Asset Management Associate

Gardner Capital is a private equity firm focused on affordable housing and renewable energy development, investor, and tax credit syndicator with primary regional offices located in St. Louis, Missouri and Dallas, Texas.

Gardner Capital has a rapidly growing national platform and is looking to add to its team for the following role.

Position Overview:

Gardner Capital is seeking an Asset Management Associate to oversee the financial performance, operating condition, and compliance-related risks of an assigned affordable housing portfolio.

The Associate will lead property reviews, manage the budgeting process in coordination with the Internal Finance team, hold property management partners accountable, and develop action plans for underperforming properties. The position will work closely with internal accounting, development, legal, and compliance teams, as well as external property managers, lenders, investors, and auditors.

This is a hands-on role that requires going beyond reporting issues to understanding their causes, recommending practical solutions, and following through on implementation. The Associate will also review analyst work and support the development of junior team members.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review property financials and operating reports, including budget variances, occupancy, collections, and expenses.
• Lead annual budgeting and three-year forecasting for assigned properties in coordination with the Internal Finance team.
• Monitor cash flow, debt-service coverage, reserve balances, and funding needs, and recommend actions to address shortfalls.
• Lead property-review calls and hold property management partners accountable for performance, reporting, and agreed action items.
• Identify causes of underperformance, develop corrective action plans, and track implementation and results.
• Monitor LIHTC requirements and obligations under partnership, loan, and regulatory agreements, coordinating with compliance and legal teams to address risks.
• Coordinate timely completion of audit, tax-return, lender, and investor deliverables with the responsible teams.
• Review insurance funding, escrow activity, and reserve requests, and follow up on outstanding reimbursements.
• Conduct site visits and review maintenance needs and capital plans to assess property condition and required improvements.
• Prepare portfolio updates highlighting performance, outstanding issues, and recommended actions for management.
• Review analyst reports and financial models for accuracy, provide feedback, and support the development of junior team members.
• Applies sound financial judgment and identifies the causes of performance issues.
• Maintains accuracy and clear supporting documentation.
• Takes ownership of assignments and follows issues through to resolution.
• Prioritizes competing deadlines and escalates concerns promptly.
• Communicates clearly and works effectively with internal teams and external partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Real Estate, Economics, Business, or a related field
• At least three years of relevant experience in asset management, affordable housing finance, real estate analysis, or property accounting, including hands-on LIHTC portfolio experience.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze property financial statements, prepare budgets and forecasts, and evaluate cash flow.
• Working knowledge of LIHTC requirements and the ability to interpret financial and reporting obligations in partnership, loan, and regulatory agreements.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, lookup functions, pivot tables, and formula review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of relevant experience, preferably with an affordable housing owner, developer, investor, or syndicator.
• Experience working with property budgets, rent rolls, audits, or lender and investor reporting.

This job operates in a professional office environment Monday through Friday. Occasional travel for property visits and team meetings may be required.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer:

Gardner Capital offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees, including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth and career development
• Collaborative and mission-driven work environment