Director of Real Estate Debt Strategy

Company Description

Johnson Development Associates, Inc. (JDA) is a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, multi-division national real estate developer that is committed to delivering excellence. We are driven by our Guiding Principles of Integrity, Partnership, Humility, Principled Entrepreneurship, Initiative, and Fulfillment, and we believe the key to our continued success and growth is our ability to identify, hire, onboard, and develop highly talented people.

JDA is currently searching for a full-time Director of Real Estate Debt Strategy in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A description of the position and requirements are listed below.

Position Summary

Johnson Development Associates is seeking an experienced professional to oversee Real Estate Debt Strategy across the Johnson Group. This individual will be responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously optimizing a comprehensive debt strategy across the platform. This role requires a deep understanding of real estate capital markets, risk management, and financing structures, as well as the ability to operate both strategically and tactically across multiple entities.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisor to senior leadership and investors on all real estate debt strategy matters
• Develop and recommend a comprehensive, platform-wide debt strategy aligned with long-term investment objectives and market conditions
• Quantify, analyze, and continuously monitor The Johnson Group’s aggregate real estate debt exposure across all affiliated entities
• Define global risks within the real estate debt portfolio and develop actionable solutions to mitigate those risks
• Design and execute interest rate hedging strategies, including ongoing monitoring and optimization
• Maintain and cultivate high-level relationships with key lending partners, including banks, debt funds, and institutional capital providers
• Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of existing financing products and structures; proactively identify all available financing products and implement new structures where appropriate
• Partner closely with CFOs across JDA and OTO to translate strategic direction into tactical execution at the asset and portfolio level
• Provide ongoing insight into capital markets trends, financing opportunities, and relative value across debt products

Required Education and Experience

• 5-8+ years of experience in real estate finance
• Proven experience managing debt strategy across multiple asset types, portfolios, or platforms
• Deep expertise in loan structures, capital markets, and interest rate risk management
• Experience designing and executing hedging strategies (e.g., swaps, caps, collars)
• Strong financial modeling and portfolio management skills
• Ability to communicate with senior leadership and operate across multiple organizations
• Demonstrated expertise in managing senior-level relationships with lenders and capital providers
• Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to think strategically and embody a high level of individual initiative
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, evolving, and non-structured work environment
• Proven ability to self-direct work initiatives and solve problems independently
• Represent The Johnson Group in a positive and professional manner
• Maintain a high regard of confidentiality for company information

Equal Opportunity Employer

JDA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. JDA complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent an expressed or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter your at-will employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.