Associate, Acquisitions

Keller Augusta; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Keller Augusta, a Boston-based private equity real estate firm, seeks an Associate to support the Investment Team in evaluating acquisitions, developing business plans, and due diligence. You will produce memos, analyze markets, underwrite grocery-anchored centers, and assist in financing and reporting to partners.

Strong Excel, Argus, and PowerPoint skills are essential for presenting findings to investors.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in commercial real estate investment, asset management, portfolio management, or investment banking.
• Retail investment experience strongly preferred, particularly with grocery-anchored or neighborhood shopping centers.
• Prior exposure to real estate preferred; strong candidates from adjacent financial disciplines will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed projections of net operating income and cash flow using financial modeling software (Excel/ARGUS).
• Preparation and presentation of detailed memos to the Investment Committee and investors for approval of potential transactions.
• Perform competitive and demographic research to assess real estate trends, identify investment prospects, and aid the Firm's strategic processes and work plans.
• Underwrite grocery-anchored and neighborhood retail centers, including evaluation of anchor and in-line tenant credit, grocer sales and occupancy costs, rollover exposure, and merchandising mix.
• Identify and evaluate value-add opportunities such as re-tenanting, outparcel development, remerchandising, and physical repositioning of shopping centers.
• Conduct due diligence on potential acquisitions. Assist in acquisition closings process and the acquisition financing process.
• Design, develop and implement financial and business plans for real estate opportunities from acquisition through post-acquisition/development activities and asset management.
• Analyze and summarize leases, including retail-specific provisions such as CAM recoveries, percentage rent, exclusives, and co-tenancy clauses, contracts, term sheets, and other agreements necessary in real estate transactions.
• Oversee and participate in the creation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for investors and senior management.
• Participate in the valuation process of each asset on a quarterly basis, working with analytics team and consultants.
• Provide regular written and oral status reports and ad hoc reports on request.

Skills

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, real estate

Tools

Argus

Job description

Our client is a Boston-based, vertically integrated private equity real estate firm with approximately $6.3 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2015, the firm acquires and operates infill logistics assets and grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers in major U.S. markets, supported by regional offices across the country. Alongside its flagship commingled fund series, the firm has built a dedicated specialty grocer investment platform, now in its third fund, focused on acquiring high-quality shopping centers anchored by top-performing grocers that reflect the surrounding neighborhood and serve as gathering places for their local communities. The firm selects investments and value creation strategies through an analytical process that incorporates key drivers impacting the global supply chain, demographic shifts, and consumer spending patterns, and focuses on high-potential target markets identified through its extensive operating experience and proprietary market selection framework.

Position Overview:

Our client is currently seeking an Associate that will be based in the Boston headquartered office. This position will provide direct assistance to the various members of the Investment Team in supporting the Acquisitions function in the following areas: evaluating potential acquisitions and lease transactions, producing internal and external investment memorandums, developing business plans, assisting in the due diligence process, drafting internal, investor and lender presentations and evaluating the local markets to identify changes and trends and the related impact on real estate values and investment strategies. The Associate will contribute to the foundation of their high-performing team by contributing their professional skills and experience to the analysis, due diligence, and management of real estate assets. Associates work closely with the Partners and other team members in support of the firm's industrial and retail strategies, with a primary focus on grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare detailed projections of net operating income and cash flow using financial modeling software (Excel/ARGUS).
• Preparation and presentation of detailed memos to the Investment Committee and investors for approval of potential transactions.
• Perform competitive and demographic research to assess real estate trends, identify investment prospects, and aid the Firm's strategic processes and work plans.
• Underwrite grocery-anchored and neighborhood retail centers, including evaluation of anchor and in-line tenant credit, grocer sales and occupancy costs, rollover exposure, and merchandising mix.
• Identify and evaluate value-add opportunities such as re-tenanting, outparcel development, remerchandising, and physical repositioning of shopping centers.
• Conduct due diligence on potential acquisitions. Assist in acquisition closings process and the acquisition financing process.
• Design, develop and implement financial and business plans for real estate opportunities from acquisition through post-acquisition/development activities and asset management.
• Analyze and summarize leases, including retail-specific provisions such as CAM recoveries, percentage rent, exclusives, and co-tenancy clauses, contracts, term sheets, and other agreements necessary in real estate transactions.
• Oversee and participate in the creation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for investors and senior management.
• Participate in the valuation process of each asset on a quarterly basis, working with analytics team and consultants.
• Provide regular written and oral status reports and ad hoc reports on request.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in commercial real estate investment, asset management, portfolio management, or investment banking.
• Retail investment experience strongly preferred, particularly with grocery-anchored or neighborhood shopping centers.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, real estate, or a related quantitative field.
• Prior exposure to real estate preferred; strong candidates from adjacent financial disciplines will be considered.

Skills:

• Advanced Excel proficiency, including the ability to build, stress-test, and maintain multi-scenario financial models.
• Experience with Argus preferred.
• Strong PowerPoint skills; able to translate complex analysis into clean, executive-ready presentations.
• Compensation will be based on experience and include a bonus and benefits.