Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Analyst

Job title: Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Analyst

Type of employment: Full-time

Shift Schedule: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Pacific time

High-Level Summary

The Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Analyst will remotely support a U.S.-based commercial real estate development firm in sourcing, evaluating, and executing industrial and retail real estate investments across the Western United States.

This role requires strong financial underwriting, market research, transaction support, and commercial real estate analysis capabilities. The successful contractor will work closely with the Director of Acquisitions and other U.S.-based stakeholders throughout the investment lifecycle, from initial opportunity review and underwriting through due diligence, transaction execution, and select asset management activities.

About the Client

The client is a privately held commercial real estate development firm headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.

The company focuses on the development, redevelopment, repositioning, and acquisition of commercial real estate assets throughout the Western United States. Its portfolio primarily consists of modern industrial properties and experiential and grocery-anchored retail assets.

The firm manages approximately 1.4 million square feet of developed and repositioned assets, with an additional 870,000 square feet of developments in its pipeline.

As a vertically integrated developer, the company manages projects throughout the full real estate lifecycle, including:

• Site acquisition
• Financial underwriting
• Entitlement
• Design and development
• Construction oversight
• Leasing
• Transaction execution
• Ongoing asset management

Company Core Values

• Capital efficiency
• Effective risk mitigation
• Disciplined and conservative investment practices
• Clearly defined return and covenant parameters
• Collaboration with capital partners, lenders, brokers, consultants, and other stakeholders
• High performance and accountability
• Entrepreneurial thinking
• Strong ownership and initiative

Objective of the Role

• The Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Analyst will support the sourcing, evaluation, underwriting, and execution of industrial and retail real estate investment opportunities.
• The contractor will provide accurate financial analysis, market intelligence, due diligence support, transaction documentation, and reporting to help the acquisitions team make informed and timely investment decisions.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite potential commercial real estate acquisitions using detailed financial models.

Prepare sensitivity analyses and calculate key investment return metrics, including:

• Internal Rate of Return
• Equity Multiple
• Yield on Cost
• Cash-on-Cash Return
• Development and acquisition returns

• Review and analyze property-level financial information, including operating statements, rent rolls, lease information, capital expenditures, and development assumptions.
• Conduct market and submarket research for industrial and retail properties.
• Analyze comparable property sales, rental rates, vacancy levels, market trends, and other relevant real estate data.
• Prepare clear summaries of market research findings and investment opportunities.
• Assist with due diligence by organizing, reviewing, and tracking third-party reports and transaction documents.
• Coordinate virtually with brokers, consultants, lenders, attorneys, and internal team members to obtain required information and documentation.
• Summarize material findings, potential risks, outstanding items, and recommended follow-up actions.

Support transaction execution by assisting with:

• Letters of Intent
• Purchase and Sale Agreements
• Due diligence checklists
• Closing requirements
• Transaction timelines
• Document and data-room management

• Prepare investment committee materials, underwriting summaries, deal memoranda, presentations, and executive-level reports.
• Maintain accurate acquisition pipeline trackers, deal databases, financial models, and transaction status reports.
• Support select asset management activities, including financial performance tracking, budget comparisons, leasing analysis, and property-level reporting.
• Assist the acquisitions team with identifying marketed and off-market investment opportunities.
• Conduct outbound email and phone outreach to property owners, brokers, and other real estate professionals when required.
• Maintain accurate records of owner, broker, and third-party communications.
• Manage multiple active opportunities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy, organization, and timely follow-through.
• Participate in virtual meetings with the Director of Acquisitions and other U.S.-based stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates regarding assigned deals, underwriting progress, outstanding information, and potential risks.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 1–3 years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Commercial real estate acquisitions
• Real estate investment analysis
• Investment sales
• Commercial real estate finance
• Asset management
• Real estate underwriting
• Strong commercial real estate financial modeling skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to build, review, and update detailed financial models.
• Working proficiency in ARGUS Enterprise or a comparable commercial real estate underwriting platform.
• Strong understanding of real estate investment metrics and valuation concepts.
• Ability to analyze property financial statements, rent rolls, lease information, comparable sales, and market data.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with U.S.-based brokers, lenders, attorneys, consultants, property owners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions, assignments, and deadlines in a fast-paced remote environment.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong sense of ownership.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication with the U.S.-based team.
• Availability to work a schedule that provides sufficient overlap with U.S. Pacific Time business hours.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting a U.S.-based commercial real estate company.
• Experience underwriting industrial or retail real estate assets.
• Prior experience evaluating grocery-anchored, experiential retail, core, core-plus, or value-add properties.
• Experience supporting acquisitions throughout the full transaction lifecycle.
• Familiarity with commercial real estate due diligence and closing processes.
• Experience preparing investment committee memoranda or deal presentations.
• Experience with asset management reporting and property-level financial analysis.
• Experience conducting owner outreach, broker outreach, or off-market deal sourcing.
• Familiarity with commercial real estate research platforms, databases, and transaction-management tools.