Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. ("Crestpoint") is a leading commercial real estate investment management firm offering investors direct access to high-quality commercial real estate assets and mortgage investment opportunities. The company's diversified portfolio encompasses office, industrial, retail, and multi-family properties, ensuring a balanced and resilient investment approach.

Crestpoint is part of Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. (“CC&LFG”), a multi-boutique asset management firm whose affiliates collectively manage over $127 billion in assets on behalf of institutional investors, individuals and advisors.   The firm has offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Greenwich, London and Gurugram.

Overview of the COO Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced COO reporting directly to, and working closely with, the President/CEO. As a key member of the leadership team, the COO will engage with all functional groups within Crestpoint, including Investments, Asset Management, Development, Financing, and Client Service, with the latter function reporting directly to them. Additionally, the COO will serve as the primary contact for the CFO and accounting team within their partner organization, CC&LFG

The successful candidate will be responsible for enhancing operational systems, processes, and policies to achieve greater information accuracy, streamlined workflow, consistent execution, transparent communication, and effective collaboration across the entire Crestpoint business.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure that the company has the proper operational controls, administrative policies and reporting procedures, and information systems in place to effectively execute the company’s strategies, regularly reviewing and improving as required, and in doing so maximizing performance on behalf of the Firm’s investors.
• From a holistic perspective, identify areas for process and system improvement and the optimization and/or simplification of workflows, minimizing obstacles to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the Firm and the respective functional groups.
• Work collaboratively with the respective Heads (and other members) of Crestpoint’s various functional groups in the development and implementation of policies and procedures and operational controls (collectively “best practices”), ensuring compliance with same, to drive information accuracy and efficiency and effectiveness of decision making and execution.
• Manage the interface with CC&LFG operations teams including back office, middle office, systems, including the annual internal cost allocation process, preparation of Crestpoint’s budget and Business Continuity Planning.
• Collaborate with CC&LFG to define Crestpoint’s information management systems and needs and provide oversight of CC&LFG execution.

Compliance & Financial Management:

• Oversight of financial statements, partner distributions and board books for Crestpoint’s corporate entities, and oversight of the financial statements of the Funds which are prepared by the CFO and 10-person accounting team within CC&LFG.
• Oversee production of quarterly Advisory Committee package.
• Participate in Investment Committee meetings.
• Develop and maintain the Crestpoint Policy and Procedures manual and generate, approve, and execute quarterly client Compliance Statements.
• Ensure compliance with Fund/product documents (LPA, Subscription Agreements, etc.) and management agreements including Co-Ownership, Asset Management, Development Management, etc.

People Management & Leadership:

• Act as the primary point of contact for the CC&LFG Human Resources team, which provides support to Crestpoint.
• Development and maintenance of HR policies and practices, and collaboration with leaders across Crestpoint on their implementation.  This includes coaching, mentoring, professional development, and performance review programs.  It also includes hiring and terminations, onboarding, compensation frameworks and promotion criteria. 
• Oversee and approve Crestpoint’s involvement in charitable activities and donations. Ensure that the company’s philanthropic efforts align with its values and community engagement strategies.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the office, ensuring that all functional and space requirements are met. This includes overseeing office logistics and coordinating workspace arrangements.

Client Service Expertise:

• Manage the Client Service Function, including a reporting line from Crestpoint’s Director of Client Relations.
• Primary contact with CC&LFG’s Sales team, so that the sales process is well managed.  The COO may not be the person who presents at final pitches, but they are responsible for managing the process.
• Oversee the creation and updating of marketing “pitch package” and “client update” content and other promotional materials prepared by the CC&LFG Marketing Team.
• Oversight of new client documentation (Subscription Agreements, FATCA, etc.).

Qualifications and Requirements:

The ideal candidate will possess extensive and diversified experience in operations within reputable real estate investment and/or operating firms cultivated over a career spanning 15 years or more. The ideal candidate could also have a background from an adjacent sector to real estate, having developed their expertise within a reputable asset management firm. They should demonstrate a proven track record of effectively leading and collaborating with investment professionals across various functional domains.

In addition to their investment management background, the COO's agility and capacity to thrive in a dynamic and evolving setting, while prioritizing crucial business initiatives and projects, will be pivotal. This involves effectively engaging with functional team leaders and other pertinent internal and external stakeholders.

Performance & Personal Capabilities:

• Investment Operations Management: Experience managing complex investment operations for private and/or public markets, streamlining business processes, and driving operational efficiencies in a fast-paced environment.
• Third-Party Management Experience: Third-party investment management in a fiduciary environment, and hands-on experience with vertically integrated asset and property management businesses.
• Organizational Skills: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to multi-task and implement creative, innovative performance improvements through technology or behavioral changes.
• Change Management: Demonstrates a proactive approach to change management, with the ability to effectively communicate the need for change, facilitate its implementation, and ensure organizational readiness and resilience throughout the process.
• Critical and Candid: Ability to critically and objectively evaluate ideas and issues, adept at candidly and straightforwardly addressing difficult topics.
• Hands-On Leadership: Comfortable with a hands-on approach, leading by example, driving initiatives, meeting deadlines, and spearheading new efforts with urgency.
• Team Player: Effective collaboration with colleagues, sharing ideas, and working towards common goals in an environment built on trust, honesty, and respect.
• Team Building and Leadership: Proven ability to build, lead, and support strong teams, motivating others, embracing continuous improvement, and maintaining exceptional integrity with a risk management mindset.
• Client Focused: Advocate for the company’s positive image both internally and externally, accountable for decisions, and conduct oneself respectfully and ethically.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Demonstrate entrepreneurialism and ownership in daily tasks, showing creativity and resourcefulness in achieving results.
• Core Values Alignment: Embody Crestpoint’s core values (client-focused, accountability, respect, entrepreneurial spirit, and teamwork).
• Confident Leadership: Confident leader capable of challenging and defending positions respectfully, building and articulating a shared vision for the future.
• Problem-Solving and Accountability: Strong problem-solver with critical thinking skills, instilling trust and confidence, showing initiative, driving issues to closure, and holding oneself and others accountable.
• Technology Driven: Ability to create an operations and technology vision that understands the changing business environment and how operations/IT can create a competitive advantage.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Track record of transparent and collaborative work with other team leaders, effectively managing stakeholder expectations.
• Communication Skills: Strong presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills, both oral and written.

You are the ideal candidate if you:

• Exhibit strong attention to detail and a tangible result orientation.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Showcase leadership and a “company first” mentality.
• A curious professional who challenges the status quo and asks questions to understand business needs and drive value.
• Thrive in a high-performance environment.
• Communicate effectively and build relationships internally and externally.
• Work in a collaborative and transparent manner.
• Accountability and drive to help the organization achieve its goals.
• A positive team player who can build cross-functional relationships.

If you're interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity and being considered as a candidate, please reach out directly to Leah McGillivray Palko (LPalko@brileyfin.com) and/or Zehra Siddiqui (ZSiddiqui@brileyfin.com).