Acquisitions & Asset Management Analyst (Chicago)

Acquisitions & Asset Management Analyst

Location: Chicago, IL (In-Office)

Company Overview

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Newport Capital Partners is a leading vertically integrated real estate investment management firm that specializes in the acquisition and management of neighborhood and community retail shopping centers. As a trusted fiduciary, Newport has sponsored and managed various investment vehicles including commingled funds, separate accounts, and takeover mandates on behalf of institutional investors, financial institutions, and family offices.

Position Overview

Newport Capital Partners is in search of a highly motivated and collaborative Acquisitions & Asset Management Analyst to support the firm’s real estate investment functions. The position will work directly with the Acquisitions and Asset Management teams across the full investment lifecycle – from underwriting, due diligence, and closing through business planning, leasing, financing, and disposition. The position holds a high level of responsibility and offers early exposure to investment decision-making and the entire investment process.

Acquisitions

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Build and maintain Argus and Excel-based acquisition models for neighborhood and community shopping centers, including stabilized and value-add opportunities
• Run sensitivity analyses on key assumptions such as rent growth, re-leasing and downtime, tenant improvements and leasing commissions, exit cap rate, leverage, and hold period to stress-test returns
• Prepare investment summaries and Investment Committee memos that translate financial models into clear recommendations for decision-makers
• Maintain the active deal pipeline and track market activity, including recent transactions, new developments, and competitive listings
• Coordinate third-party reports including Phase I/II environmental assessments, property condition assessments, appraisals, title, survey, and zoning reports

Asset Management

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain Argus and excel based cash flow models used for quarterly valuations, annual strategic plans, portfolio rollups, and waterfall calculations
• Assist in the preparation of annual strategic plans including hold/sell analysis, market research and competitive set analysis, downside analysis, and other key components
• Collaborate on the due diligence of acquisitions, dispositions, and financing activities
• Assist Asset Managers with the analysis and preparation of Investment Committee memos for major leasing, redevelopment, major capital spend, financing/interest rate hedging, and disposition recommendations
• Update property-level and fund-level KPI models to be used for investor reporting and portfolio management purposes
• Analyze leasing and operating performance compared to annual budgets and acquisition underwriting
• Prepare quarterly and annual DSCR covenant calculations
• Other ad hoc analysis or reporting as directed by senior management

Job Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, real estate, economics, accounting, or a related field
• 1–3 years of analytical experience in commercial real estate acquisitions, asset management, investment banking, private equity, or a related analytical role
• Strong quantitative and technical skills with proficiency in Argus, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong financial modeling skills, with a working knowledge of DCF analysis and real estate return and debt metrics including IRR, equity multiple, cash-on-cash, cap rates, and DSCR
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain a financial model and translate analysis into clear recommendations for senior management and the Investment Committee
• Self-starter, highly motivated with excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task and manage multiple deal workstreams under tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with brokers, lenders, attorneys, tenants, property managers, and third-party consultants
• Sound judgment, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information
• Willingness to travel for property site visits and market tours as needed

Preferred

• Understanding of real estate finance, valuation, and retail-specific concepts
• Exposure to retail real estate transactions or asset management, particularly neighborhood and community shopping centers
• Experience with CoStar or other real estate data platforms
• Familiarity with generative AI tools to enhance productivity, research, and workflow