Field Research Photographer - Cologne

Field Research Photographer – Cologne

Job Description

CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) is a leading global provider of commercial and residential real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. The company is committed to digitizing real estate to help users discover properties, insights, and connections.

We are looking for Research Photographers who will support us as we build out an in-depth understanding of commercial real estate in Cologne and surrounding areas. The Research Photographer is responsible for ensuring that CoStar products represent current and accurate information and photographs of commercial properties through on‑site inspections within the assigned geography.

• Drive or walk assigned submarkets within core territories to collect imagery, information and updates – including identifying new availabilities, missing inventory, updating construction status, and adding up‑to‑date high resolution images where required.
• Cross‑reference new leads with current information on the CoStar database by researching sales and lease comparable data; once satisfied that the information is new, collect building data and contact information on the property and send to the in‑house Research team.
• Photograph and collect building attribute data and contact information on all commercial properties with for‑lease and for‑sale signs across the assigned territory.
• While in front of the targeted property, collect all visible data fields about the property including, but not limited to, the address, building type, number of stories, gross building area, building height, industrial loading information, and retail‑specific details.
• Use Adobe software suite to post‑process digital images.
• Create footprint and rooftop geocode for each building using the polygon tool in field mapping software.
• Associate any assigned tenant locations to a property and photograph tenant space.
• Follow daily Research procedures, including quality communication with the Photography Manager to ensure assignments are carried out efficiently and completed within a predefined time frame, and accurately log working time and provide production updates.
• Upload data and images collected on the day the properties are canvassed.
• Photograph and collect data on multiple properties per day as predefined by the manager.
• Visually scan commercial properties in the assigned submarket while driving or walking to meet the target number of potential listings (leasing and/or sale signs) per day when working on lead projects.
• Use a provided drone to capture high‑quality aerial imagery of the properties researched, enhancing accuracy and visual insight.
• Professionally communicate with property managers and customers via phone, e‑mail, and in person.
• Abide by CoStar safety standards.
• Maintain company vehicle and equipment.
• Represent CoStar in a professional manner at all times.
• Participate in monthly conference calls with sales and research teams.
• Represent Research at occasional trade functions.

• Repetitive and frequent standing, seeing, sitting and walking up to 8 hours per day.
• Holding 2 kg in one hand for 5 minutes and carrying camera gear for up to 8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements needed to type and write.
• Exposed to various weather conditions each day.
• Exposed to vehicle noise and possible exhaust fumes.

• A full local driving licence (clean record preferred) is essential.
• Reading/writing proficiency in English and German.
• Technical proficiency in digital photography and post‑processing using the Adobe suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere Pro).
• Degree‑level education with a significant component related to photography.
• Willingness to travel to work across the country on special field‑related projects.
• Knowledge of Mac OS, Microsoft Office and Internet applications.
• An existing portfolio of property exterior and interior imagery.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Flexibility with the ability to positively adopt new processes.
• Hands‑on drone experience and a valid European A2 drone licence.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts such as commercial real‑estate terminology and mapping software.
• Ability to work on own initiative and follow CoStar protocols remotely without supervision.
• Comfortable working alone with daily support via phone and email.
• CoStar Group is a US‑headquartered business; our corporate language is English, so a CV in English and parts of the interview may be conducted in English.

Working at CoStar Group means enjoying a culture of collaboration and innovation, a path to professional development, and perks such as 29 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and a competitive remuneration package.

CoStar Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer; we maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.