Origination Director - Real Estate Private Equity, London

Director – Origination

Location: London
Sector: Special Situations / Asset-Backed Investments / Real Estate Credit & Equity
Compensation: Highly Competitive + Bonus

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a highly entrepreneurial and well-capitalised European investment platform focused on mid‑market, complex and special situations opportunities across debt and equity. The firm invests across the capital structure with a particular focus on asset‑backed opportunities, real‑estate‑backed transactions, stressed / dislocated situations, and operational turnarounds across the UK and wider Europe. The business has built a strong track record deploying flexible capital into situations requiring speed, creativity and certainty of execution. (Zetland Capital)

As part of its continued growth, the firm is seeking to appoint a Director – Origination to help source, structure and execute new investment opportunities across Europe, with a particular emphasis on sponsor‑led, proprietary and off‑market situations.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercially minded originator to join a nimble, high‑performing platform where individuals can make a direct impact on deal flow and investment outcomes.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Partners / Investment Committee, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading origination activity across targeted sectors and geographies.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate new investment opportunities across special situations, real estate‑backed credit, structured capital and opportunistic equity transactions.

• Build and maintain relationships with:

  • Sponsors / private equity firms

  • Borrowers / owner‑operators

  • Advisers (debt brokers, investment banks, lawyers, accountants)

  • Banks, alternative lenders and restructuring professionals

• Source proprietary and limited‑auction opportunities across the UK and Europe.

• Assess transactions at a high level and determine strategic fit, downside protection and execution pathway.

• Work closely with investment and underwriting teams to progress live opportunities through diligence and committee approval.

• Lead commercial negotiations including term sheets, exclusivity processes and financing structures.

• Maintain detailed pipeline reporting for senior management.

• Represent the firm externally across the market and at industry events.

• Help shape sector strategy and new market penetration initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a senior, relationship-driven investment professional with an established track record in origination and execution.

Likely Backgrounds Include

• Private credit / direct lending funds

• Special situations / opportunistic investment firms

• Real estate private equity platforms

• Investment banking / structured finance / debt advisory

• Alternative lenders / asset-backed capital providers

Experience Required

• 10+ years’ relevant experience in principal investing, lending, advisory or acquisitions.

• Demonstrable track record originating and closing transactions in the £50m–£500m+ range.

• Strong network across UK and European sponsors, lenders, advisers and intermediaries.

• Experience across one or more of:

  • Real estate‑backed lending

  • Corporate carve‑outs / stressed situations

  • Operational turnarounds

  • Structured equity / preferred equity / rescue capital

  • Platform or portfolio acquisitions

• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to quickly assess risk / reward.

• Highly numerate and comfortable discussing underwriting, structuring and downside cases.

• Cross‑border transaction experience across Continental Europe strongly preferred.

• Additional European language skills advantageous.

Highly Relevant Candidate Profile

The ideal individual may currently be operating in a Director / Senior VP capacity and have experience such as:

• Deep exposure to living sectors, operational real estate, asset‑backed platforms or complex corporate situations.

• Strong lender relationships and prior responsibility for debt sourcing / capital markets processes.

• Experience presenting to Investment Committees and working directly with senior stakeholders.

• Ability to combine relationship‑led origination with hands‑on execution discipline.

Why Join?

• High‑profile and well‑capitalised investment platform.

• Genuine autonomy and visibility with senior leadership.

• Broad mandate across debt and equity.

• Ability to lead transactions rather than simply originate leads.

• Strong compensation upside including discretionary bonus and long‑term incentive potential.

• Entrepreneurial culture with meritocratic progression.

To Apply

Please submit your CV in confidence. All discussions will be handled with strict discretion.

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