Fund Associate - Real Estate

At M&G our vision is: to become the best loved and most successful savings and investment business and we're looking for people who are excited about joining us on our journey. We're digitally transforming and investing heavily in technology and innovation to develop new and improved customer propositions that really raise the bar for our customers. To help us achieve our vision we're looking for exceptional people who live our values and behaviours and who can inspire others; embrace change; deliver results and keep it simple.

We know that an inclusive environment makes us more accessible and ensures we attract, engage, promote and retain exceptional people. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity/nationality, disability, or military service and welcome those who have taken career breaks. We will consider flexible working arrangements or home working arrangements for any of our roles.

What you can expect from us:
We are committed to creating an environment where you can be exceptional at all you do. To help us deliver this, we promise to:

• Challenge Your Limits by creating a stimulating working environment and providing opportunities for you to be involved in meaningful and challenging work
• Support Your Aspirations with a commitment to learning and development that helps you achieve and build your experience with people who want you to succeed
• Value Your Input whereby leaders and managers will involve you in key decisions, listen to your thoughts and recognise the important contribution you make
• Balance Your Life through a work life partnership that focuses on making this an inclusive, diverse and friendly place to work and offers the flexibility and support that enables everyone to be at their best

How do we support our employees:
All M&G plc employees will be supported in the workplace through our M&G Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). If you need counselling, confidential financial or legal advice. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers access to qualified professionals who can provide specialist information, advice and support on many issues. It offers a broad range of services, including help with family issues, maintaining work/life balance and mental health support.

Fund Associate - Real Estate Income (Long Lease Property)

Unique opportunity to join M&G's market-leading long lease investment team with a portfolio of around £9bn AUM across traditional and alternative sectors. Substantial capital available for new investments and the growing nature of the business have driven a need for an associate level role operating at the heart of the UK fund management and investment team.

The Role:

• Work closely with experienced real estate and fixed income professionals across the business, developing the skills for unearthing good relative value in a well-established and growing hybrid asset class
• Take a key role in analysing transactions, working directly with investment surveyors and fund managers to deliver deal flow for various funds within the Real Estate Income business
• Be involved with a range of activities facilitating the day to day management of the REI Funds
• Assist in the capital raising, marketing and investor communications of the funds

The Team:

The Real Estate Income business at M&G is responsible for the management of M&G's long lease property investment activities on behalf of both M&G's annuity funds and external institutional clients. It currently has around £9 billion of assets under management. The flagship product of the business is the M&G Secured Property Income Fund with assets of £4.5 billion, currently the largest pooled institutional real estate Fund in the UK, investing across all sectors of the market including hotels, healthcare, residential, student accommodation and leisure in additional to office, retail and industrial assets. Other key strategies include the M&G European Secured Property Income Fund and M&G Secured Lease Income Fund, along with other real estate based inflation-linked income and fixed income credit arbitrage transactions for various segregated account mandates. These strategies are delivered by a team of 17 investment professionals working in partnership with colleagues across M&G's Private Credit, Real Estate and Research teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analysis of suitable new investment opportunities and making purchase recommendations to the relevant Fund Manager
• Assist in the preparation of investment committee papers and appropriate deal analytics
• Assist in active management of existing properties
• Monitor and ensure compliance with the investment policies and restrictions of the fund
• Assist in the provision of adequate investor, consultant, compliance and internal reporting
• Assisting with capital management (capital queue management, drawdowns, payments, reporting, etc.)
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders and external service partners

Job & Personal Skills:

This role will be suitable for someone who has an interest in transacting and managing a portfolio of diverse real estate assets and dealing with a sophisticated institutional investor base. It is recognised that candidates may not have specific experience in long lease property.

The key skills for the role are:

• Very strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Highly numerate
• Good level of proficiency in Excel and sound financial modelling skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Highly motivated person and self-starter: ability to work independently and use initiative
• Team oriented person and ability to work across different business units
• Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Flexible approach to role and responsibilities within a growing business.

Qualifications

Likely to be degree educated, possibly a CFA Charterholder.

Knowledge & Experience
Likely to have specific knowledge of working in fund management/financial services. Must have the ability to analyse and model property cash flows.

Desirable attributes include:

• Knowledge of credit analysis and ratings
• Understanding of UK property market
• Understanding of pension funds and pension fund consultants decision making process
• Experience of presenting and reporting to institutional investors.

We live by four behaviours at M&G and we ask all our employees to:

• Inspire Others - Support and encourage each other, creating an environment where everyone can contribute and succeed
• Embrace Change - Be open to change, willing to be challenged and able to adapt quickly and imaginatively to new ideas
• Deliver Results - Focus on outcomes, set high standards and deliver with energy and determination
• Keep it Simple - Cut through complexity and bureaucracy, be clear and decisive and never overcomplicate things