Director, Loan Brokerage

Overview

Arbor Realty Trust is expanding its best-in-class Loan Brokerage platform and is seeking a high-performing Director, Real Estate Loan Brokerage to help drive the next phase of growth. This leadership role is ideal for an experienced commercial real estate finance professional who combines strong underwriting and capital markets expertise with the ability to lead transactions, develop client relationships, and mentor junior team members.

The Director will operate at the intersection of underwriting, credit, and capital markets—working directly with senior broker, originators and lenders to structure and execute debt and preferred equity placements. This role is intentionally demanding and offers accelerated exposure to live transactions, sophisticated financing structures, and decision-makers across the capital stack.

What You'll Do

• Lead the structuring and execution of complex commercial real estate financing transactions across multifamily and other commercial property types.
• Lead institutional-grade underwriting of commercial real estate transactions, with a focus on multifamily and structured finance executions
• Analyze borrower credit, sponsorship quality, and capital structure with a lender’s risk lens
• Structure and position transactions for execution across a wide range of capital providers (CMBS, banks, debt funds, agencies, life companies)
• Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional lenders, debt funds, banks, life companies, agencies, and other capital providers.
• Guide the preparation of offering memoranda, underwriting packages, investment presentations, and lender marketing materials.
• Analyze capital markets, lending trends, and market conditions to inform financing strategies and execution.
• Partner with senior leadership to enhance brokerage processes, improve operational efficiency, and support the continued growth of Arbor's Loan Brokerage platform.
• Assist with business development initiatives by cultivating new client relationships and identifying opportunities for repeat business.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in commercial real estate finance, loan brokerage, investment banking, lending, underwriting, debt placement, or capital markets.
• Experience with a commercial bank, debt fund, agency lender, mortgage banking platform, or institutional brokerage firm preferred.
• Strong knowledge of commercial real estate debt products, including agency, bridge, balance sheet, CMBS, construction, mezzanine, and preferred equity financing.
• Advanced financial modeling and underwriting skills with expertise in Excel and commercial real estate valuation methodologies.
• Deep understanding of property-level cash flow analysis, borrower credit evaluation, capital structures, and loan sizing.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex transactions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills with the ability to interact effectively with borrowers, lenders, attorneys, and senior executives.
• Proven ability to mentor junior professionals while maintaining high standards of execution and accountability.

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree or industry designation is a plus.

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. offers a competitive base salary and discretionary bonus. The starting base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $215,000. The specific compensation that will be offered is based on an understanding of the hired candidates' qualifications at the time of hire. Employees are eligible for a discretionary bonus based on employee work performance reviewed during the course of the year. The total compensation package for this position will also include other elements, a full range of medical, and/or other benefits including 401(k) eligibility and paid time off benefits.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment for our associates, customers and business partners. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, ethnicity, pregnancy or any other legally protected status. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.