Jesse

Jesse is Head of Global Real Estate Credit and Head of Capital Markets. Based in the New York office, he oversees our worldwide credit investment and capital markets initiatives for real estate. Additionally, he provides support for our real estate equity strategies in the Americas. 

Outside of work, Jesse prioritises spending time with his loved ones and indulging in his passion for food. He and his wife initially bonded over their shared interest in the hospitality industry while studying together in college, but their career paths eventually diverged. Nevertheless, they still enjoy exploring new restaurants and travelling together. As a dedicated father, Jesse is also actively involved in raising his two young children. He understands the importance of maintaining both his mental and physical health, and thus, makes a conscious effort to stay active by hitting the gym or engaging in sports with his friends at least three times a week. 

Why did you decide to join GIC?

While I did not know much about GIC at the time, my impression was that they had a large balance sheet and a wide and flexible mandate. When I joined, the Real Estate team in the New York office was still very small, made up of just six investment professionals. However, the team was highly intelligent, and the work environment was ideal for learning, with responsibilities that exceeded what I would have expected at my level of experience. 

Over the last 15 years, our team has grown in size and strength.  We have strong and nimble underwriting, investment, and operational processes. Our leaders provide significant autonomy and provide clearer guidelines for risk management. Our market reputation is strong, with a broad network of relationships.  Additionally, we have been able to attract top-notch talent to build a world-class team. In the asset management industry, success often breeds more success, creating a virtuous cycle. Fortunately, GIC has benefited from this dynamic. 

What does your typical workday look like?

There is never a dull moment in my workday, as I juggle many tasks and responsibilities. On an average day, I assess roughly five investment opportunities and asset management actions, engage in five to six conversations with counterparties (including at least one or two new contacts), and communicate with team members across our offices in New York, San Francisco, London, and Singapore on management items. I also carve out some time for investment strategy and addressing ad hoc process or operational issues. At times, I get busier if I am on the road meeting partners or conducting market or site visits, which typically happens at least once a month. 

I spend my pockets of free time reading. GIC provides access to great materials to keep up to date on market activities. I always request internal and external counterparts to forward me anything good they may find. Additionally, I rely on a dozen close relationships in the real estate space who offer valuable perspectives.  I try to speak with them at least once per month to help challenge my thinking. 

What do you like most about working here?

We are fortunate to have access to impressive thought leaders within the industry through our internal and external partnerships. This unique access provides us with unparalleled visibility into the market, creating an environment that is ideal for learning and personal growth. 

We are presented with opportunities to work on meaningful projects, such as the take-private of STORE Capital, an internally managed net-lease REIT that invests in Single Tenant Operational Real Estate. This was a particularly complex project as it was one of the largest M&A transactions in the US real estate market. However, it exemplified GIC’s ability to execute at scale in areas where we have high conviction. 

A project that has been particularly fulfilling for me is developing the real estate credit business. I took over US coverage in 2015 and have since taken on a global role overseeing our Europe and Asia Portfolios. In that time, the strategy’s assets under management have grown by more than 10 times, and we have a strong track record of successful investments. Today, our platform is considered one of the top real estate credit investment platforms, with substantial market reach and influence. 

How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?

At GIC, we truly embody the spirit of being a learning-driven organisation that goes above and beyond to invest in our staff. Our learning and development programmes, rotation opportunities, and training courses are nothing short of remarkable and offer critical opportunities for career and capability building. I strongly encourage all employees to take advantage of these opportunities, as they can truly make a difference in your professional growth and success. 

What you should know before joining GIC

If you are just starting out in your career and are hungry for knowledge and hands-on experience, I believe there is no other company that presents a better value proposition. However, to fully benefit from the opportunities GIC provides, it requires proactive involvement and significant dedication.