Kevin Scelfo has left the $203bn (€136bn) New York City Pension and Retirement Systems to join Greystar Real Estate Partners.

Scelfo, who had been managing a $17bn real estate portfolio for five New York City pension funds, has been hired to manage Greystar’s global multifamily funds and to develop its “relationships with key partners”.

Greystar, which is an established multifamily investor in the US, has been expanding in recent years as it seeks to become a global residential investment platform. Last month, the company teamed up with Henderson Park to acquire a £101m development site in London.

“Greystar remains committed to attracting and retaining the industry’s best talent, and Kevin’s hire is a clear reflection of this strategy,” said Chris MacNaughton, senior managing director of portfolio management at Greystar.

“His extensive experience managing real estate investment portfolios for large institutions and investment managers will play a pivotal role in supporting the continued growth of our global investment management platform.”

Scelfo oversaw the value-add and opportunistic real estate investments at the bureau of asset management at the Office of the New York City Comptroller, including fund investments, separate accounts and co-investments.

Before that he led the real estate investment portfolio for the $5bn endowment of the New York Presbyterian Hospital.