Investment Analyst

Job purpose

Provide financial & strategic support and analysis to teams within departments to help them reach their strategic objectives.

Further, support investment strategy decisions through quantitative and qualitative research mechanisms,

Duties and responsibilities

Property Investment Research
- Identify investment trends and related risks and opportunities,
- Identify local and international trends affecting each sector and its trading environment,
- Analyse, interpret and disseminate market information and research findings, i.e. benchmarking reports, to the respective heads of Asset Management,
- Analyse sectorial performance and provide guidance on diversification of the SA property investment portfolio (nodal research analysis),
- Assist sector with formulation and implementation of strategies in respect of asset allocation across sectors,
- Drive automation of investment risk and performance attribution processes and reports.

Management Strategy
- Analyzing financial performance against industry peers,
- Assist in determining the benchmarking KPI’s for asset management team,
- Deliver guidance to Heads of Asset Management regarding operational efficiencies,
- Guide the budgeting process from income, costs, vacancy perspectives relative to benchmarks,
- Provide financial expertise to the asset management team to understand the impact any changes in financial policy may result in.

Investment Strategy and Performance monitoring and review
- Provide input to Deal Forum in respect of deal notes and their impact on performance of the investment portfolio,
- Assist Head of Asset Management - Retail with tenant mix analysis.
- Quantitative Analysis of asset performance in terms of Total Return,
- Assist CDIO and Heads of Asset Management with due diligence processes,
- Keep abreast of market indices and benchmark changes and its potential impact,
- Benchmarking of sector performance (Retail, Industrial, Commercial),
- Advise on the Return on Capital Employed per asset,
- Review performance of completed trading and development projects and major refurbishments.

General:

- Provide financial & strategic support and analysis to teams within departments to help them reach their strategic objectives,
- Support investment strategy decisions through quantitative and qualitative research mechanisms,
- Undertake market research using publicly available information and proprietary databases to identify, quantify and analyse trends across a variety of South African property types,
- Help construct an argument regarding a decision to invest or not invest, and communicate that argument efficiently in written materials; be able to defend position in a team environment, including Deal Forum meetings,
- Use creativity to analyse data and to test hypotheses regarding attractiveness of specific sectors and investment opportunities,
- Form an independent opinion about the attractiveness of a property sector and/or geography as an investment opportunity; clearly articulate findings,
- Drive data integrity processes to ensure accuracy of data as well as engage MSCI on a continual basis to ensure enhancement of data quality that meets changing industry variables.

Experience

7 years minimum years of experience in property analytics, property economics, strong financial background.

**Qualifications**:

- B Com Accounting, Property studies or Economics. Master in any related field.

Competencies and Skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- A good mix of interpersonal and analytical skills
- Computer literate (Excel, PowerPoint)
- Deadline focused
- Strong presentation skills
- Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Program review skills
- Good understanding of development and construction documents and agreements

Personal attributes
- Intelligent self-starter, showing initiative and ability to work autonomously
- Passionate and committed to continuously add value
- Ability to handle pressure and confidential matters
- Ability to deal with conflict
- Available to do occasional after hours and weekend work when required
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Able to thrive in an environment that frequently questions and challenges
- Flexible and adaptable with strong ability to multi-task
- Must be able to build relations at all levels, with ease and a consultative approach
- Create a culture with passion for clients and staff development that delivers the extraordinary client experience while living Growthpoint’s values