Senior Financial Analyst — Commercial Real Estate (Principal Side, Retail Focus

Location: Irvine, CA

Reports To: Head of Operations / CFO

A commercial retail real estate company is seeking a high-level Senior Financial Analyst to drive investment decisions, asset strategy, and portfolio performance across a retail-focused platform.

This is a principal-side role with direct impact on capital allocation, leasing strategy, redevelopment decisions, and portfolio optimization. The position requires an operator mindset — someone who understands how retail assets perform in the real world and can translate complex data into clear, actionable decisions.

AI and automation are core to this role. The Analyst will be responsible for building and leveraging AI-driven tools to enhance underwriting, accelerate analysis, and create scalable systems that improve decision-making across the company.

• Lead underwriting of acquisitions, dispositions, and development opportunities
• Build advanced, dynamic financial models (IRR, NPV, cash flow, sensitivity analysis)
• Evaluate risk-adjusted returns and provide clear go/no-go recommendations
• Analyze capital deployment strategies across the portfolio to maximize returns

• Model leasing scenarios including rent structures, TI packages, tenant mix, and lease-up timing
• Evaluate tenant credit, co-tenancy impacts, and merchandising strategy
• Support leasing negotiations with real-time financial analysis

• Underwrite repositioning strategies, site reconfigurations, and capital improvements
• Model phased redevelopment strategies and their impact on cash flow and NOI
• Build and deploy AI tools to automate underwriting, reporting, and scenario analysis
• Develop internal systems that integrate leasing, construction, and financial data into a unified model
• Use AI to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities across the portfolio
• Continuously improve analytical workflows to increase speed, accuracy, and scalability

• Monitor and analyze performance across all assets
• Identify underperforming assets and recommend strategic actions
• Support hold/sell/reposition decisions with data-driven analysis
• Provide ongoing insight into portfolio-level risk and opportunity

• Prepare investment memos, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership
• Deliver clear, concise recommendations backed by data and scenario analysis
• Operate as a thought partner to leadership on strategic and financial decisions

• 7–12+ years of experience in commercial real estate finance (principal-side required)
• Deep expertise in retail real estate analysis and asset performance
• Advanced financial modeling skills with ability to build complex, dynamic models from scratch
• Strong understanding of leasing economics, TI structures, and redevelopment strategies
• Proven ability to operate independently and influence investment decisions
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, or related field (advanced degree preferred)

• Operator-level understanding of retail real estate performance and strategy
• Strong financial acumen with ability to evaluate real-world deal outcomes
• High proficiency in Excel and experience leveraging AI tools for analysis and automation
• Ability to synthesize large data sets into clear insights and recommendations
• Strong communication skills with executive-level presence
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer
• Occasional travel to property locations for on-site analysis
• Performance-based bonus tied to investment and portfolio outcomes
• Office-based role in Irvine corporate office
• High-performance, execution-focused environment
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and investment decisions
• Fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture with emphasis on ownership and accountability