Analyst, Real Estate

Company Description

Lightstone, founded by David Lichtenstein, is one of the most diversified privately held real estate companies in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, Lightstone is active in 26 states across the country, developing, managing and investing in all sectors of the real estate market, including residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail. With 209 existing properties, Lightstone’s over $9 billion portfolio currently includes over 13 million square feet of industrial, life sciences, and commercial properties, over 25,000 residential units, and over 5,100 hotel keys. Lightstone’s development portfolio includes over $3.5 billion currently under development in the residential and hospitality sectors spread across New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Position Overview

This role will support the acquisitions group in underwriting, due diligence and executing new investments for a wide range of commercial real estate transactions. He/she will specifically play a critical role in providing underwriting for acquisitions, dispositions, future development projects and customary refinancing. The Financial Analyst will report into the Senior Vice President, Investments.

Ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual with strong analytical skills. Must have prior experience in underwriting commercial real estate with a real estate investment firm. Foundational knowledge of ground up development and zoning is a must. Previous experience in real estate development is a plus.

Essential Functions

The Financial Analyst will primarily be responsible for the following functions:

• Develop financial models in Excel, including complex waterfall structures
• Provide analytical support to senior acquisitions professionals
• Participate in the initial screening of investments to determine fit with the Company’s investment objectives
• Perform and coordinate due diligence on new investments including communication with third parties (brokers, lenders, consultants, etc.).
• Draft investment memorandums
• Research market data and demographics, including sales and rent comps
• Prepare internal and external presentations and marketing materials for debt/capital markets initiatives
• Assist acquisitions/development teams with ongoing project management and financing/design/budgeting decisions
• Prepare and update financial summaries of deals on a portfolio level
  
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate, Finance, or Accounting with demonstrated academic excellence
• Advanced Degree in Real Estate, Finance or Accounting a plus
• 2-3 years of relevant real estate investment or investment banking experience
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including advanced modeling and financial analysis
• Proficiency using ARGUS a plus
  
  
  

Competencies

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex business documents including leases, financial reports, and contracts
• Understanding of accounting procedures and financial reports with ability to analyze variances
• Superior verbal, written communications and presentation skills
• Strong process management skills
• Highly-organized, detail-oriented, with the ability to multi-task effectively in a deadline driven environment while maintaining strict attention to detail
• Capacity to work effectively in a highly entrepreneurial environment, taking initiative, anticipating requests and “managing up”
• Demonstrated ability to identify errors, problems and opportunities and effectively problem solve
• Ability to thrive in an environment that is highly entrepreneurial, both strategic and creative, and which requires rapid learning, multitasking and prioritizing under tight deadlines
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, with expertise in Excel