Asset Manager – Real Estate

About La Trobe Financial

Australia's premier Alternative Asset Manager since 1952. Our culture combined with our commitment to service and our customers has seen La Trobe Financial grow to over $20 billion Assets Under Management and over 550 employees deployed across Melbourne and Sydney. For over 70 years, we have been trusted to deliver market leading returns and to provide financial solutions that make dreams into reality.

The Opportunity

As part of La Trobe Financials' Investment Management team, the Asset Manager – Real Estate, will share our passion for investing, and commitment to delivering quality investment solutions for our 110,000 plus investors. The initial focus will be to work with the broader real estate and investments team to support the growth, implementation and operationalisation of the new direct real estate platform and investment funds and ultimately manage the direct real estate assets under management.

As the Asset Manager – Real Estate, you will drive the establishment and ongoing operation of the Real Estate asset management platform with an initial focus on our Australian Real Estate Fund (LREF), an open-ended diversified fund. Working closely with the Head of Funds & Asset Management and Head of Real Estate Origination, you will be building the operational structure and processes for the directly owned and managed real estate management platform. You will assist in formulating and periodically updating our portfolio level strategy, built up from an asset-by-asset analysis and strategy.

You will also assist in identifying, underwriting (asset strategy input in the transaction process) and on-board assets acquired which align with our portfolio composition, return hurdles and risk appetite. An ownership mentality and motivation to turn over every stone, you will be empowered to drive outcomes, create efficiencies and ultimately derive value for our investors.

Key Responsibilities

• Support due diligence of new acquisitions, contributing to strategy, and develop the asset management plans for each
• Key focus on the leasing, asset management and capital expenditure programs, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget
• Drive and oversee external property and facilities managers and budgets for the direct real estate portfolio, ensuring the assets are always maintained and presented to an institutional standard
• Work closely with the finance team and external fund administrator on analytics and to prepare reports for all aspects of the portfolio to ensure all stakeholders remain well informed and to the highest levels of detail and accuracy
• Full lifecycle asset management of a diverse and growing portfolio of assets
• Own asset performance by managing budgets and cost control, P&Ls and GLs, reporting, and proactively provide recommendations and find solutions to problems, aligned with our strategy and risk appetite
• Develop and execute asset-level business plans, including leasing, capex, and appropriate ESG initiatives
• Engagement with key stakeholders both internally and externally including the finance team, valuers and agency contacts
• Be proactive with key tenant relationships and tenant / occupier representatives
• Partner with internal teams across investments / acquisitions, the Senior Fund Analyst, equities, finance, and operations
• Work collaboratively with team members and key stakeholders to ensure data/reporting integrity, efficient flow of information and to drive portfolio-level efficiencies and value through a detailed approach, and transfer of knowledge
• Prepare and provide the business with regular reporting and asset performance updates
• Develop and grow industry and sector relationships with market experts and service providers to contribute to your view of the investment metrics and valuations of the assets
• Maintain up-to-date research, market comparables, and knowledge of current market information, including responding to requests in an efficient and confident manner

About You

This role requires the successful applicant to possess a Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, real estate or a related field and any relevant professional certifications (eg Real Estate licence)

Additional skills and experience required include:

• 10+ years of experience in direct real estate asset management and leasing
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills: Ability to analyse P&Ls and GLs, develop rigorous systems and processes, and conduct market research to contribute to valuation uplift.
• Proven track record in real estate asset management on the owner side: Experience in managing real estate investments, preferably across at least two or more real estate sectors
• Extensive experience in preparing budgets: asset income and expenditure budgets on an accrual and cash basis and exposure to strategic asset planning
• Knowledge of real estate investment principles: Understanding of property valuation, market analysis, and what investment metrics drive or sustain value
• Strong commitment to integrity, professional ethics and a thirst for learning and growth
• Ability to work as part of a small, high performing team

Employee Benefits

We're all about balance – delivering great work and enjoying the journey. Alongside a competitive salary, here are some perks that make working here even better:

• Celebrate your birthday – with a paid day off, just for you
• Give back – with paid volunteer days to support causes you care about;
• More time for you – purchase additional annual leave when you need it;
• Support for families – 18 weeks paid primary carer parental leave plus superannuation contributions;
• Wild perks – free annual membership to Taronga Zoo and Collingwood Football Club
• Wellbeing first – access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
• Keep growing – with ongoing training and development opportunities;
• Unforgettable socials – from team events to celebrations you'll actually want to attend and
• Retail therapy – enjoy discounts through Reward Gateway.

Please note, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.