Associate - Property Research Analyst

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Job description

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.

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a Property Research Analyst to join our London-based Property Research Team as an Associate. The role will involve:

• Analysing economic trends and investment themes to produce views on the rental growth and investment performance outlook for relevant parts of the UK and international property markets. Use in combination with portfolio analysis to provide strategic recommendations and inform decision-making for M&G Real Estate client funds (both direct and indirect).
  
• Developing new ideas, methodologies, analytics, processes and products to aid the performance of M&G Real Estate client funds and develop M&G Real Estate's business.
  

The Team

The Property Research Team (PRT) is comprised of nine individuals based in London and three team members based in Singapore. Research and advice developed by the PRT supports the acquisition and disposal activities of our Fund and Investment Managers across the UK, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific and North America regions. The Research function is a critical aspect of our business, helping to ensure that the business is alive to current and future trends in global real estate markets activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Through original work and thorough critical review of others' work, develop views on rental growth, pricing and investment performance prospects for property markets in the UK and other global regions as required.
  
• Assist investment professionals in the determination of appropriate local-level market and asset-specific assumptions/forecasts for investment appraisal purposes.
  
• Produce analysis and written reports to support the views held on economic and investment themes, rental growth and prospective returns. These will form the basis of the Real Estate Outlook output and other market debriefs as required.
  
• Analyse Fund positioning and strategy, liaising with Fund Managers and the PAU (Portfolio Analysis Unit). Formulate investment strategy recommendations and determine portfolio risk, and contribute to the setting of investment objectives.
  
• Produce reports and presentations giving M&G Real Estate client funds advice on the strategies they should adopt given views on market prospects, risks and portfolio analysis conducted.
  
• Complete ad-hoc queries and research projects on specific topics that advance the knowledge of M&G Real Estate and PRT. Outputs may be for internal consumption or for external publication.
  
• As requested, produce research papers and presentations for public/external consumption to help M&G RE's sales and marketing efforts. This may include involvement in pitches to clients.
  
• As required, help to assess specific proposed transactions, both in the UK and overseas.
  
• Contribute to the performance measurement work of the Portfolio Analysis Unit (PAU), by assisting in portfolio analysis work on various funds to help inform forward-looking strategy.
  
• Help develop analytical capabilities, and maintain databases as required, to support the above activities.
  
• To understand and demonstrate positive behaviours in line with our Attributes/Expectations.
  
• To understand the Company's Sustainability vision and apply the Sustainability Strategy as appropriate for your role.
  
• To understand the Health and Safety responsibilities appropriate for your role and ensure that they are undertaken in accordance with the relevant Company policies, procedures and guidelines. This includes responsibilities relating to your own H&S and others affected by your actions. Any concerns relating to H&S risks must be escalated to your line Manager and the Company's H&S Manager.
  
• The specific allocation of responsibilities may change from time to time as team planning requires or for staff development purposes.
  

Essential Experience and/or Skills

• Knowledge and experience will vary for this position with responsibilities and work allocation varying to match individual abilities.
  

Desirable Experience and/or Skills

• Degree in economics or related subject or experience of working in an environment with uses economic skills and analysis.
  
• There are no required professional qualifications. This role is likely to require academic (and more specifically research) training rather than professional training. Substantial analytical skills required.
  
• Expertise in data science/data analytics and/or coding is highly desirable.
  
• IMC (Investment Management Certificate) will be expected in due course.
  

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