Director, Acquisitions

At Equity Residential, we're dedicated to creating thriving communities, and we invite you to be part of our team. Embracing values like Diversity, Sustainability, and Total Wellbeing, we foster a workplace culture of authenticity and collaboration.

How We Deliver a Winning Performance:

• Question Authority
• Walk the Talk
• Share Knowledge
• Listen, not just Hear
• See the Glass Half Full
• Take Educated Risks
• Enjoy the Ride
• Share the Spotlight
• Do the Right Thing
• Test Your Limits

We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care
• Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
• Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
• Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
• Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
• Learn more about our Total Wellbeing programhere.

What You’ll Be Doing:

This position is responsible for directing, managing, and coordinating the activities related to the acquisition of multi-family properties in Atlanta, GA and other eastern markets. Primary responsibilities include sourcing, underwriting, assisting the SVP – Acquisitions with contract negotiation, due diligence and closing. The Director - Acquisitions will also be responsible for developing relationships with principals, managing broker relationships and understanding market conditions as well as assisting with other transactional needs on an as needed basis (i.e. dispositions). This position reports to the SVP Transactions - Atlanta.

• Identification, underwriting, evaluation, and execution of multifamily acquisition opportunities, initially in the Atlanta market with the possibility to add other eastern US markets in the future.
• Collaborate with the Investment Officer (IO) to target locations and assets that meet the company’s investment strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with brokers, owners and other industry professionals to source off-market opportunities.
• Monitor and report on pipeline activities, market trends and competitive landscape.
• Assist SVP – Acquisitions in the negotiation of LOI’s and Purchase and Sale agreements for fee simple transactions, and other potential structures including, leasehold interests, loan assumptions, pre-sales, earn outs, tax deferral (OP units) and other structures as opportunities dictate.
• During due diligence, work with the SVP – Acquisitions, IO and property management to prepare detailed operating budgets, including leasing plans, facilities and maintenance requirements, environmental/resiliency requirements, capital budgets, projected real estate taxes, and insurance requirements.
• Assist with all aspects of due diligence in coordination with the SVP – Acquisitions and Investment Officer (IO). Prepare initial drafts of deal memorandums for submission of acquisition opportunities to the Investment Committee for approval.
• Partner with Finance and Legal to negotiate real estate transactions, which include all-cash, fee simple transactions, and other potential structures including loan assumptions, pre-sales, earn outs, tax deferral (OP units) and other structures as opportunities dictate.
• Work with the Retail group to establish leasing plans and valuations for any retail or commercial space.
• Work with the Capital Markets group on any loan assumptions and incorporate mark to market valuations into pricing of acquisition opportunities.
• Support the Development group on sourcing, structuring, negotiating and underwriting joint venture opportunities.
• Collaborate with Dispositions Officer on broker selection and periodically execute property dispositions.
• Represent the Company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintain a professional courteous attitude when dealing with owners, brokers, coworkers and the general public.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

What You’ll Need to Thrive:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in Finance/Real Estate preferred.
• At least five years of experience in real estate, investment banking or other related industries. Minimum of two years of experience in identifying and underwriting transactions in a residential or commercial real estate environment required.
• Must have excellent analytical skills, be detail oriented, have good business sense, and be able to work on numerous projects concurrently and prioritize workload independently.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization. Decisive nature with a sense of urgency is critical.
• Availability and willingness for overnight travel to existing EQR markets and/or potential new markets is required.

Machines, Tools and Equipment, Software: Computer literacy required and must be adept with the Google Platform and Microsoft Office suite of products. Should be able to use the machines, tools, and equipment typically used in an office environment.

Licenses/Certification: Valid driver's license and good driving record along with auto insurance required.

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL ACTIVITIES:

Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and quickly, including answering phones, attending meetings, written correspondence or other forms of communication. Ability to communicate effectively (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). This skill/ability is important in work activities in which workers must impart or receive detailed information through oral or written communication. Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility.

Physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job. “Commonly associated” is not intended to meanalways oronly . There may be different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT : In-office and remote, in alignment with the company’s corporate attendance policy.