Commercial Real Estate Asset Manager - Office & Industrial

Position Overview

Employer:             DWS Group

Title:                      Commercial Real Estate Asset Manager – Office & Industrial

Location:               Chicago

Job Code:              #LI-MB1 #LI-03

About DWS:

Today, markets face a whole new set of pressures – but also a whole lot of opportunity too. Opportunity to innovate differently. Opportunity to invest responsibly. And opportunity to make change.

Join us at DWS, and you can be part of an industry-leading firm with a global presence. You can lead ambitious opportunities and shape the future of investing. You can support our clients, local communities, and the environment.

We’re looking for creative thinkers and innovators to join us as the world continues to transform. As whole markets change, one thing remains clear; our people always work together to capture the opportunities of tomorrow.

As investors on behalf of our clients, it is our role to find investment solutions. Ensuring the best possible foundation for our clients’ financial future. And in return, we’ll give you the support and platform to develop new skills, make an impact and work alongside some of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. This is your chance to achieve your goals and lead an extraordinary career.

This is your chance to invest in your future.

Team / division overview

The Real Estate division of DWS is a full-service Real Estate manager with approximately $60 billion AUM globally. DWS Real Estate acquires and manages investments in individual assets or Real Estate portfolios on behalf of funds and separate accounts.

The US Real Estate franchise is responsible for the origination, acquisition, financings, asset management and disposition of Real Estate assets across the US, which are to be acquired by a wide range of funds and clients of the DWS platform. The East Coast team works on diverse tasks across various Real Estate asset classes such as office, industrial, retail, and residential schemes.

The Commercial Asset Management team within DWS Real Estate is responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of Class A & B Office and Industrial assets.  The team focuses on optimizing property performance, driving value creation, and ensuring alignment with investment strategies.

Role Details

As an Asset Manager you will be responsible for:

• Managing a portfolio of 12 to 14 Class A & B Office, Industrial, and Office flex assets (an approximate 3-6 Million of NRA; 250 – 400 tenants).

• Negotiate significant leases and oversee every aspect of the leasing process, including NPV preparation, tenant financial review and securitization, and review of commission invoices

• Oversee direct property management and leasing services for each asset

• Monitor market trends in value, cost, and supply/demand fundamentals to identify acquisition and disposition opportunities and continuously review portfolio for opportunities to add value through renovation, expansion, and/or repositioning of the asset

• Understand competitive positioning relative to rents, lease terms and overall occupancy, and the means to maintain a competitive edge

• Develop management, leasing and capital investment strategies, along with income/expense budgets for each asset, and present annual plans for these activities to the respective Portfolio Managers are required

• Prepare quarterly reports that present property performance along with progress on strategic initiatives

• Bottom line responsibility for asset performance against the associated benchmarks

• Manage total capital improvements as a percentage of NOI at the respective properties

• Manage relationships with contract manager and joint venture partners and provide oversight

• Responsible and accountable for the accuracy of NOI, capital and cash projections

• Reviews monthly, quarterly and annual reports produced by the Contract Manager to ensure they follow DWS requirements

• Assist Acquisitions Team with underwriting potential new acquisitions within your respective market

• Work with the ESG Team to find opportunities for green initiatives

• Actively involved in the valuation process by providing market intelligence on assumptions

We are looking for:

• Proven institutional Commercial Asset Management experience with a focus on Office and Industrial

• Substantial experience asset managing multi-tenant Office and Industrial investments

• Proven experience in leasing, property operations, project management, construction, negotiations, accounting and reporting with the ability to understand financial statements, investment pro-formas, IRR and NPV calculations and analysis

• Ability to effectively communicate with property management employees, portfolio managers, the investment committee, and clients.

• Strong market analysis skills to support decisions concerning rent rates, capital improvement programs, leasing strategies, and property repositioning.

• Understanding of acquisitions, financing, leasing, and dispositions of commercial real estate assets.

• Ability to approve changes in scope of work and estimated construction contracts alongside the portfolio manager.

• Ability to respond rapidly to changes in the market.

What we’ll offer you:

At DWS we’re serious about diversity, equity and creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can be themselves sand it’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work - feeling healthy, happy and rewarded. At DWS, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalised plan unique to your lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, company perks, or are thinking about your retirement plan, there’s something for everyone.

The salary range for this position in Chicago is $130,000 to $212,000.  Actual salaries may be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s skill set, experience, education and other qualifications.  Posted salary ranges do not include incentive compensation or any other type of remuneration.

Some of our core benefits:

• Competitive Salary and Matched 401K Savings Plan

• Generous Paid Time Away plus Bank Holidays

• Physical and Mental Health Well-Being benefits including (but not limited to) Health & Life Insurance Plans and the support of trained Mental Health First Aiders

• Family friendly benefits including generous parental leave packages (supporting all variations of family set-ups), to healthcare plans and travel insurance

• The opportunity to support our CSR strategy which is focused on combatting climate change & achieving greater social justice. You can make donations to our partnered organisations or take part in corporate volunteering opportunities in your local communities by providing on hand support.

DWS’ Hybrid Working model is designed to find the right balance between in-person collaboration and engagement in the office, which is core to our working culture, and working from home. Each business group varies on the split between time spent in the office and at home, but this will be discussed and made clear as part of your application and interview process. We will continue to review and evolve our working environments and methods to ensure that we are working in the best way possible for our people.

If you require any adjustments or changes to be made to the interview process for any reason including, or related to a disability or long-term health condition, then please contact your recruiter and let them know what assistance you may need. Examples of adjustments include providing a change to the format of the interview, or providing assistance when at the DWS office. This will not affect your application and your recruitment team will discuss options with you. 

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We strive for a culture in which we are empowered to excel together every day. This includes acting responsibly, thinking commercially, taking initiative and working collaboratively.
Together we share and celebrate the successes of our people. Together we are Deutsche Bank Group.
We welcome applications from all people and promote a positive, fair and inclusive work environment.


Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Click these links to view "Deutsche Bank’s Equal Opportunity Policy Statement" and the following notices: "EEOC Know Your Rights"; "Employee Rights and Responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act"; and "Employee Polygraph Protection Act".