Director, Asset Management (Toronto)

Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. ("DGAM") is a diversified financial services company that serves the needs of clients ranging from private clients to institutions. Guardian Capital Real Estate Inc. manages the Guardian Capital Real Estate Fund ("GCREF"), a limited partnership, which focuses on investing in direct real estate across Canada. GCREF has an open-ended structure and the principal objective of the Fund is to generate stable and accretive income returns with corresponding capital appreciation. Guardian Capital Real Estate Inc. also manages the GC Opportunities Real Estate Fund ("GC Opp Fund"), a limited partnership, which focuses on investing in value-add real estate across Canada. GC Opp Fund has a closed-ended structure and the principal objective of the Fund is to maximize IRR returns. Guardian’s clients include pension plans, endowments, family offices and high net worth individuals.

Based in Toronto, the Director, Asset Management will be directly responsible for overseeing the operations and performance of the commercial real estate properties in the GC Opp Fund portfolio. The Director, Asset Management will work closely with internal Asset Coordinators as well as key third party stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to maximize the portfolio’s returns by executing on each asset’s strategic plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Planning:
  • Preparing annual strategic asset management plans for each asset, monitoring the plans and reporting them to the rest of the Team; and
  • Working with internal Asset Coordinators to develop leasing plans, capital budgets and operating policies and procedures for each individual asset.
• Operations:
  • Monitoring the assets and Asset Coordinators by way of regular meetings, reviewing appropriate reports as required and managing all leasing activity, major expenses, capital programs and any other special projects;
  • Developing leasing strategies based on an ongoing review of market conditions and communicating expectations to Asset Coordinators;
  • Managing the Fund’s leverage to enhance the asset-level and portfolio-level returns;
  • Conducting in office reviews of the assets, including tenant visitations, on a regular basis, and at least quarterly.
• Reporting:
  • Reporting as required to the rest of the Team, summarizing significant activity;
  • Managing property cash flow and distributions monthly and quarterly;
  • Reviewing third party appraisals and providing recommendations to the Vice President, Asset Management;
  • Completing the quarterly reports for review by the Vice President, Asset Management;
  • Reporting as required and on a timely basis to the Vice President, Asset Management, including asset overview, leasing, operations and capital.
• Other Duties:
  • Assisting the Team as required in managing GCREF’s assets;
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Business
• Minimum of 5 years relevant real estate experience
• Thorough understanding of all asset classes and markets in Canada
• Strong fiduciary orientation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships
• Strong time management skills with an ability to work autonomously while managing tight deadlines and competing priorities
• Ability to resolve problems using facts and sound reasoning while achieving goals using a strategic approach
• Strong skills in Excel and Word; working knowledge of Argus an asset
• Bilingual candidates preferred (English & French)

COMPENSATION

The base salary range is expected to be between $120,000 - $140,000, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus.