Principal Financial Officer – Something Has to Give
Last year a number of REIT IPOs did not get off the ground as the equity-capital markets were not ready to support the transition of many of the private real estate enterprises apiring to enter the public market. However, the tide is turning and a number of IPOs are lining up to take the plunge into the public arena. For most real estate entrepreneurs, the transition is a shock to their system and a difficult adjustment to the world of analysts, research, Sarbanes-Oxley, and quarterly reporting. In order to navigate in this new world, the chief financial officer is central to the IPO process and the ongoing business of being public. As “principal financial officer” a seasoned and experience public company CFO charts the course for the company in dealing with the analysts, and managing shareholder, institutional and retail investor relations. The catch is that the stock of candidates with the combination of public-company and real estate experience is skimpy, at best. I expect that as the REIT market expands we are going to see more CFOs from outside of the real estate industry. This is problematic for many executives who view industry knowledge as a critical component of the CFO job description.

Tony LoPinto is a senior client partner and head of Korn//Ferry International’s Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

Job Opportunities LOCATE A JOB

WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS
Vice President of Asset Management
(DALLAS) The firm seeks an executive that can re-engineer a scalable customer support and operations division and spearhead business innovation and process improvement throughout our operational divisions. The candidate must have 10 years of operations with an emphasis in process development/process reengineering in an asset management setting.

GRUBB & ELLIS
Vice President, Investor Finance
(SANTA ANA, CA) This positions is responsible for strategizing with the head of asset management and MD, structured finance to determine goals and initiatives for investor finance. They are also responsible for implementing and overseeing investor finance objectives and strategic projects on behalf investment management and our clients.

GREYSTAR INVESTMENT GROUP
Director of Development
(AUSTIN, TX) The director supports the execution of the company’s development platform by orchestrating the entire development process from start to finish. This includes overseeing all aspects of land acquisition and due diligence, preparing appropriate documents to facilitate the underwriting and closing of real estate transactions, managing a team of third party consultants through project design, and monitoring the construction process to ensure projects are built in a timely manner, designed according to plan and within budget.

LOWE ENTERPRISES
Property Assistant
(ARLINGTON, VA) The property assistant must be a first-level portfolio invoice processor. Duties include responding to all vendors regarding payables questions/issues and monthly tracking utilities invoices and sending copies to the building’s chief engineer.

THE LYND CO.
Regional Association Manager
(MIAMI) The regional association manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of a portfolio of properties in an efficient and value enhancing manner that is consistent with the overall strategic plan for each property.

AMERICAN REALTY ADVISORS
Senior Acquisition Officer
(LOS ANGELES) Candidates must have least 10 to 15 years of commercial real estate experience, with at least five years of recent institutional investment experience. Those with additional career exposure to portfolio management, asset management, development and/or appraisal are preferred.

ARBOR COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE, LLC
Closing Coordinator
(NEW YORK CITY) The main function of this position will be the timely closing and delivery of multifamily and commercial transactions. Duties include: coordination of the closing process including preparation of closing and funding documentation.

HEI HOTELS & RESORTS
Manager of Corporate Finance
(NORWALK, CT) The manager, corporate finance will contribute significantly to the execution of a wide variety of corporate finance functions, as well as the day-to-day management of hotel investments. They will be responsible for directly assisting the vice president, corporate finance and chief financial officer across all areas of corporate Finance.

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