Senior Associate, Portfolio Management (US Opportunity Funds)

As a Senior Associate, Portfolio Management at Harrison Street, your main responsibilities will involve conducting comprehensive financial analyses for the Portfolio Management group, maintaining and optimizing portfolio construction models, and monitoring fund liquidity. You'll work closely with various teams including Acquisitions and Asset Management to incorporate new investments and analyze performance metrics, as well as assist in the annual business planning process and coordinate investor relations efforts. This role is pivotal in ensuring that your analyses and projections contribute to our overarching financial strategies.

To be considered for the Senior Associate, Portfolio Management position at Harrison Street, candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree along with over 5 years of experience in real estate or finance. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling is essential, as is a solid understanding of real estate principles, finance, and accounting. Candidates should demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities that are crucial for engaging with internal stakeholders and investors.

Harrison Street is committed to fostering a work environment that supports professional growth and development. As a Senior Associate in Portfolio Management, you will have access to various learning opportunities, mentorship from senior leaders, and the chance to work on cross-department projects, which will enhance your skill set. You’ll also benefit from a transparent compensation structure and competitive salary packages that reflect your contributions and merit.

The salary range for the Senior Associate, Portfolio Management position at Harrison Street is between $150,000 and $216,000 per year. This range is determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, a 401K plan, and wellness stipends among others. We believe in fairness and transparency in our compensation practices, which is essential to our inclusive workplace culture.

In the role of Senior Associate, Portfolio Management at Harrison Street, you will utilize various third-party applications including Yardi, iLevel, Chatham, and Argus to assist in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Familiarity with these tools is advantageous, as they facilitate efficient data management and financial forecasting essential for portfolio performance monitoring and investor reporting.

When approaching financial analysis in portfolio management, I prioritize understanding the key metrics that drive performance. I start by reviewing financial statements and existing models to identify trends. I also use Excel to create detailed cash flow projections and assess potential risks associated with investments. Demonstrating a clear process that combines analytical skills with strategic thinking will impress your interviewers.

In my previous roles, I have extensively worked with financial modeling to analyze investment performance and forecast future cash flows. I ensure that my models are flexible and incorporate various scenarios to project the impact of different market conditions. Highlighting specific examples of models you've developed and the outcomes achieved will effectively showcase your expertise.

To manage tight deadlines and competing tasks effectively, I employ strong organizational skills and prioritize based on urgency and importance. I break down larger projects into manageable tasks and regularly review my progress. Communication is essential, so I keep my team informed about timelines and deliverables, which helps in collaborating efficiently. Sharing specific instances where you’ve successfully managed multiple deadlines will help to illustrate your capability.

Monitoring fund performance requires a methodical approach. I continuously analyze performance metrics against our KPIs and market benchmarks. By leveraging data analytics tools, I identify trends and variances that signal opportunities for improvement. Discussing previous experiences where you suggested or implemented improvements based on performance analysis will demonstrate your proactive attitude toward fund management.

In a previous role, I encountered an unexpected drop in asset performance due to market fluctuations. I conducted a thorough analysis to identify the root cause and collaborated with the Asset Management team to reassess our strategy. By presenting a revised approach that included diversification options, we managed to stabilize and eventually improve performance. Sharing detailed steps taken in problem-solving reinforces your analytical problem-solving skills.

Effective communication is crucial in Portfolio Management, as it ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and informed. I prioritize clear and concise communication, whether it's through reports, presentations, or one-on-one discussions. I believe in tailoring my communication style to cater to different audiences while maintaining transparency about portfolio performance and strategy adjustments. Demonstrating how you've utilized communication to enhance teamwork or stakeholder relationships will resonate well.

Incorporating investor feedback involves actively listening and analyzing their insights. I create feedback loops, where I engage with investors to understand their concerns and expectations. This information is invaluable in refining our strategies, as it allows us to adjust our approach to meet investor needs more effectively. Sharing specific instances where investor feedback led to successful strategy changes will emphasize your commitment to client satisfaction.

Fund liquidity management is about ensuring that there are sufficient liquid assets to meet investor withdrawals and fund expenses. It’s essential to maintain a balance between liquidity and investment opportunities. I focus on monitoring cash flows regularly and creating contingency plans for unexpected withdrawals. Providing examples of how you managed liquidity in prior positions will illustrate your understanding of this critical aspect.

My experience with third-party data applications is extensive. I've utilized software like Yardi and Argus for property management and financial analysis, enabling efficient data aggregation and reporting. Familiarity with these tools enhances data accuracy and decision-making processes. Highlighting specific case studies where these applications improved workflow will demonstrate your proficiency.

Key skills for a successful Senior Associate in Portfolio Management include strong analytical abilities, proficiency in financial modeling, robust communication and organizational skills, and the capacity to adapt to changing market conditions. Additionally, a collaborative spirit is essential for engaging with various teams and stakeholders. Backing your claims with examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles will solidify your candidacy.