Senior Associate / Vice President

Cobalt Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment in London is partnering with an independent real estate investment and advisory firm to appoint a Senior Associate or Vice President.

Working directly with the founding partners, you will originate, structure and execute investment and advisory transactions, taking ownership of day‑to‑day execution and senior client relationships.

This hands‑on role sits in a lean, experienced team, offering substantial autonomy and direct involvement throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of relevant experience in real estate investment banking, corporate finance, structured finance or principal investment.
• Proven track record of completing transactions with clear ownership.
• Strong valuation, capital-structure analysis and financing strategy.
• Advanced financial modelling linking property cash flows to operating performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with corporates, sponsors, property owners, investors, lenders and intermediaries to originate investment opportunities and advisory mandates.
• Lead underwriting across property valuation, corporate and tenant credit, operating performance and cash flow.
• Build and challenge financial models covering financing structures, debt service, rent affordability, investor returns and downside scenarios.
• Structure acquisitions, financings and joint ventures across senior and subordinated debt, preferred equity and ordinary equity.
• Manage transactions from initial assessment through due diligence, negotiation, documentation and completion.
• Arrange and negotiate acquisition financing and refinancing.
• Prepare and present investment papers, financing proposals and client presentations.
• Support business planning, hold/sell analysis and value‑creation initiatives across existing investments.

Skills

Real estate investment banking

Corporate finance

Financial modelling

M&A

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or related field

Job description

Real Estate, Principal Investments and M&A

Cobalt Recruitment is partnering with an independent real estate investment and advisory firm to appoint a Senior Associate or Vice President in London.

Combining principal investment with M&A advisory, the firm structures and executes complex real estate transactions alongside institutional capital partners. Its work includes sale-and-leasebacks, recapitalisations, restructurings, joint ventures and investment platform creation across the UK and Europe.

The opportunity

Working directly with the founding partners, you will originate, structure and execute investment and advisory transactions. You will take ownership of day-to-day execution, develop senior client relationships and contribute to the firm’s investment and portfolio strategy.

This is a hands‑on position within a lean, experienced team, offering substantial autonomy and direct involvement throughout the transaction lifecycle.

Key responsibilities

• Develop relationships with corporates, sponsors, property owners, investors, lenders and intermediaries to originate investment opportunities and advisory mandates.


• Lead underwriting across property valuation, corporate and tenant credit, operating performance and sustainable cash flow.


• Build and challenge financial models covering financing structures, debt service, rent affordability, investor returns and downside scenarios.


• Structure acquisitions, financings and joint ventures across senior and subordinated debt, preferred equity and ordinary equity.


• Manage transactions from initial assessment through due diligence, negotiation, documentation and completion.


• Arrange and negotiate acquisition financing and refinancing.


• Prepare and present investment papers, financing proposals and client presentations.


• Support business planning, hold/sell analysis and value‑creation initiatives across existing investments.

Candidate requirements

We’re looking for 5-8 years of relevant experience in real estate investment banking, corporate finance, structured finance or principal investment.

You will bring:

• A demonstrable track record of completed transactions, with clear personal responsibility for execution.


• Strong corporate finance judgement, including business and asset valuation, capital structure analysis and financing strategy.


• Practical experience structuring and negotiating complex financings.


• Advanced financial modelling skills, connecting property cash flows with the performance of the underlying operating business.


• The credibility to engage with senior clients, business owners, CFOs and institutional investors.


• Evidence of developing relationships and identifying opportunities that lead to transactions.


• An entrepreneurial approach and the ability to work autonomously while remaining closely involved in detailed analysis and execution.

Experience in sale-and-leasebacks, special situations, recapitalisations or cross‑border investments would be particularly valuable. Candidates who have combined corporate finance or M&A experience with subsequent real estate lending or investment experience are also encouraged to apply.