Investment Manager

Location: Seoul, Korea

At Barings, we are as invested in our associates as we are in our clients. We recognize those who work diligently for us and reward them for personal and professional integrity, communication skills, distinct competencies and expertise in specific strategies, ability to collaborate as a team member and true dedication to the interests of our clients.

We thank you for your interest in joining the Barings team, and invite you to explore our current employment opportunities.

Barings is a leading global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients and customers. Through active asset management and direct origination, we provide innovative solutions and access to differentiated opportunities across public and private capital markets. A subsidiary of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with business and investment professionals located across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Job Summary

Barings is a leading global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients and customers. Through active asset management and direct origination, we provide innovative solutions and access to differentiated opportunities across public and private capital markets. A subsidiary of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with business and investment professionals located across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Barings Real Estate APAC is establishing a dedicated real estate investment presence in Seoul. Joshua Lodge will join the Korea real estate team as an Associate Director, Investments, based in Seoul for the period of his assignment. The role is to assist the team in sourcing and underwriting Korean real estate opportunities, financial modelling, due diligence and investment committee paper preparation, and for supporting the asset management of existing Korean investments. The role will work closely with the APAC real estate team across Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul, and with Barings Korea colleagues on local structuring, regulatory and fund administration matters.

The role combines strong investment analytics with building relationships in a new market, working with brokers, developers, joint venture partners, lenders and advisors. It offers significant exposure to building out a new market platform and long-term opportunities for progression and development within the organisation.

Reporting Lines

The role reports to Michael Flynn, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate APAC (ex Aus), who will be responsible for day-to-day direction, investment priorities, objectives, performance management and compensation.

As required by Korean law and regulation, and for matters governed by Barings Korea as the local asset management company (AMC), the role will also have a local reporting line to Don Ahn, Managing Director, Head of Investment Solutions & Product Structuring and Development, Korea. This local reporting line covers local regulatory compliance, AMC governance and internal policies, local investment committee processes, Korean fund and vehicle administration, and local employment and HR matters.

Primary Responsibilities

Ensure the local RE team understand teh modelling and underwrite and asset management approach of Barings RE APAC.

Review strategies and help recommend optimal investment routes for Barings in Korean RE.

Assist in origination and screening Korean real estate opportunities, with an initial focus on logistics and other sectors in line with APAC strategy; develop investment recommendations and present opportunities to senior stakeholders.

Build and maintain a network of brokers, developers, owners, lenders and advisors in Korea to support both brokered and off-market deal flow.

Assist as is possible with the full transaction lifecycle from LOI/MOU and negotiation, through due diligence, SPA and settlement, coordinating closely with Barings Korea and external advisors.

Acquisition and investment analysis, including detailed acquisition feasibilities and financial models covering DCF analysis, IRR and equity multiple modelling, development feasibility analysis, capital structures, return waterfalls, and sensitivity and scenario analysis.

Run due diligence processes and prepare and deliver investment committee papers for both Barings global/APAC approvals and Korea (AMC) investment committee approvals, as well as divestment papers.

Support the asset management of existing Korean investments and contribute to quarterly investor reports, client and partner reporting and presentations.

Assist with the annual business planning and budget process for the Korea real estate portfolio to maximise investment performance.

Undertake ad hoc economic, property and market research on Korean real estate markets (including vacancy, supply, rents, cap rates and interest rates) to support new acquisitions, investment proposals and capital raising.

Manage the Korea acquisition pipeline process and pipeline reporting to the APAC real estate team.

Work with Barings Korea on fund and vehicle structuring, regulatory filings and compliance obligations as required under the AMC framework.

4–7 years of commercial real estate investment analysis experience within a private equity real estate, investment management, developer or institutional investor environment.

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a real estate, finance, business or mathematics emphasis.

Detailed understanding of a wide range of property sectors plus a strong transactional track record.

Ability to quickly assess opportunities and form informed investment views with limited information.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

High-quality writing skills.

Ability to produce detailed material and outputs with minimal input from senior colleagues.

Able to work independently and take ownership of tasks while functioning well in a team and contributing positively to team culture and objectives, including across a cross-border team.

Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, across cultures and languages.

Willingness to understand and operate within Korean regulatory requirements and Barings Korea AMC policies. Korean language skills are advantageous but not required.

Excellent problem-solving skills, keen attention to detail, high level of integrity, professionalism and pride in quality of work, with a willingness to learn.

Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while working to strict deadlines.

Requisite Skills

Additional Skills

Barings is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; Minority/Female/Age/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply.