Real Estate Acquisitions & Investment Analyst (Greater Cleveland)

About Wesley Development

Wesley Development is a newly established real estate investment and acquisition firm founded to build a portfolio of income-producing commercial properties. The firm will initially focus on retail and select flex industrial assets, pursuing investments with attractive current income and opportunities to create long-term value. Working directly with its founders, the first employee will have an opportunity to help establish the investment platform and contribute meaningfully to its growth.

Position Overview

Wesley Development is seeking an entrepreneurial, analytical, and resourceful Real Estate Acquisitions & Investment Analyst to identify and pursue commercial real estate investment opportunities. The primary focus of this role will be proactively sourcing attractive properties and building a strong acquisition pipeline. The individual will also evaluate prospective investments, assist with due diligence and transactions, and support leasing and property operations as the portfolio develops.

Initial acquisition activity will focus on Cleveland, Columbus, and the surrounding Ohio markets, with the potential to expand geographically over time. The role offers substantial autonomy, direct access to ownership, and an opportunity to grow alongside a new investment business.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Sourcing & Market Research

• Proactively identify and source acquisition opportunities through broker relationships, direct owner outreach, market research, networking, and creative sourcing strategies.
• Focus initially on retail properties, including anchored shopping centers and multi-tenant storefronts, as well as select flex industrial properties.
• Research local markets, property values, comparable transactions, occupancy trends, demographics, and potential value-add opportunities.
• Develop relationships with brokers, property owners, and other real estate professionals; maintain an organized pipeline of prospective acquisitions.
• Assess prospective sites for location quality, tenant mix, property condition, and potential for improved income or operational performance.

Investment Analysis & Underwriting

• Evaluate prospective acquisitions using financial models, investment analysis, and market research.
• Analyze cash flow, NOI, capitalization rates, IRR, cash-on-cash returns, valuations, and investment risks.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses and evaluate opportunities to increase value through leasing, tenant improvements, and operational changes.
• Prepare concise investment summaries, financial presentations, and recommendations for ownership.

Acquisitions & Transaction Support

• Support transactions from initial evaluation through due diligence, negotiation, financing coordination, and closing.
• Review property financials, leases, operating data, title materials, and other due diligence documents.
• Coordinate with legal counsel, lenders, brokers, consultants, and other transaction participants.
• Assist with letters of intent, purchase agreements, closing deliverables, and transaction timelines in collaboration with appropriate advisers.

Asset Management & Portfolio Support

• Assist with tenant identification, leasing initiatives, and strategies to improve occupancy and rental income.
• Coordinate with third-party property managers, contractors, and service providers to support maintenance, repairs, and property improvements.
• Monitor asset performance and identify opportunities to improve operations and long-term property value.
• Help establish practical systems for property oversight and portfolio reporting as acquisitions are completed.

Business Development & Operational Support

• Work directly with ownership to establish sourcing, underwriting, transaction, and reporting processes.
• Use market data, research platforms, and emerging technology to improve deal identification and investment decisions.
• Take ownership of varied projects in a growing business where responsibilities may evolve as the portfolio expands.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field, or comparable relevant experience.
• Approximately 2–5+ years of relevant experience in commercial real estate investment, acquisitions, private equity, underwriting, real estate finance, or a related field.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Understanding of commercial real estate valuation, investment fundamentals, and property-level financial performance.
• Initiative and demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, build relationships, and independently move projects forward.
• Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and comfort working directly with ownership in an entrepreneurial environment.

Preferred

• Experience sourcing commercial real estate investments or building broker and property-owner relationships.
• Exposure to retail or flex industrial real estate, including leasing, property operations, or value-add investment strategies.
• Experience with acquisitions due diligence and transactions; direct acquisition experience is preferred but not essential for candidates with strong transferable skills.
• Familiarity with CoStar, Argus, comparable research platforms, or AI-enabled research and deal-sourcing tools.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate combines financial judgment with a proactive, commercially minded approach to finding opportunities. This person enjoys getting into the market, building relationships, assessing properties, and seeing deals through execution—not solely producing financial models. They are self-directed, adaptable, eager to learn, and excited to take on broad responsibilities as a business grows.

Why Join Wesley Development?

Join at the ground floor as the first employee of a new real estate investment firm. Work directly with the founders to help build an acquisition pipeline, shape investment processes, and develop a growing portfolio. As the business expands, there is meaningful potential for increased responsibility and advancement into a leadership role.