K-Star CRE Transactions Associate

REAL ESTATE CREDIT OVERVIEW

KKR Real Estate Credit was formed in January 2015 to invest in real estate credit products and complement KKR Real Estate’s private equity platforms. Within KKR Real Estate Credit, we seek opportunities where we have a sourcing, underwriting or execution advantage by leveraging KKR’s brand, industry knowledge and relationships. KKR Real Estate Credit currently invests through nine separately capitalized vehicles across our Direct Lending and Securitized Asset portfolios and consists of 50+ dedicated professionals based in New York, San Francisco, Houston and Dallas.

KKR has developed a dedicated services platform, K-Star Asset Management LLC (“K-Star”), to support asset management, loan origination, securities investing, risk management and client experience activities for its commercial real estate credit franchise as it continues to scale. The K-Star team includes industry specialists who oversee special servicing, portfolio analytics, underwriting, stabilized loan asset management, transitional loan asset management, and investment oversight across KKR’s real estate credit portfolio. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

K-Star is seeking an enthusiastic, intelligent, diligent and highly organized individual for its Transactions Associate position to facilitate, monitor and track the review, approval, closing, and post-closing activities involving transactional requests on CMBS loans. The successful candidate will interact with internal and external Legal Counsel, Special Servicing and Accounting teams, as well as with Borrowers and other Servicers.

In addition to commercial real estate loan experience, the candidate must possess a collaborative mindset and excellent communication and organizational skills in order to build meaningful partnerships across KKR’s businesses, inclusive of real estate credit, legal, investment, finance and asset management. The position also requires participation in special assignments related to the growth of the K-Star platform.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the onboarding process for newly referred transaction requests.
• Ensure prompt assignment of all transactional matters.
• Work with the Consents Manager to facilitate timely completion of recommendations for approval.
• Prepare and issue conditional approval notifications to Borrowers and/or Servicers, as appropriate.
• Manage the delivery of notifications to other approval, consultation or notice parties, including Co-lenders, Rating Agencies, etc.
• Participate in post-approval discussions alongside K-Star Legal and/or Special Servicing team members.
• Maintain a closing checklist for each transaction.
• Manage the process of obtaining third party reports such as KYC reviews, PCRs and ESAs.
• Maintain the status of approvals, fees and closings in the K-Star system of record.
• Coordinate the receipt of closing documents and payments, and delivery of same to the proper parties.
• Complete fee reconciliations and remittances in collaboration with the K-Star Finance and Accounting Team.
• Prepare periodic reports for the Consents Manager and the Head of Special Servicing on performance metrics, revenues, etc.
• Update the K-Star system of record to capture modification of loan parties, terms, etc., as applicable.
• Identify and promote opportunities for maximizing efficiencies in the transactions process through enhanced procedures, technologies, etc.
• Participate in special projects as needed to implement and maximize new technologies to support the K-Star platform. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a Business-, Finance-, or Real Estate-related course of study, or equivalent experience in commercial real estate loan administration, loan closings or asset management
• At least three years of experience reviewing and interpreting commercial real estate loan and transactional documents
• Fundamental knowledge of loan servicing and general lending and financial concepts
• CMBS experience strongly preferred
• Superior analytical, quantitative, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational, and communication skills, both verbal and written
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Effective multi-tasking, prioritization, and time management skills
• High level of integrity and the initiative to identify and escalate risk- and compliance-related issues
• Exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness is a must
• An appreciation for collaboration and strong relationship-building that align with the company’s culture and core values
• Confidence to work independently with minimal oversight once processes are established
• Ability to develop and maintain personal, social and business relationships, representing K-Star and KKR in a professional and ethical manner

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