Vice President: Real Estate Finance – Investment Banking

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reference ID: 80382658A-0001

Role Summary

Standard Bank Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) is seeking an experienced Vice President to lead its Real Estate Finance (REF) Solutions deal team in Johannesburg. Positioned at the core of South Africa’s commercial property capital markets, this senior role is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of complex real estate debt solutions.

As Vice President, you will direct transaction structures, lead high-stakes negotiations for both vanilla and structured debt, manage risk governance, and maintain key client relationships. The primary objective is to drive revenue growth across the bank's property portfolio while delivering tailored capital solutions for major commercial, industrial, and retail real estate clients.

Key Responsibilities & Operational Scope

• Deal Execution & Negotiation: Lead deal teams in negotiating terms for vanilla and structured property debt solutions. Coordinate internal legal, credit, and risk stakeholders along with external advisors to execute transaction agreements and achieve commercial closing.

• Financial Modeling & Structuring: Supervise and validate complex real estate financial models, including property valuations, cash-flow stress testing, and debt sizing. Direct the drafting of offering memorandums, term sheets, pricing supplements, and legal documentation.

• Portfolio & Revenue Management: Drive financial performance against assigned deal revenue targets. Continuously measure, monitor, and report on portfolio yield, capital utilization, and budget performance.

• Risk & Regulatory Oversight: Partner with specialist risk divisions to align transactions with Basel framework requirements, internal credit risk policies, and local governance regulations. Conduct regular portfolio monitoring to mitigate asset exposure and non-performing loan risks.

• Market Intelligence & Strategy: Conduct deep-dive economic and commercial property market research to identify sector trends, evaluate asset-class risks (retail, office, industrial, logistics), and refine client target segments.

Candidate Qualifications & Competency Profile

Required Education & Certifications

• Academic Degree: Post Graduate Degree in Finance, Commerce, Investment Management, or Accounting (Honours/Master's preferred).

• Professional Designations (Advantageous): CFA Charter, CA(SA), or equivalent financial accreditation.

Professional Experience

• Commercial Property Finance: 5 to 7 years of hands-on experience in structuring and executing commercial property finance deals within an investment banking or private equity environment.

• Deal Team Leadership: Proven track record (5–7 years) managing, directing, and mentoring junior analysts and associates through transaction execution.

• Risk Management & Compliance: 5 to 7 years interpreting local and international lending regulatory frameworks, credit risk policies, and portfolio monitoring metrics.

• End-to-End Execution: Demonstrated experience taking debt solutions from origination to financial close, including presenting to investment and credit committees.

Core Technical & Professional Competencies

• Advanced Financial Modeling: Ability to interrogate, build, and stress-test real estate valuation models, discounted cash flow (DCF) analyses, and loan-to-value (LTV) / debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) metrics.

• Deal Structuring & Appraisal: In-depth knowledge of senior debt, mezzanine finance, bridge loans, and syndicated real estate facilities.

• Market & Sector Expertise: Clear understanding of South African commercial property fundamentals, macroeconomic drivers, interest rate dynamics, and regional real estate developments.

What Makes This Role Strategic?

The Real Estate Finance division within Standard Bank CIB operates at the intersection of capital markets and urban development across Africa. A Vice President in this group does not merely manage loans; they shape skyline-defining developments, logistics hubs, and green building initiatives. Candidates stepping into this position gain direct exposure to executive-level decision-makers, institutional property funds, and listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Application Checklist for Candidates

Before submitting your application via the Standard Bank careers portal, ensure your resume includes:

1. Transaction Sheet: Highlight 3 to 5 notable commercial property debt transactions you have led or structured, including deal size and asset class where permitted.

2. Quantifiable Achievements: Include specific metrics on portfolio growth, revenue generated, or deal volume executed in your previous roles.

3. Regulatory Alignment: Outline your familiarity with local South African financial regulations and corporate lending governance.