Acquisitions Analyst

Waterton Search • Chicago, IL

9h • $70,000 - $100,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Acquisitions Analyst is an integral, highly visible member of Waterton’s Investment team. The role assists the Acquisitions Department with the financial analysis, evaluation, and presentation of investment opportunities in line with client-specific and general firm investment criteria. The analyst supports acquisition and disposition underwriting, due diligence, investment committee preparation, lender packages, investor requests, and collaboration across Investment, Capital Markets, Research, Investor Relations, Portfolio, Risk Management, Operations, and Construction teams.

The position is suited to a detail-oriented, analytical professional who can build and verify financial models, assess investment risks, synthesize information from multiple sources, and communicate findings to colleagues and senior leadership. The role also offers opportunities to learn market fundamentals and build relationships with the local brokerage community.

Waterton describes a hybrid work environment based on business or position needs. The typical base salary hiring range is $70,000–$100,000 per year, plus bonus program participation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required, preferably in business, finance, mathematics, real estate, or a related field.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly technical and analytical approach, with the ability to make quick decisions based on fact-based analysis.
• Ability to absorb substantial information from different team members and distill it into key takeaways and action items.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Ideally 1–3 years of progressive real estate investment or consulting experience in development, acquisitions, or similar roles.
• Financial modeling experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cash flow and valuation analysis for potential acquisition opportunities.
• Perform financial modeling, including scenario and sensitivity analysis, sources and uses, discounted cash flows, and promoted and carried interests.
• Conduct due diligence, prepare underwriting models, and help identify and mitigate investment risks.
• Prepare investment committee materials, including investment memoranda, rent comparables, and sale comparables.
• Present prepared investment committee materials to senior leadership as requested.
• Ensure the accuracy of models used.
• Work with the Capital Markets team to prepare lender packages for acquisitions and refinancings.
• Work with senior acquisition officers to learn market fundamentals and begin networking with local brokerage professionals.
• Work with the Research team to understand apartment supply and demand in markets, submarkets, and micro-markets relevant to potential acquisitions.
• Assist the Investor Relations team with investor RFPs and fund modeling as requested.
• Support Investment, Capital, and Operations teams in managing due diligence, including coordinating internal and third-party due diligence teams and information.
• Compile financial analyses and diligence, and work with Operations and Construction to complete underwriting of potential acquisitions.
• Work with Portfolio and Risk Management teams to ensure accurate underwriting of real estate taxes and insurance.
• Evaluate divestment scenarios, provide divestiture recommendations, and support Investment and Operations during the disposition process.
• Complete special projects and ad hoc assignments as requested.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and incentive program participation.
• Medical, dental, life, and disability benefits.
• Pet insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Generous paid time off, volunteer time off, and paid holidays.
• Internal and external training through lifelong learning plans, with consideration for tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts and wellness initiatives, including an onsite gym.
• Hybrid work environment based on business or position needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level