Director of Equity Capital Markets / Investor Relations (Real Estate) (Chicago)
Melrose Ascension Capital (MAC) is a Chicago-based private equity real estate development and investment firm focused on multifamily and mixed-use opportunities across Chicago and select markets throughout the United States. Founded by Nick Melrose in 2019, MAC has quickly established itself as one of Chicago’s fastest-growing and most active real estate developers. Today, MAC’s portfolio encompasses more $400 million of institutional-quality multifamily developments, 1,000 units, and one million square feet , with a robust pipeline of additional projects underway. The firm partners with leading global capital investors and leverages deep industry expertise, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a relationship-driven approach to identify and execute compelling investment opportunities. MAC’s platform spans three complementary areas: Institutional Ground-Up Development: Multifamily and mixed-use development across high-growth markets. Co-GP Investment Platform: Credit enhancements, co-GP investments, and executional support for real estate sponsors and partners. Strategic Private Equity: Investments in subcontracting, construction, and other real estate-related businesses. With a track record of developing and acquiring more $1 billion in real estate , MAC is entering its next phase of growth to continue challenging the industry status quo and build a differentiated, vertically integrated investment platform. The firm’s Midwestern roots shape a culture grounded in hard work, long-term relationships, community, and creating greater accessibility to high-quality real estate opportunities. The Opportunity: The Director of Equity Capital Markets will lead MAC’s equity capital formation, investor relations, and capital networking efforts across the firm’s real estate development portfolio, co-GP platform, and strategic investments. This is a highly entrepreneurial and relationship-driven role for a seasoned capital markets professional who can engage credibly with sophisticated investors while also possessing the initiative and business-development skills to build relationships from the ground up. The ideal candidate will bring a deep and active network of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, institutional investors, private equity firms, investment managers, and other private capital sources , along with a demonstrated ability to continually expand that network. Working closely with MAC’s senior leadership, the Director will develop and execute capital formation strategies, identify and cultivate prospective investors, structure fundraising campaigns, and ultimately drive capital into MAC’s projects and investment opportunities . Key Responsibilities: Equity Capital Formation Develop and execute tailored fundraising strategies for individual projects, portfolios, and broader investment vehicles. Build, manage, and convert a pipeline of prospective equity investors from initial outreach through closing. Develop and maintain relationships with family offices, high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, private equity funds, RIAs, wealth managers, and other private capital sources. Identify new sources of equity capital while developing long-term relationships with repeat investors. Partner closely with MAC leadership, legal counsel, lenders, and other advisors throughout the capital formation process. Assist in evaluating and structuring investment opportunities, including investment vehicles, economics, return profiles, and investor positioning. Co-GP Platform Help build and scale MAC’s co-GP investment platform by sourcing both capital partners and prospective GP/co-GP opportunities. Develop relationships with real estate sponsors, developers, operators, investment managers, and capital partners. Identify opportunities where MAC can serve as a strategic capital, operating, and execution partner. Lead investor outreach and capital formation efforts for co-GP investments and related vehicles. Help position MAC as a trusted, value-added partner across the real estate capital markets ecosystem. Strategic Investments Support capital formation and investor development for MAC’s investments in subcontracting, construction, and other strategic businesses within the real estate ecosystem. Identify prospective investors and strategic partners for platform-level investments. Evaluate opportunities through both an investment and capital-markets lens. Develop relationships with owners, operators, entrepreneurs, and financial sponsors across the construction and subcontracting sectors. Investor Relations Serve as a senior point of contact for MAC’s existing and prospective investors. Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with the firm’s investor base. Provide consistent and thoughtful communication regarding investment opportunities, portfolio performance, distributions, and future opportunities. Develop investor presentations, fundraising materials, investor updates, and other capital-marketing materials in partnership with MAC leadership and external advisors. Develop and institutionalize a scalable investor-acquisition and relationship-management process. Networking & Business Development Represent MAC at industry conferences, private investor events, real estate forums, dinners, and other high-level networking opportunities. Proactively cultivate relationships with individuals and institutions capable of becoming long-term sources of capital. Leverage existing relationships while continuously expanding MAC’s broader capital network. Create strategic introductions and business-development opportunities across the real estate, finance, construction, and investment communities. Serve as a highly visible ambassador for MAC within the private-capital ecosystem. Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is an exceptional relationship builder and accomplished capital markets professional with a proven ability to raise private capital and develop meaningful, long-term investor relationships. This individual will combine strong financial and investment acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset, commercial instincts, and the ability to independently originate opportunities and relationships. Required Qualifications 8 years of relevant experience in equity capital markets, private equity, real estate private equity, investment banking, capital raising, fundraising, investor relations, or a related field. Demonstrated success raising significant amounts of private capital. Deep existing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, institutional investors, private equity firms, or other sophisticated sources of capital. Strong understanding of real estate investment structures, development economics, joint ventures, preferred equity, common equity, and waterfall structures. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills. Strong business-development instincts with a demonstrated ability to originate relationships independently. Highly organized and capable of managing multiple fundraising processes and investor relationships simultaneously. Strong financial acumen and the ability to understand, evaluate, and communicate investment underwriting. Strong academic background , preferably from a highly regarded undergraduate institution and/or graduate program. Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, integrity, and sound judgment. Preferred Qualifications Established relationships with Chicago-based, national, and foreign family offices and private investors. Experience working with institutional real estate investors and/or private equity firms. Experience with co-GP investments, GP capital, or sponsor-level investments. Established relationships within the construction, subcontracting, and broader real estate operating communities. CFA, MBA, JD, or other relevant advanced degree is a plus. What Success Looks Like: Within the first 12-24 months , the successful candidate will: Build a robust, measurable pipeline of prospective equity investors. Establish meaningful relationships with a broad network of family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional capital sources. Build a scalable and institutional-quality investor relations and fundraising infrastructure. Help expand MAC’s co-GP platform through both capital and relationship origination. Expand MAC’s investor network beyond individual transactions into long-term strategic capital partnerships . Establish MAC as a differentiated and increasingly recognized platform within the private-capital ecosystem. Become a key member of MAC’s senior team and a primary driver of the firm’s external growth. Compensation: MAC offers a competitive base salary complemented by a significant performance-based incentive structure tied to capital raised and broader firm-level results . Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience, network, demonstrated fundraising capabilities, and overall value to the firm. The Candidate We Are Looking For: This is not a traditional investor relations position . MAC is seeking an entrepreneurial, highly con
