Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing – Associate, Acquisitions

15 MS Investment Mgmt., Inc.; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing is seeking a full‑time Associate on the West Coast Acquisitions team to support a broad range of investment activities in core/core‑plus, net lease and opportunistic strategies. The role focuses on underwriting, execution, and market analysis.

Ideal candidates have 4–6 years in real estate investing and strong modeling skills, including Argus or Enterprise, with excellent communication and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with strong academic record.
• 4–6 years in real estate investing, lending, development, brokerage, or investment banking.
• Advanced real estate financial modeling; experience with Argus DCF or Enterprise preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial analysis and prepare materials for investment opportunities.
• Manage due diligence through deal execution and closing.
• Coordinate market research and third‑party diligence.
• Interface with brokers, partners, and developers.
• Mentor junior team members and support workflow.

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Argus DCF

Excel

Enterprise

Job description

Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”), together with its investment advisory affiliates, has more than 1,300 investment professionals around the world and $1.9 trillion in assets under management or supervision as of March 31, 2026. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide strong long‑term investment performance, outstanding service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide. Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (“MSREI”) is the global private real estate investment management business of Morgan Stanley. One of the most active property investors in the world for over three decades, MSREI employs a patient, disciplined approach through global value‑add / opportunistic, net lease and regional core real estate investment strategies. With 17 offices throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, regional teams of dedicated real estate professionals combine a unique global perspective with local presence and significant transaction execution expertise. MSREI currently manages $58 billion of gross real estate assets worldwide on behalf of its clients.

Position Summary:

This is an in‑office position in Los Angeles, CA. Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing is seeking a full‑time experienced Associate to join the West Coast Acquisitions team to support a broad range of investment activities. The Associate will play a key role in underwriting, execution, and market analysis across the various core/core‑plus, net lease and opportunistic strategies and vehicles managed by MSREI.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading financial analysis and preparing presentation materials for potential investment opportunities
• Managing the due diligence process through deal execution and closing
• Coordinating and synthesizing market research and third‑party diligence
• Interfacing directly with investment sales brokers, joint venture / operating partners, and developers
• Supporting and executing business development initiatives
• Conducting detailed research and analysis on markets, sectors, and investment strategies
• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to team workflow management

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record
• 4–6 years of relevant work experience in real estate investing, lending, development, brokerage, or investment banking (including leveraged finance or sponsors coverage)
• Advanced real estate financial modeling skills; experience with Argus DCF or Enterprise strongly preferred
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and technical capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate, high‑quality work under tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and take ownership of projects
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and collaborative team player

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what’s best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work‑life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work. To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices into your browser. Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $150,000 and $175,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long‑term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs. Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents. Our workforce reflects a broad cross‑section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo. At Morgan Stanley, we advise, originate, trade, manage and distribute capital for people, governments and institutions, always with a standard of excellence and guided by our core values. Morgan Stanley is dedicated to providing first‑class service to our clients, in a way that reflects our commitment to creating a more sustainable future and fostering stronger communities around the world. In each line of business, we strive to demonstrate our belief in the power of transformative thinking, innovative strategies and leading‑edge solutions—and in the ability of capital to work for the benefit of all society.