Investment Analyst, Real Estate

Prime Finance; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Prime Finance, a Chicago-based real estate credit investment platform, seeks an Analyst for its Strategic Capital Solutions team. The role focuses on research, underwriting, and monitoring of real estate investments across major U.S. markets.

The Analyst will support investment opportunities from due diligence through closing, build detailed financial models, and contribute to asset management activities to optimize asset performance. Strong communication and Excel/Argus skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of full-time real estate or real estate finance experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex financial analysis.
• Experience with CRE valuation, credit underwriting, and market analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist Strategic Capital Solutions with investment review, due diligence, closing, and management.
• Develop financial models, cash flows, scenario analyses, investment sizing, and waterfalls.
• Coordinate with third‑party vendors for due diligence and underwriting review.
• Prepare investment committee materials and communicate risks to senior management.
• Support asset management activities including monitoring operations and risk.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Financial analysis

Financial modeling

Valuation/underwriting

Market analysis

Real estate market knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

AI-assisted analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/real estate

Tools

Excel

Argus

PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Prime Finance

155 N Wacker Drive, Suite 3600

Chicago, IL

Job Id:277

# of Openings:1

About Prime Finance:
Prime Finance, founded in 2008, is a well-established, diversified commercial real estate credit investment platform with more than $15 billion in assets under management. Prime Finance has two primary lending strategies that structure financing solutions ranging in size from $10 to $200+ million with teams in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York that originate loans and provide capital across the commercial real estate spectrum. In addition to our lending programs, Prime Finance is an active investor in investment grade and below-investment grade CMBS both at original issuance and on the secondary market.
Prime Finance Strategic Capital Solutions (“SCS”):
SCS invests across the capital stack with an emphasis on dislocated capital structures backed by commercial real estate across the United States. SCS originates customized capital solutions via stretch senior, subordinate and mezzanine loans, participating debt and preferred equity, and opportunistic rescue capital and joint venture equity investments to stabilize or reposition assets. SCS also acquires sub‑or non‑performing debt and debt‑like instruments in the secondary market. The SCS strategy is capitalized through a dedicated series of discretionary closed‑end private equity funds with dedicated investment and asset management teams in Chicago and New York.
Job Summary:
The Analyst will be a key member of the Strategic Capital Solutions Investment Team, which originates and structures debt and equity investments across all property sectors with a primary focus on major U.S. markets.
The position will be responsible for supporting the Strategic Capital Solutions team with all aspects of the investment or asset management processes with a primary focus on research, analysis, underwriting, and monitoring of various real estate‑related investment opportunities. The Analyst position will also play a key role in the due diligence, closing, and ultimate asset management of Strategic Capital Solutions investments made by Prime.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Strategic Capital Solutions team with all aspects of investment opportunity review, due diligence, closing, and investment management/business plan execution
• Participate in the assessment and structuring of investment opportunities by critically evaluating the merits and risks of the investment through the development of financial metrics, models, and sensitivities;
• Support and coordinate with third‑party vendors on due diligence, data collection, and credit/underwriting review;
• Assist in the preparation of comprehensive investment committee materials and communicate conclusions and investment risks to senior management for approval during Investment Committee and other periodic portfolio reviews.
• Build and maintain complex financial models, including cash flow projections, scenario analyses, investment sizing, and bespoke returns waterfalls
• Analyze operative legal documents and term sheets to ensure alignment with underwriting assumptions and deal objectives
• Support interactions with Legal, Capital Markets, Accounting, and Compliance as needed;
• Assist the Asset Management function with aspects of business plan execution and investment management, including monitoring property operations to support proactively reducing risk and strengthening asset performance
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications:

• 1 to 2 years of full-time, working experience in real estate, real estate finance, or a related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an ability to present complex financial analysis
• Experience with commercial real estate valuation, credit underwriting, and market analysis
• Familiarity with multiple property types such as office, multifamily, retail, and lodging
• Exceptional financial modeling skills in Excel required with proficiency in Argus (Argus certification preferred)
• Technical and aesthetic mastery of PowerPoint
• Proficiency in utilizing industry research resources and collecting and organizing key data
• Ability to leverage various internal AI resources responsibly, utilizing sound judgement to accelerate analysis and improve accuracy of overall work product/deliverables
• Familiarity with operating characteristics of real estate projects (revenue, expenses, capital expenditures, tenant credit, lease structures, etc.)
• Strong work ethic and an ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously and proactively execute responsibilities without direct oversight
• Desire to join an entrepreneurial team and grow along with the Special Situations platform
• Problem-solving attitude and team player

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of every activity, duty, or responsibility that is required of the employee for this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change

The expected annual base salary range for this role is $87,500 - $130,000. Actual base salary will be determined by several components, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skills and qualifications, base salary of internal peers, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and a variety of financial, wellbeing, and health / welfare benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Prime Finance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.