financial sustainability of real estate held and developed by nonprofits, Indigenous organizations and other impact organizations[cite: 1]. IREI is developing a common reporting approach for impact real estate, designed to complement the systems organizations and public institutions already use[cite: 1].

The Opportunity

We are beginning a rolling search for the right person to join our small team[cite: 1]. This is not a conventional mortgage-underwriting role and it is not an entry-level finance position[cite: 1]. We are looking for someone with more than foundational experience in real estate finance who can independently work through complex financial and real estate information and form a defensible professional view[cite: 1].

Core Capability: Detailed Underwriting

Underwriting ability is the most important technical requirement[cite: 1]. Strong candidates should be comfortable moving from detailed financial information to clear real estate judgment[cite: 1]. Areas of focus include:

• Financial statements and financial reporting[cite: 1]
• Annual and multi-year operating budgets[cite: 1]
• Development pro formas and project feasibility[cite: 1]
• Debt schedules, financing structures and refinancing[cite: 1]
• Risk identification and clear underwriting recommendations[cite: 1]

Advanced Excel and hands-on financial modelling are core expectations for this role[cite: 1].

Required Background

Candidates must have a professional background in real estate finance or a closely related real estate discipline[cite: 1]. Relevant experience includes:

• Commercial real estate underwriting or real estate finance[cite: 1]
• Real estate development finance[cite: 1]
• Commercial banking or mortgage lending with substantive underwriting responsibility[cite: 1]
• Institutional real estate or investment management[cite: 1]

Complementary Experience We Value

While strong underwriting fundamentals come first, the following experience would strengthen a candidate:

• Real Estate Development & Asset Management: Experience in feasibility, capital planning, and property operations[cite: 1].
• Institutional Investment Perspective: Experience with REITs, private equity real estate, or portfolio-level capital allocation[cite: 1].
• Public & Private Sector Perspective: Experience working across both private and public sectors, including developers, lenders, CMHC, or Indigenous organizations[cite: 1].

Location & Role Structure

The role is remote and can be based anywhere in Canada[cite: 1]. This will initially be a part-time / fractional position, anticipated at approximately 8-12 hours per week[cite: 1]. For the right person, there is the potential for the role to grow significantly over time[cite: 1].