Associate, Acquisitions

Title: Associate, Acquisitions

Reports to: Vice President, Acquisitions (2), dotted line to Managing Director   

Location: Boston, MA

Company Overview:
Our client is a real estate focused private equity firm that invests in a wide variety of opportunistic and value-oriented commercial real estate transactions where the conditions exist for compelling absolute returns over a short and medium duration. The firm invests throughout the United States in single property transactions and multiple property portfolios whereby the investment strategies are based on property-level operational enhancements as well as those with pricing advantages that arise from distressed, complex, and dislocated scenarios. The firm’s investments are structured in numerous capital forms including direct investments, joint venture equity, preferred equity, mezzanine loans, and transitional first mortgages. Since 1993, the firm has invested in more than $21 billion of commercial real estate on behalf of a diversified and highly regarded group of endowments, foundations, public and corporate pension plans, financial institutions, family offices, and sovereign entities.

Position Overview:

The Associate is a crucial member of the acquisition deal team, this position is responsible for the overall performance of acquired assets and the value-add investment strategy. The Associate is involved with investments from the time they are identified as potential acquisitions, through underwriting, closing, operational enhancement, and eventual sale. Prior to acquisition, the Associate will work closely with the deal team on the evaluation of a prospective investment and its underwriting. After acquisition, the Associate will provide support as needed with the asset’s joint venture partner/borrower and the assigned asset manager on the execution of the investment strategy established at acquisition.

Key Responsibilities:

The firm institutes a “cradle-to-grave” investment management philosophy and is seeking an Associate who will play an active role in the origination team providing underwriting support for new equity and debt transactions for the firm’s various investment funds. The Associate will work as part of a deal team throughout the project lifecycle of an asset providing analytical support to evaluate and track investment performance. Primary responsibilities will include the following:

• Support and collaborate with senior acquisition personnel on analytical and transactional aspects of an acquisition, including due diligence, market research, and creation of investment committee materials.

• Contribute to the preparation and evaluation of Argus files and sophisticated Microsoft Excel models for underwriting investment opportunities and reporting to senior management on the viability of potential acquisitions and/or development opportunities across asset classes.

• Ability to integrate multiple scenario analyses to determine pro forma sensitivity.

• Assist team members in preparing and writing presentation materials, term sheets, and other documents associated with the firm’s acquisition and investment activities.

• Assist in data aggregation and market research across industry trends, deal review, and new business relationships.

• Support in the preparation of financial management reports focused on variances to underwriting, valuation analysis, cash flow projections, and other financial reports and presentations as required.

• Understand capital and investment structure, including investment analysis principles such as IRR’s, Discounted Cash Flows, Cash on Cash Returns, and Levered and Unlevered Returns.

 Qualifications:

• Candidates should have broad-based analytical skills, superior capabilities in cash flow modeling, sound research abilities and outstanding communication skills.

• A Bachelor's degree is required, with a preference for candidates concentrating in real estate, finance and/or accounting.

• Approximately 2 to 5 years of related post-undergraduate experience preferred.

• Exceptional financial analysis and modeling skills utilizing Microsoft Excel and Argus. Proficient in additional MS office programs including Word and PowerPoint.

• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively meet deadlines.

• Team player with the ability to work independently and under pressure in an entrepreneurial environment.

• Working knowledge of joint venture partnerships and various investment structures.

• Outstanding level of attention to detail, accountability, integrity, and ethics.

• Self-motivated, energetic, and positive individual with strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels.