Acquisitions & Investment Associate – Build-to-Rent (BTR)

Company Overview

PLATFORM_ is a fast-moving and successful BTR business, operating in one of the most exciting and recognised subsectors of the real estate market. As a fully integrated UK-wide investor, developer, operator and asset manager, PLATFORM_ has an operational portfolio of over 1,500 units and a secured development pipeline of over 2,000 new apartments. The total completed value of the portfolio is well in excess of £1 billion.

PLATFORM_ is backed by Westrock, a long-established and multi-faceted private family property company headquartered in central London. Over the past three decades, Westrock’s team has collectively invested in and managed over £8 billion of assets across the globe. In addition, PLATFORM_ has partnered with a number of institutional investors.

PLATFORM_ intends to grow the business through both direct development and the acquisition of completed buildings. The emphasis is on identifying sites in major towns and cities including London. This will be done through direct development, joint ventures, forward commitments and the purchase of stabilised assets.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the country’s most innovative and prolific BTR companies. With a fully integrated structure, the team comprises some of the industry’s leading experts who are delivering projects from acquisition, planning and design, through procurement and development to marketing, leasing and operations.

Overview of the Role

PLATFORM_ is seeking an Acquisitions & Investment Associate to join the property team at our smart and modern HQ in Marble Arch. The role demands an ambitious, intelligent, dynamic and analytical individual.

The individual will be responsible for sourcing new opportunities and liaising with potential co-investors.

The position will be based in London and the role will involve some national travel.

Principal Responsibilities

• Identifying development and investment opportunities in the BTR sector
• Liaising with potential co-investors and securing their support for new acquisitions
• Conducting thorough market research for target locations, including analysis of demographics and property comparables;
• Preparing financial appraisals and cash flow models;
• Maintaining an existing network and establishing new contacts across the real estate sector to ensure deal flow;
• Filtering viable opportunities in a timely and efficient manner;
• Reporting to the deal sourcing committee on a weekly basis;
• Compiling investment memorandums and briefs, for both internal and external purposes

 Personal Qualities:

• Pro-active, self-motivated and adept at using own initiative.
• Exceptional confidence, independence and interest in working in a non-hierarchical and entrepreneurial environment.
• Naturally curious about new markets and locations, with the ability to assimilate and process information quickly
• Attention to and care for detail in all work.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work quickly to a high standard under pressure.
• Positive energy and contribution to team spirit.
• Ambition and desire to build personal skill-set and value in the role.
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English. Other languages not required.
• Strong alignment with PLATFORM_ values: Customer Focussed, Commercial, Innovative, Collaborative, Integrity & Passionate

 Candidate Attributes:

• Deal making mentality with proven record of originating and closing transactions
• Strong academic record
• University degree from a high-calibre institution
• Excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to network, negotiate and build relationships at all levels.
• Highly numerate with a strong skillset in preparing financial appraisals and cashflows in Excel form.
• Competent user of Microsoft PowerPoint and Word