Associate, Loan Structuring and Transaction Execution

What will you do?

You will be joining a small, dynamic principal team with strong growth ambitions, an established client base including some of the largest and most prestigious global private equity real estate sponsors and a solid track record of bilateral deal origination across geographies and asset classes.

You would report directly to the Head of Loan Structuring (based in Dallas) and work autonomously, although with a high degree of day-to-day interaction with the rest of the loan structuring team as well as with the loan origination and asset management teams.

Key responsibilities include, among others:

Loan Structuring / documentation and transaction execution:

• assisting the loan origination team on the structuring of transactions and on due diligence issues related to the particular asset class, loan type and/or sponsor business plan in order to find the appropriate risk/reward balance for each transaction;
• drafting and negotiating non-binding term sheets;
• reviewing internal/external counsel commitment documentation with the sponsor to accurately capture the economics and structure of each transaction;
• selecting external legal counsel from RBC's designated counsel panel list and, with the assistance of internal RBC Law Group counsel, leading the front office interface with such external counsel in order to provide the best execution for each transaction and in order to leverage the correct expertise for each transaction;
• leading the negotiation and execution of the finance documents;
• managing the due diligence process in the run up to final committee approvals and loan closing whilst providing strategic and structuring advice to the loan origination team as the due diligence is reviewed, including being responsible for amending transaction structures to accommodate due diligence issues and presenting due diligence issues to both RECP's group risk management and credit teams;
• assisting the loan origination team (in conjunction with internal RBC Law Group guidance) with engagement letters for third party consultants;
• assisting the loan origination team with the preparation and presentation of credit committee materials with respect to the loan covenants, transaction security package, external counsel advised enforcement routes, due diligence issues and/or material loan structure or transaction features;
• reviewing and advising on internal RBC Law Group or external counsel drafted pre-engagement documentation where supported by such counsel;
• facilitating external counsel preparation, review and negotiation of reliance letters, SNDAs, REAs, duty of care agreements, legal opinions and other ancillary facility documentation;
• leading the closing process for each transaction, including:
  • assisting the loan origination team with the internal funding process for new loans including liaising with RECP's treasury, group risk management, global loans administration, regulatory reporting etc.; and
  • working with external counsel to collect and sign off on conditions precedent under the finance documents; and

• proactively identifying operational risks / control deficiencies in loan structuring and documentation and working with external legal counsel and the loan origination team to resolve them.
  

Loan and OREO Asset Management:

• providing legal and documentation expertise to RECP's asset management, loan origination and special loans advisory teams in regards to the on-going asset management of existing loans or OERO assets, including assisting RECP's asset management team with:
  • supporting external counsel and/or internal RBC Law Group in negotiating the documentation for all waiver and lender consent requests (i.e. leasing, capex, loan extensions etc.) and any recurring loan events (i.e. property disposals, valuation events etc.) as well as with loan restructures and work outs;
  • assisting with the internal processes for any of the above, including liaising with group risk management and other internal control functions (where appropriate);
  • the approval process for new drawdowns under existing facilities; and
  • any other ad-hoc requests or workstreams which relate to existing loans or owned properties (i.e. corporate tax reorganizations, debt push downs, post-closing security grants, etc.).
    

Strategic Advice / Representation:

• providing strategic advice to the team's senior management and to bank wide control functions on transformational projects for the business (i.e. entering a new jurisdiction, pursuing a new product line, creating new legal entities for the business, setting up new funding techniques, obtaining new or expanded financial services licenses etc.); and
• attending industry events (i.e. LSTA, CREFC, events hosted by valuation firms, environmental consultants, law firms and other third parties) both in order to expand your transaction structuring knowledge and as a representative of RECP in the wider real estate finance market.

What do you need to succeed?

Must-have:

• business, commerce, architecture, mathematics, statistics, economics, law (LLB, JD, LLM or equivalent) or MBA from an academically renowned university together with a proven track record of academic excellence at all levels;
• at least 2 years of finance experience at an investment bank, commercial bank, private equity firm or international law firm negotiating and closing loans with institutional sponsors, including some experience closing non-recourse real estate finance transactions with institutional class sponsors; ;
• proficiency with either LMA or LSTA based real estate secured loan documentation or their equivalent in another common law jurisdiction;
• excellent analytical and communication skills together with proven experience of negotiating real estate finance documentation, including commitment documents, facility agreements, intercreditor agreements, security agreements etc.;
• excellent transaction management skills, together with excellent attention to detail at all times;
• high proficiency in computer applications such as MS Outlook, Word and PowerPoint;
• an ability to manage multiple competing priorities, a willingness to assume a high level of responsibility and an ability to demonstrate that you are able to work in in a fast-paced, challenging environment where you will be required to have a proactive approach and be able to meet tight deadlines with (at times), a demanding workload;
• a willingness to travel internationally when required (i.e. site visits, London office meetings, head office meetings in Toronto, client events, industry conferences, and/or training events);
• initiative, determination, a "can do" attitude and a sense of humour - each of which you'll need to succeed in the fast paced and challenging commercial environment that RECP provides;
• a strong "team player" attitude;
• a personality and interests outside of your day-to-day role - someone who can bring something of themselves to the team! RECP places great importance on cultivating an enjoyable working culture within the team and accordingly, personality fit is very important in maintaining that culture; and
• authorization to work in the United States.

Nice-to-have:

• Law degree from an academically renowned university from a common law country;
• 2 years of private practice legal experience in real estate lending in a common law country;
• an ability to demonstrate a genuine interest in real estate finance.

What's in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program include competitive compensation and flexible benefits, such as 401(k) program with company-matching contributions, health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and paid-time off.
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities.
• Ability to make a difference and lasting impact.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
• Opportunities to do challenging work.
• Opportunities to build close relationships with clients.

Job Skills

Additional Job Details

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

At RBC, we believe an inclusive workplace that has diverse perspectives is core to our continued growth as one of the largest and most successful banks in the world. Maintaining a workplace where our employees feel supported to perform at their best, effectively collaborate, drive innovation, and grow professionally helps to bring our Purpose to life and create value for our clients and communities. RBC strives to deliver this through policies and programs intended to foster a workplace based on respect, belonging and opportunity for all.