Financial Analyst / Stock Picker

CC Head Office - Construction; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A real estate and development firm is seeking a Commercial Real Estate Financial Analyst to join its Quantitative Department. The successful candidate will perform financial modelling and analysis to support investment decisions across various asset classes, including hospitality and retail. Key responsibilities include managing financial models, analyzing portfolio performance, and preparing RICS-compliant valuations. Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background in finance and exceptional quantitative skills, thriving in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Strong numeric aptitude and analytical mindset required.
• Proficient in financial modelling and statistical inference.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage financial models for acquisitions and developments.
• Analyze portfolio performance metrics and cash flow statements.
• Assist in preparing RICS-compliant valuations and market research.

Skills

High Numerical Aptitude

Problem Solving Ability

Quantitative, Mathematical or Statistical Background

Excellent Communication Skills

Teamworking and Interpersonal Ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or related field

Job description

Company: Criterion Capital Limited

Job Title: Commercial Real Estate Financial Analyst

Location: London, United Kingdom

Department: Quantitative Department

About the Company

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Criterion Capital is a real estate and development firm. Our portfolio spans across residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use assets. Focusing on sustainable growth and establishing long‑term value creation across our entire portfolio. By managing the entire lifecycle of our assets; acquisition, design, construction and development, operations and retention, we ensure that every project aligns strategically with the company’s vision and delivers on added value. Currently our portfolio oversees £9 Billion+ in assets, with rapid expansion across UK and Europe.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Analyst to join our quantitative department within a leading capital allocator and developer focused on commercial real estate. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting investment decisions, portfolio management, and development projects across hospitality, retail, leisure, and mixed‑use assets.

Value & Trait Profile

• Conscientiousness
• Continuous Learning / Curiosity
• Critical Thinking
• Adaptability / Resilience
• Communication / Teamwork

Preferred Adopted Skillset

• High Numerical Aptitude
• Problem Solving Ability
• Quantitative, Mathematical or Statistical Background
• Teamworking and Interpersonal Ability
• Advanced numerical aptitude with strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and team‑working skills, able to collaborate across multidisciplinary departments with differing skill sets.
• Ability to work independently, form objective conclusions, and propose data‑driven solutions.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, investment‑driven environment.
• Effective at managing multiple priorities and maintaining attention to detail under pressure.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Financial Modelling and Analysis
• Portfolio and Asset Performance
• Debt and Treasury
• Investor and Lender Reporting
• Investment Cases
• Hedging Strategies
• CRE Underwriting
• Commercial Acquisitions
• Residential Acquisitions
• Conversion Efficiency of Assets with Expenditure in Development Ventures
• Operational Efficiency of Assets
• Identifying underperforming Assets
• Exploring different methodologies for appraising real estate assets.
• Gross Development Appraisals and Return Analysis
• Feasibility Studies
• Statistical and Quantitative Analysis and Modelling

Financial Analysis & Modelling

• Build and maintain detailed financial models for acquisitions, developments, and asset management initiatives.
• Build and maintain detailed financial models for capital structuring, capital deployment and debt service.
• Build and maintain Risk Models associated with Capital Expenditure, Operational Expenditure, Revenue generation, downside cost exposure.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis on key variables within our operational arm (ADR, occupancy, rent stress, capex).
• Prepare IRR, NPV, and feasibility summaries for development projects.
• Conduct rigorous financial analysis and modelling of real estate assets and development ventures, including profitability simulations, value at risk (VaR), cost analysis with probability influence, and sensitivity analysis of outputs.
• Evaluate investment opportunities using quantitative and qualitative methods to assess: Risk profiles of assets and investments, viability, entry capitalisation rates, exit capitalisation rates, Internal rates of return (IRR), Opportunity Costs and long‑term financial sustainability (Holding Period).
• Develop functional and statistical cashflow forecasts, market volatility assessments and earning with growth potential projections.
• Utilise statistical techniques to analyse historical and current market data, asset operational data to predict trends and inform of potential investment strategies.
• Provide insight into the volatility of costs and revenue streams, informing on potential financial risks and mitigation solutions.

Portfolio & Asset Performance

• Analyse operating performance metrics (Occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, NOI, GOPPAR).
• Review asset‑level P&L, cash flow statements, and NOI bridges.
• Support preparation of portfolio dashboards and performance reports.

Appraisal Valuation & Market Research

• Assist in preparing RICS‑compliant valuations and reviewing assumptions.
• Benchmark assets using STR reports and market comparables.
• Monitor macroeconomic trends and sector‑specific KPIs.

Debt & Treasury Support

• Maintain debt schedules and covenant compliance trackers (LTV, DSCR, ICC).
• Support hedging analysis and treasury reporting.
• Preparation of Hedging strategies for Interest and Utility (commodity) risk.

Investor & Lender Reporting

• Compile institutional data packs covering corporate, financial, and operational metrics.
• Prepare presentations and reports for investment committees and external stakeholders.

Development Oversight

• Monitor the implementation of feasibility, capital structuring and deployment against budgetary benchmarks
• Monitor planning status, programme timelines, and capex lifecycle plans.

Internal & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Liaise with the Development Department to translate design intent into quantifiable cost metrics.
• Present analytical findings to stakeholders in clear, actionable formats.
• Foster a learning culture within the organisation by sharing insights, mentoring junior analysts, and contributing to thought leadership.

Practice, Procedure and Objectivity

• Ensure rigor and objectivity is upheld in all aspects of financial and investment analysis.
• Adhere to best practice and industry standards in the commercial departments, financial reporting and investment evaluation.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, precision, transparency and accountability within the commercial and investment teams.
• Continuously review internal processes and methodologies to optimise decision making ability and efficiency.

A Commitment to Continuous Professional Development

• Learning, professional and personal development should all be considered a high priority with this candidate.
• Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, raw material markets and regulatory changes affecting real estate investment.
• Foster a learning culture within the organisation by sharing insights, mentoring junior analysts, and contributing to thought leadership.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Commercial Real Estate Finance and Investment or similarly qualified discipline with comparable work experience and exposure to circumstances which demand performance, precision, and application of learnt experience to find solutions relating to sensitive matters.
• Strong numeric aptitude, problem solving ability, and analytical mindset.
• Proficient with financial modelling and statistical inference, and the use of data visualization tools.
• Strong data interpretation and quantitative reasoning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and team‑working skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments with differing skill sets.
• Ability to work independently, and form objective conclusions, and propose suitable solutions aligned with business objectives.
• Principled and value oriented, with a commitment to integrity.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• High level of IT and digital literacy.
• Manage multiple priorities effectively
• Familiarity with ISO 31000 (Risk Management), ISO 9001(Quality Management), and ISO19650 (Information Management for built Environment).

Compensation: Competitive salary