Job Description
Asset Acquisition & Development Specialist – Distressed CRE (Urbana Systems & Urbana IQ)
100% REMOTE
Preferred locations: Austin, TX, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX.
Real Estate Developers: potential preferred joint venture agreements
Compensation: High Comp and top benefits
Role Overview
Urbana Systems (www.urbanasystems.com) is entering an acquisition phase of distressed CRE buildings across the USA.
Urbana IQ (www.urbanaiq.com) is evaluating 133 distressed CRE buildings nationwide for data-center-mesh grade mixed-use conversion.
- A dual-track acquisition role focused on sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and securing distressed commercial real estate assets. The position supports:
- Urbana Systems – distressed CRE acquisition for adaptive reuse projects, beginning in Texas
- Urbana IQ – national-scale acquisition of distressed CRE buildings suitable for advanced data center conversion, including structures with unique engineering characteristics.
- Core Responsibilities
- Identify and secure distressed CRE assets aligned with Urbana Systems’ mixed-use conversion criteria and Urbana IQ’s high-density compute, supercomputer-ready specifications.
- Develop and manage pipeline of property owners, brokers, lenders, special servicers, and receivers.
- Lead property research: financial review, condition assessment, encumbrances, zoning, environmental, and engineering suitability.
- For Urbana IQ: assess building feasibility for AI-grade power, floor loading, redundancy, and mesh-node deployment.
- Negotiate acquisition terms, manage LOIs, coordinate with counsel, and support transaction execution through closing.
- Build strategic relationships to expand deal flow, including institutional sellers, banks, and CRE operators.
- Support cross-functional deal teams (finance, engineering, A&E, development).
- Represent the organization in BD meetings, industry events, and seller presentations.
- Contribute to acquisition strategy and help shape the emerging national acquisition team.
- Required Skills
- Demonstrated track record acquiring distressed CRE assets (bank-owned, special servicer, receivership, off-market).
- Strong business development, networking, and sales capabilities.
- Expert negotiation and deal-structuring skills.
- Ability to evaluate financial viability and value-add potential.
- Familiarity with adaptive reuse, heavy-infrastructure retrofits, and data-center-suitable buildings is preferred.
- Capable of independently generating qualified opportunities and closing transactions.
- Qualifications
- 5+ years in CRE acquisitions, special situations, distressed assets, or related fields.
- Strong underwriting and due-diligence experience.
- Experience negotiating with institutional sellers is advantageous.
- Understanding of engineering constraints (power, cooling, load-bearing limits) is a plus.
- Work Environment
- 100% remote role with nationwide deal travel as needed.
- Compensation
- High-pay model: approximately 2× the national average compensation for comparable roles.
- Top nationwide benefits.
- Project-based structure: compensation tied to each acquisition project, with additional performance incentives as the portfolio scales.
- Equity participation may be considered for top performers.
- Team Formation
- Urbana Systems and Urbana IQ are assembling a specialized national acquisition team. Multiple roles will be filled as pipeline volume expands.
Must-have qualifications
· Are you willing to undergo a background check, in accordance with local law/regulations?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have a valid driver's license?
Ideal answer: Yes
· We must fill this position urgently. Can you start immediately?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you comfortable working in a remote setting?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have experience acquiring distressed commercial real estate assets?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you worked with special servicers, lenders, or receivers on distressed transactions?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you previously worked in a role requiring direct business development?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have experience negotiating with institutional CRE sellers?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you familiar with zoning, environmental, or engineering factors that impact CRE redevelopment?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you participated in transactions involving complex title or encumbrance issues?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have experience working with cross‑functional teams during acquisition processes?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you been responsible for generating your own deal pipeline?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you able to travel to properties nationwide as needed?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you assessed buildings for power, cooling, and structural load requirements?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have experience buying assets on a project‑based or commission‑structured model?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you interested in joining a team with high compensation tied to performance and project execution?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have a proven ability to source off-market CRE opportunities?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you negotiated LOIs or purchase agreements for CRE acquisitions?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have underwriting experience for adaptive reuse or value‑add projects?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you closed at least one distressed CRE deal in the past 24 months?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you familiar with financial distress indicators such as NPLs or CMBS special servicing?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Do you have experience conducting property due diligence for large commercial assets?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Have you evaluated buildings for heavy equipment or data‑center‑grade infrastructure?
Ideal answer: Yes
· Are you comfortable leading seller and broker outreach independently?
Ideal answer: Yes
· What's your average deal size in millions?
Ideal answer: 5Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.
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