Analyst – Investment Analysis

Role Purpose

Participate in feasibility and investment analysis for real estate development projects. With direction from project manager or director, conduct financial modeling, market research, and analysis of comparable asset performance. Coordinate with corporate Operations, Technical Services, Brand Management, Tax, Legal, and Finance Departments to ensure all issues relevant to development projects are properly identified, analyzed, and documented in the Company’s capital papers.

Key Accountabilities

• Financial Modeling/Investment Analysis - Participate in financial modeling to include NPV, IRR, and earnings impact, by using proforma developed for Subject, proposed deal terms provided by VP of Development, and input as appropriate from Technical Services, Tax, and Financial Reporting teams. Review findings with Director or project manager to determine financial viability of project, and assist in developing proposed enhancements/modifications to deal terms to make each project meet the Company’s returns requirements. Revise modeling/analysis/proposal, as necessary, throughout negotiations of deal terms.
• Market Feasibility Analysis – Participate in determining competitive set for hotel being analyzed (“Subject”) by reviewing existing supply in market place and identifying competitive assets. Obtain historical occupancy and ADR performance for the competitive set from Smith Travel Research and counterparts at other lodging companies. Determine positioning of the Subject within competitive set, review historical supply and demand growth patterns for the competitive set, and identify any known additions to supply in the market. Project occupancy and ADR for the Subject and determine viability of the Subject within the market. Review analysis and findings with VP of Operations and VP of Development to obtain consensus on market feasibility. Projects include small or relatively simple competitive sets.
• Writing Capital Approval Papers – If the Company decides to pursue the project, participate in writing portions of the necessary approval papers for the Americas Operating Committee and the Executive Committee as directed (approval papers have historically ranged from 5 – 50 pages depending upon the size of the Company’s investment, and include a description of the project, the dynamics of the competitive market, competitive properties, proposed positioning of the Subject, deal structure, S.W.O.T. analysis, and financial implications to the Company).
• Developing Proforma Income Statements - Obtain historical P&L (profit and loss) statements for comparable assets from within the Company’s estate, or from outside consultants. Review performance of competitive assets and similarities/dissimilarities between competitive assets and the Subject. Utilize most comparable key performance metrics from P&L statements analyzed and occupancy/ADR projections developed during market feasibility analysis to develop proforma P&L for the Subject. Review findings and support with VP of Operations and VP of Business Development, and develop consensus on the Subject’s projected performance.
• Market/Industry Research – Consult with industry contacts (e.g., consultants, real estate brokers, counterparts at other major lodging companies, etc.) and review industry publications/forecasts to remain knowledgeable of general market/industry trends and to facilitate market/industry research. Provide findings to project manager or director and internal clients to facilitate understanding of competitive fee structures for business segments (e.g., timeshare branding, etc.) which are new to the Company. In addition, provide a framework on the direction of industry trends and performance to assist in projecting hotel performance.
• Ad Hoc Investment Analysis Projects – May assist the Director of Investment Analysis or project manager with review of financial analysis conducted within other areas of the Finance Department. Assistance may include providing guidance to Finance Department on financial modeling and the Company’s analysis policies or conducting financial analysis for non-hotel specific projects such as the Company’s franchise development plan.
   

Key Skills & Experiences

Education –

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Hotel Management, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.

Experience

• 1-3 years progressive work-related experience in financial analysis, forecasting, statistical analysis, data mining and interpretation, or similar, with demonstrated understanding of multiple disciplines/processes related to the position.

Technical skills and Knowledge –

• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills for the purpose of providing information to clients, vendors and/or staff. Must be able to work effectively with senior managers, possess strong relationship management skills, and well-developed negotiating and persuading abilities.
• Demonstrated financial and business analysis skills, and demonstrated ability to analyze operating, forecast, and budget information. Demonstrated ability to use the results of analysis to make effective strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial statements, financial principles and the ability to convert them to use in the hotel industry.
• Demonstrated PeopleSoft, Hyperion, or similar computer system experience preferred
• Highly proactive and flexible competency levels with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks/projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the relevant labor market, economic conditions, and industry trends. Demonstrated ability to analyze these factors and draw logical conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to use statistical mining software and related programs, as well as to generate documents or reports in EXCEL, Word and PowerPoint.

Please note that this is a hybrid position and requires going to the Guadalajara office 3-4 times per week.

If you're interested, please apply with your resume in English