Research Healthcare Lead - Research & Strategy

Clarion Partners has been a leading real estate investment manager for over 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the firm maintains strategically located offices across the United States and Europe. Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to approximately 500 institutional investors across the globe. Clarion Partners operates independently as a Specialist Investment Manager owned by Franklin Templeton (FT), a diversified firm that spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, giving us many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals.

The Opportunity
Clarion Partners is seeking a senior leader to head Healthcare Research, responsible for defining and driving the firm’s strategic perspective across healthcare-related real estate and operating platforms. This individual will play a critical role in shaping investment strategy, guiding capital allocation decisions, and strengthening Clarion’s competitive position in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Reporting to the Global Head of Research & Strategy, this highly visible role works closely with senior stakeholders across Portfolio Management, Transactions, Asset Management, and Client Capital Management, as well as directly with a dedicated data science team. The Healthcare Research Lead will have direct influence on investment decision-making, product development, and client engagement.

Scope and Responsibilities
1. Investment Strategy Leadership
•    Define Clarion’s house view on healthcare real estate sectors, including medical office, life sciences, senior housing, skilled nursing, and emerging healthcare formats.
•    Evaluate risk-adjusted returns across healthcare property types, geographies, care settings, and operator models.
•    Translate sector insights into actionable investment theses across core, core-plus, and value-add strategies.
2. Sector Research & Market Intelligence
•    Analyze key demand drivers, including demographics, healthcare utilization patterns, reimbursement frameworks, labor dynamics, and care delivery trends.
•    In partnership with the data science and AI team, develop forward-looking market forecasts incorporating regulatory, policy, and macroeconomic considerations.
•    Identify and assess structural shifts—including outpatient migration, aging demographics, and life sciences and biotech clustering—and convert them into investable themes.
3. Operator & Platform Analysis
•    Assess the role of operating partners in value creation across healthcare assets and platforms.
•    Evaluate operator performance, scalability, capitalization structures, and alignment.
•    Differentiate and articulate operating risk versus real estate risk across healthcare subsectors.
4. Data-Driven Insights & Forecasting
•    Partner closely with the data science team to develop and refine predictive models, location analytics, and portfolio-level insights.
•    Identify, evaluate, and integrate new data sources (e.g., clinical, demographic, mobility, reimbursement, and policy data) to enhance investment decision-making.
•    Apply advanced analytics, GIS, and big data concepts to support underwriting, market selection, and portfolio strategy.
5. Deal Underwriting Assumptions
•    Support deal teams by developing, validating, and documenting healthcare-specific underwriting assumptions (e.g., demand drivers, payor mix, reimbursement sensitivity, labor costs, and operating margin trends) for acquisitions, developments, and platform investments.
•    Benchmark key inputs versus internal portfolio performance and external market data (rent/NOI growth, occupancy, cap rates, expense inflation) and recommend appropriate base, upside, and downside cases.
•    Partner with Asset Management and operating partners to stress test operating assumptions and identify leading indicators that could drive variance to underwriting.
•    Provide Investment Committee-ready narratives that clearly explain the rationale, risks, and sensitivities behind core underwriting assumptions for healthcare strategies.
6. Thought Leadership & Client Engagement
•    Produce high-impact research outputs, including quarterly outlooks, white papers, and long-form sector research.
•    Serve as a key internal and external voice on healthcare investing for clients, consultants, and industry forums.
•    Support capital raising and client engagement through differentiated insights and clear strategic narratives.
7. Team Leadership & Collaboration
•    Lead, mentor, and develop junior research professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
•    Collaborate across research verticals (e.g., industrial, residential, alternatives) to identify cross-sector themes and hybrid investment opportunities.
•    Present regularly to senior leadership, investment committees, and clients to inform strategic decision-making.

Key Selection Criteria
•    Experience: Minimum of 15 years of research experience in real estate investment management, investment banking, public REIT, consulting, and/or academia, with a focus on healthcare research and urban economics.

•    Education: Bachelor’s degree from a leading university in real estate, finance, economics, business, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred

Professional Attributes

•    Proven direct experience and a substantial background in healthcare, encompassing various healthcare sectors such as senior housing, medical office, inpatient rehabilitation, and related assets across the risk spectrum. 
•    Superior writing skills with a demonstrated track record of publishing high-quality real estate research reports, white papers, and industry publications.
•    Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical analysis and concepts to clients in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.
•    Strong data analysis skills, with a solid understanding and appreciation of data science tools and platforms such as Python, Azure, GIS, and ESRI. A keen appreciation for big data analytics is essential.
•    Ability to provide macroeconomic analysis, market forecasting, and strategic insights that support capital raising, client services, and investment strategy.
•    Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and direct junior research analysts, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
•    Willingness to travel. 

Personal Attributes
•    Demonstrated ability to effectively present sophisticated, data-centric research to a diverse audience, including external investors and internal stakeholders, including the capacity to translate complex data and analysis into clear, actionable insights.
•    Possesses strong confidence and conviction, capable of presenting to clients, executives, and stakeholders in a clear, persuasive manner. 
•    Rigorous in their approach to research and analysis, ensuring thorough and accurate evaluations with strong analytical and quantitative skills, with a proven track record of leveraging data to drive strategic decision-making. 
•    Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion of deliverables. 
•    Strong project management skills, with experience in leading and coordinating research initiatives from inception to completion with the ability to set clear goals, manage timelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve desired outcomes.
•    A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate market trends and identify emerging opportunities taking a strategic approach to research and investment, with a focus on long-term value creation. 
•    Foster a collaborative atmosphere where team members respect and support each other, leveraging data science insights to enhance research and investment strategies.
•    Possesses an inclusive leadership style fostering a positive team environment and promoting continuous learning and development.
•    The ability to adapt to changing market conditions and organizational needs, demonstrating resilience and flexibility in the face of challenges. 
•    Someone with a humble and self-effacing nature, prioritizing team success to build strong relationships internally and with external stakeholders, ensuring a positive and productive work environment. Exhibits a forward-thinking mentality, adept at leveraging and evaluating new technology and resources to continuously enhance research and investment strategies.

If based in New York or Los Angeles, the base salary range for this position is USD $150,00.00 - $250,00.00. Actual base salary offered will be determined by several components including but not limited to the candidate's experience, job-related knowledge, and qualifications. Base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits offered in connection with the advertised role. Total compensation may vary based on role, location, and individual performance. For roles located outside of Chicago, please disregard the posted salary range as these roles will follow a separate compensation process based on the local market.