DIRECTOR, PRIVATE MARKETS - REAL ESTATE & REAL ASSETS

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Chicago Office - Chicago, IL 60606Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 Salary/yearAbout Cresset

Cresset is a firm built by clients, for clients. As an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm, we are reimagining the way wealth is experienced. Our purpose is to help ensure that both wealth and life are fully optimized—integrated, intentional, and aligned with each client’s vision of success.

We provide access to the caliber of talent, ideas, and investment opportunities typically available to the largest single-family offices and institutions. Our approach is personalized, entrepreneurial, and client-first.

Proudly owned by our clients and employees, Cresset was built to endure. We are creating a 100+ year firm—one focused on delivering an exceptional experience, not only for the families we serve but for the team that serves them. Recognized by Barron’s  among the nation’s top RIA firms, and as one of the industry’s best places to work,* Cresset is guided by long-term relationships, shared success, and a belief that wealth should serve a life well lived.

Role Overview

Cresset is seeking a highly motivated Director, Private Markets to join our dynamic private investments team, with a primary focus on private real estate and real assets due diligence. This role offers the opportunity to work across a diverse range of private investment strategies, with a primary focus on creating unique access points through funds, co-investments and other structures that help the platform leverage the scale for the end clients’ benefit.

As part of a rapidly scaling platform, this role plays an integral role in evaluating, underwriting, executing, and monitoring investments, while gaining direct exposure to senior professionals, investment committees, and external partners. This role is well suited for a candidate with strong real estate investing and analytical experience who is eager to build a long-term career in private real estate and real assets with meaningful professional growth and upside.

At Cresset, you will be part of a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial drive. As an Director, you will gain direct exposure to differentiated private investment opportunities, contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes, and help develop a durable career path in private real estate and real assets investing.

We are open to hiring this role in Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX.

Key Responsibilities

Origination & Deal Flow: Support the real estate investment process by screening opportunities, evaluating pipeline, coordinating diligence requests, and advancing actionable deals.
Diligence & Analysis: Conduct in-depth market, sector, sponsor, fund- and asset-level research, and build comprehensive financial, valuation, and transaction models.
Underwriting & Execution: Analyze cash flows, capital structures, return sensitivities, and prepare investment committee materials to support recommendations.
Transaction Management: Help drive diligence workflows from initial review through closing, coordinating with internal and external parties.
Portfolio Monitoring: Assist in managing a portfolio of private real estate funds including quarterly analysis, performance reporting, and other ongoing activities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with senior team members and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of transactions and portfolio management activities.

QualificationsQualifications

Real Estate Skill Set: Strong understanding of real estate markets, valuation methodologies, capital structures, real estate diligence materials, and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations.
Experience: 5+ years of transaction-oriented experience in private real estate, real assets, or a related investment role, with preference for candidates with prior institutional real estate investment or brokerage experience.
Education: Undergraduate degree with outstanding academic achievement.
Technical Skills: Advanced financial modeling expertise in Excel, with the ability to build and interpret detailed transaction models, including property- and fund-level underwriting, cash flow analysis, and scenario testing.
Mindset: Exceptionally curious, resourceful, and self-motivated, with a strong personal interest in private real estate and real assets.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas to internal and external stakeholders.
Professionalism: Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

What We Offer:

At Cresset, we focus on people first. As a service business, our people are our assets. Engaging our clients and employees is our highest priority.  Starting base salary range: $150,000 - $200,000.  Salary will be based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, licenses/certifications, industry knowledge, and geographic location. Cresset offers a competitive compensation package including an annual incentive and a benefits package to all full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, health savings accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, voluntary critical and accident insurance, and pre-tax parking and transportation programs. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Cresset to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, or related conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. It is Cresset’s policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.

Everything Starts With Culture.

Our Vision

We exist to optimize wealth and elevate life—giving clients the time, clarity, and trusted partnership to pursue what matters most.

Our Values

*Disclosures related to awards, recognitions, and rankings available here.

Cresset refers to Cresset Capital Management, and all its respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Cresset Asset Management, LLC, also conducts advisory business under the names of Cresset Sports & Entertainment, CH Investment Partners, and Cresset Capital. Cresset provides investment advisory, family office, and other services to individuals, families, and institutional clients. Cresset also provides investment advisory services to investment vehicles investing in private equity, real estate, and other investment opportunities. Cresset Asset Management, LLC is an SEC registered investment advisor. SEC registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training.