What are the responsibilities and job description for the SR Finance Associate Commercial Real Estate position at The Dewberry Charleston?
Position Summary
The Senior Finance Associate plays a critical role in supporting the financial and strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets, including office, retail, multi-family, and hospitality properties. This individual will partner closely with senior leadership, asset management, and development teams to drive performance, support capital transactions, and enhance portfolio value.
Key Responsibilities
Asset & Portfolio Oversight
- Manage financial oversight of real estate assets, including modeling, valuation, leasing analysis, capital projects, and property/portfolio-level reporting.
- Monitor property operating performance and prepare variance analyses against budgets and forecasts.
- Conduct risk assessments and sensitivity analyses to identify opportunities for value creation and downside protection.
Transactions & Capital Markets
- Assist in the analysis, documentation, and execution of capital transactions, including acquisitions, financings, development programs, and exit strategies.
- Prepare investment memoranda, underwriting models, and scenario analyses for investment committee review.
- Coordinate with lenders, investors, and third-party advisors during financing, refinancing, and equity placement processes.
Strategic Forecasting & Planning
- Develop short- and long-term forecasting models to inform capital allocation and strategic planning.
- Support portfolio strategy reviews, hold/sell analyses, and asset-level business plans.
- Track debt maturities, lease rollovers, and capital expenditure needs to inform proactive decision-making.
Reporting & Communication
- Coordinate monthly internal reporting for management.
- Coordinate and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to lenders per loan requirements.
- Liaise with lenders as needed.
- Prepare and deliver high-quality internal and external reporting packages, proposals, and board/investor presentations.
- Create pitches, proposals, marketing materials, and internal market intelligence reports.
- Ensure reporting accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with company standards.
Due Diligence & Development Support
- Conduct financial and operational due diligence for acquisitions and future development opportunities.
- Partner with development teams on feasibility studies, cost analyses, and project pro formas.
- Support ongoing tracking of construction and development pipelines against budgets and financing requirements.
Leadership, Collaboration & Process Improvement
- Mentor associates on financial modeling, reporting, and underwriting practices.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (accounting, legal, asset management, property management) to align objectives.
- Recommend process improvements, reporting enhancements, and automation opportunities.
Special Projects & Initiatives
- Lead ad-hoc analyses on market trends, competitive positioning, or capital structuring alternatives.
- Contribute to ESG initiatives, investor disclosures, and scenario modeling as required.
- Support implementation of new financial systems and tools.
- Perform other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Accounting, or related field (Master’s/CCIM/CFA a plus).
- 4–7 years of experience in commercial real estate finance, investment banking, private equity, or related field.
- Strong financial modeling and valuation skills with advanced proficiency in Excel and Argus.
- Experience in acquisitions, capital markets, or asset management strongly preferred.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare executive-level presentations.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with it. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.