Descripción de la oferta
Business Development / Loan Origination - Lending Associate / Lending Director
(Bridging Finance – Madrid)
About Onate
Onate is a fast-growing real estate bridge lender operating across Ireland and Spain. We provide short-term real estate finance to property developers and investors, with typical use cases including refurbishment, developer exit loans and “fix-and-flip” opportunities. Our lending spans residential, mixed-use, and commercial property.
What sets Onate apart is our absolute focus on speed and certainty: delivering borrowers a fast “yes” or “no” and following through at pace. We target issuing terms within 24 hours of receiving a loan proposal, and regularly close loans within two weeks of terms being agreed.
The business was founded by three serial entrepreneurs with a proven track record, having previously built multiple companies, including two now listed on the London Stock Exchange. Their vision is to establish Onate as a market-leading bridge lender in the Spanish market.
Launched in 2021, Onate has already achieved this in Ireland, where it has completed over 350 loans and secured its position as the market leader. Onate opened its Madrid office in early 2024 and to date has originated over 50 loans in the Spanish market.
Onate has multiple funding lines - including a large international bank - providing both diversity of capital and significant scalability.
You can read more about Onate through our regularly updated blog here .
The Opportunity
We are hiring an experienced and well-networked lending professional to support our Spanish growth. This role is focused on the origination of bridging loans, either direct or via brokers. This role reports directly to the Group Head of Credit and will be key to our relationships with the broker and borrower community in Spain.
Property entrepreneurs and investors are our typical borrowers, along with small and medium-scale developers. Experience with this group is important. The candidate will be comfortable quickly analysing deals, negotiating terms, and following up on opportunities.
Pace and reputation is everything in this space. So we’ll support your success by making quick decisions and always following through on what we say.
Depending on experience and track record, we expect to appoint at Associate or Director level.
This role is based in our Madrid office on Paseo de la Castellana, the heart of the city’s business district. The office reflects the vibrant energy of a fast-growing entrepreneurial company and is home to our talented and close-knit Spanish team.
While the role is primarily office-based, we recognise the importance of flexibility and are happy to support periods of remote working where needed - for example, during the summer months.
The role also involves travel across Spain to meet borrowers and visit assets as required. These visits are usually manageable within a single day, meaning overnight stays are rarely necessary.
At Onate, we believe high performance comes from working smart, not simply working long hours. We foster a culture of efficiency and accountability - pushing hard when it matters, but avoiding unnecessary late nights or weekends.
Team spirit is central to who we are. We meet regularly for team events, enjoy working together through the highs and lows, and celebrate successes as a group. With rapid growth driven by the initiative and commitment of our people, there’s a high‑energy atmosphere across every part of the business.
Candidate Profile
5+ years experience in real estate lending or credit, familiar with the full life cycle of a property-backed loan.
A track record of originating loans in an alternative lending or banking environment.
Strong understanding of Spanish property law and valuation standards.
Skills
Commercial mindset with strong business development skills.
Highly networked within the Spanish real estate and lending market.
Excellent written and spoken Spanish and English.
Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-moving, scaling environment.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development
Sourcing and progressing bridging lending opportunities within Spain.
Communicating our lending criteria and helping foster a positive reputation in the market.
Heavy outbound activity, with many phone calls to brokers and borrowers, as well as travel across the country for in‑person meetings.
Present clear, decisive loan proposals to the Underwriting Director and Group Head of Credit & Spain.
Ongoing feedback on our processes, proposition and positioning to maximise deal flow.
Relationship Management
Maintain and grow relationships with key market participants: brokers, valuers, lawyers, notaries, and institutional partners.
Promote Onate’s “fast yes or no, and follow through at pace” culture in every borrower and partner interaction.
Process & Culture
Champion entrepreneurial problem solving.
Provide continuous feedback on systems, products, and positioning to enhance efficiency and market fit.
Embrace our high-performance culture, using technology for clear, regular communication.
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