Title: Associate, Credit

Location: Toronto, ON Job Type: Permanent, full-time

Foremost Financial is looking for an experienced loan underwriter to join a stable and growing private real estate debt and equity firm. Foremost specializes in lending against complex construction projects, and acquiring properties opportunistically across real estate asset classes and geographies. The work is fast paced and exciting. As we are a small and flat organization, there is an opportunity to gain a broad range of skills and experiences.

About the Role:

Foremost is looking for a personable, highly organized, and detail-oriented Associate, Credit to join the Credit team. In this role, you will adjudicate, underwrite, and prepare loans for funding. Candidates must enjoy dealing with people, have strong analytical skills, and have the ability to juggle and organize many tasks at the same time. The role reports directly to the Associate Director, Credit.

Some of the regular tasks required include:

• Ensure consistent and sound risk assessments, as well as a high level of customer service;
• Review broker/borrower information packages, evaluate and analyze information and prepare underwriting models to support potential mortgage investments, extensions, renewals, and amendments, within our loan parameters;
• Order, engage, collect and analyze third party materials, including appraisals, environmental assessments, building condition reports, insurance consulting reports, tenant leases, and monthly project monitor reports;
• Interacts with borrowers and brokers directly, and enhance client relationships by providing prompt and courteous service to our client base;
• Maintains positive relationships with external partners such as mortgage insurers, appraisers, engineers, title insurance companies, and solicitors;
• Maintain a close contact with other departments to ensure a strong working relationship is established;
• Stay current with the latest industry knowledge, competition, and market data and trends;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Commerce, or Real Estate, or similar;
• 4+ years of construction mortgage underwriting experience or relevant work experience in real estate, or finance;
• Understanding of the real estate market and ability to analyze complex commercial, construction, and residential lending opportunities;
• Ability to take ownership of tasks by working proactively to solve issues;
• Keen sense of organization, planning, and prioritizing: Uses structured work methods, establishes priorities, sets deadlines, and manages time effectively;
• Ability to interact with and manage clients;
• Exceptional attention to detail;
• High degree of professionalism and a positive and professional attitude;
• Good Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills;
• A desire and willingness to learn.