Investment Analyst

Copaken Brooks, LLC is a full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Kansas City and serving the Midwest. The company’s full suite of services includes investment acquisition and sales, tenant representation and HQ relocations, property management, asset management, development, owner’s representation, and leasing (office, retail, medical, industrial, and underground). We have over 100 years of proven experience in playing a major role in where millions of people go to work, shop, and live. 

Today, Copaken Brooks manages and invests in a real estate portfolio approaching $1 billion in assets. Our integrated platform and entrepreneurial approach allow us to identify opportunities, execute complex transactions, and create long-term value for our investors, partners, tenants, and communities.

Purpose of Position:

The Acquisitions & Capital Markets Analyst will underwrite and analyze commercial real estate acquisitions (primary focus), developments (secondary), dispositions, and financing opportunities. The role will also support due diligence, transaction execution, lender relations, and investment reporting. The position reports to the VP of Capital Markets and works closely with leaders across Acquisitions, Development, Asset Management, Finance, and Company Leadership.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Investment Acquisitions/Sales & Development

• Actively source acquisitions through external relationships and track/report deal flow to key leadership
• Perform financial analysis and underwriting for acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and financing or refinancing opportunities.
• Build and maintain financial models, including cash flow, IRR, equity multiple, debt, and sensitivity analyses.
• Conduct market research and evaluate rents, vacancy, comparable transactions, operating assumptions, and other key investment drivers.
• Prepare initial deal screenings and investment recommendations for Executive Leadership and Investment Committee review.
• Coordinate project due diligence with internal and external teams, including title, survey, appraisal, environmental, property condition, lease abstracts, estoppels, SNDAs, and legal documentation.
• Prepare investment materials, presentations, offering memoranda, and capital partner or lender materials.
• Develop relationships with brokers and other industry participants and assist with sourcing new investment opportunities.
• Utilize Excel, ARGUS, ProCalc, and other financial/analytical software 

Lender Relations/Finance

• Assist in structuring, evaluating, negotiating, and closing documents for development or acquisition loans and refinancing
• Prepare lender packages and financial analyses.
• Coordinate acquisition and development due diligence, and work with internal/external groups to ensure completion of due diligence and third-party work (e.g., lender compliance)
• Engage with lenders, investment officers, brokers, and occasionally investors, in the process of acquisitions, redevelopment, refinancing, and/or sales
• Review loan proposals, closing statements and loan documents

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, real estate, accounting, economics, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 2 to 4 years of experience in commercial real estate financial analysis, acquisitions, development, investment banking, private equity, lending, brokerage, or a related field.
• Strong commercial real estate financial modeling and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Experience with ARGUS preferred.
• Experience with acquisition, development, financing, or transaction due diligence preferred.
• Familiarity with MRI, AppFolio, ProCalc, or similar real estate software is a plus.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks/projects, while working independently
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building abilities
• Ability to analyze and solve routine problems by identifying root causes
• Ability to manage multiple projects under strict deadlines
• High attention to detail
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the drive to expand the firm’s real estate portfolio
• Professional presence, integrity, and credibility in representing the firm to external partners
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment

Performance Metrics / Success Measures

• Success in this role will be evaluated based on measurable outcomes, including:
• Quality, accuracy, and timeliness of underwriting and financial analysis.
• Successful support and execution of acquisitions, developments, financings, and dispositions.
• Quality of Investment Committee, lender, and investor materials.
• Effective coordination of transaction due diligence and closing activities.
• Contributions to the growth and diversification of Copaken Brooks’ real estate portfolio.
• Expansion and improvement of investor and asset-level reporting.
• Development of strong relationships with brokers, lenders, investors, and other industry participants.

Career Growth & Visibility

Copaken Brooks is a flat organization that provides employees with direct access to principals and senior leadership. Growth in this role is driven by the individual’s initiative, performance, capabilities, and willingness to take on greater responsibility. This position offers:

• Direct exposure to principals and executive and senior leadership across the firm.
• Broad involvement in acquisitions, development, financing, asset management, and transaction execution.
• The opportunity to take on increasing responsibility as skills, judgment, and experience develop.
• The ability to build expertise, expand external relationships, and influence investment decisions.
• A high degree of visibility and the opportunity to shape the role based on individual strengths and contributions.

Physical Requirements:

• Stationary office work, including sitting or standing and frequent computer use: approximately 35% to 40% of the time.
• Field and property-related activity, including standing, walking, climbing stairs, and navigating commercial properties, uneven surfaces, and development or construction sites: approximately 45% to 50% of the time.
• Networking, meetings, and community engagement, including periods of standing and walking: approximately 10% to 20% of the time.
• Occasional bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 15 pounds, including laptops, paper files, and other work materials.

Company Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance and optional supplemental coverage.
• Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• 401(k) plan with immediate 100% vesting on employee contributions and a company match of 50% of the first 3% contributed; employer contributions vest 33% after one year, 66% after two years, and 100% after three years.
• Employee Parking Provided in building garages at no cost.
• Company-issued Laptop equipped with all required software, tools, and resources.
• Free Fitness Center Access at The Skyline Collection Gym, including instructor-led classes and wellness programming.
• Professional Development Support, including training resources and career growth opportunities.