Reporting to:
Chief Investment Officer
Role overview:
The Associate will support real estate acquisitions, development, and capital markets initiatives by leading core analytical workstreams, contributing to investment strategy, and preparing high-quality investment materials.
Key responsibilities:
Financial modeling and underwriting
Take ownership of financial modeling for real estate acquisitions and development projects
Create and manage underwriting models and support analysts in developing independent proformas
Investment strategy:
Lead defined components and analytical contributions to Merit’s investment strategy under the direction of the CIO
Investment and capital markets materials:
Prepare high-quality investment committee and investor presentations with minimal supervision
Provide guidance to analysts in assembling investment-related books, binders, and supporting materials
Compile and manage investment-related documentation, including underwriting, capitalization, and diligence files
Due diligence:
Independently contribute to quantitative and qualitative due diligence for prospective investments
Support the CIO and Capital Markets team in leading diligence processes, including organizing and managing diligence data rooms and documentation
Market research:
Maintain a strong understanding of real estate market dynamics
Apply market insights to evaluate investment opportunities
Sourcing and business development:
Contribute to sourcing business development meetings
Maintain or oversee documentation related to lender and investor outreach
Pipeline management:
Manage and update the investment pipeline database
Provide regular pipeline updates to senior leadership
Administrative support:
Take meeting notes and assist with ad hoc projects as needed
Experience requirements:
4 to 6 years of direct experience in real estate acquisitions, development, or investments
Proven experience conducting quantitative (NOI, cash flow, ROI, IRR, equity multiple) and qualitative due diligence
Direct experience with real estate investment waterfall structures across multiple property types
Skills and professional requirements:
Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to provide guidance to junior team members
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
High level of discretion and confidentiality with sensitive projects
Collaborative mindset with ability to work independently and within a team environment
Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented
Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and strategic-thinking capabilities