Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.
The Real Estate Advisory Practice is part of Ankura’s Strategic Finance business group, one of the firm’s five strategic business groups
About Ankura Real Estate Advisory (AREA)
Ankura Real Estate Advisory (“AREA”) provides independent, specialist, and strategic advice to clients holding stressed, sub-performing, and non-performing real estate debt across all asset classes. Leveraging a globally integrated team across the US, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, AREA delivers tailored solutions spanning single-asset situations through to complex, multi-jurisdictional portfolios and capital structures.
Our work extends beyond the underlying real estate to include offshore structures, shareholder dynamics, and capital stack optimisation - ensuring holistic and value-maximising outcomes for clients.
Why Join Ankura?
Opportunity to build and shape a high-growth platform within a leading global advisory firm
Direct exposure to complex, high-profile real estate situations
Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with global reach and resources
Clear pathway to partnership and long-term value creation
Role Overview
We are seeking a Managing Director to play a pivotal role in building and scaling our EMEA Real Estate Turnaround & Restructuring platform from London.
This is a front-office, revenue-generating leadership role, combining origination, client leadership, and execution oversight. The successful candidate will be responsible for expanding the firm’s presence with financial institutions, alternative lenders, private equity, and special situations investors.
You will work closely with global leadership to drive strategy, win mandates, and deliver complex advisory assignments across distressed and special situations in real estate.
The Impact You Will Make
Originate and lead revenue generation across distressed real estate and special situations mandates in EMEA
Build trusted relationships with senior decision-makers across banks, debt funds, servicers, and investors
Shape and execute the growth strategy for the EMEA platform in close alignment with global leadership
Lead the delivery of complex, high-value mandates, ensuring excellence in execution
Act as a connector across Ankura’s global practices, bringing integrated solutions to clients
Identify emerging market trends and translate them into new business opportunities and solutions
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Revenue Generation
Develop and execute a clear origination strategy targeting financial institutions, lenders, and investors
Build and maintain a strong personal pipeline of advisory mandates
Leverage existing relationships while actively expanding network across EMEA
Lead pitch processes and convert opportunities into profitable engagements
Client Leadership
Act as a senior trusted advisor to clients facing complex stressed/distressed real estate situations
Navigate and influence senior stakeholders, including lenders, sponsors, and boards
Lead negotiations and strategic discussions across multi-party restructuring scenarios
Execution Oversight
Provide strategic direction and oversight across engagements, including:
Loan portfolio reviews and restructuring strategies
Distressed asset and portfolio disposals
Capital structure advisory and recapitalisations
Ensure delivery of high-quality, timely outputs leveraging advanced analytics and tools
Collaborate with internal experts (valuation, insolvency, tax, forensic, etc.)
Leadership & Platform Building
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing EMEA team
Work closely with US and AsiaPac colleagues to drive cross-border collaboration
Contribute to practice development, including thought leadership and market positioning
Foster a performance-driven, entrepreneurial culture
Requirements
Experience & Track Record
Proven track record of revenue generation within real estate advisory, restructuring, or special situations
Significant experience advising on distressed or stressed real estate debt and assets
Established relationships with financial institutions, credit funds, and/or real estate investors
Demonstrated ability to originate and lead multi-million-pound advisory mandates
Technical Expertise
Deep understanding of:
Real estate valuation methodologies
Debt structures and capital stacks
Distressed transactions, restructurings, and workouts
Strong analytical and financial modelling capabilities
Familiarity with data tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
Credentials
Strong academic background
Relevant professional qualification (e.g., CFA, ACA, ACCA, MRICS) preferred
Leadership & Personal Attributes
Entrepreneurial mindset with a builder mentality
Strong presence and credibility with senior stakeholders
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-paced, and unstructured environments
Collaborative, globally minded, and culturally adaptable
Additional Requirements
Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email [email protected] or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.
