Asia Pacific Co-Head of Research & Strategy Full Time

Reporting to the Global Head of Research & Strategy and regional business leadership, you will lead an established and respected Asia Pacific research and strategy team, based in Singapore. You will also work closely with your counterpart, the Japan-focused Co-Head of Research & Strategy based in Tokyo and their team on pan-regional strategies and initiatives. Finally, you will lead the implementation of fair value and relative value methodologies across the Asia-Pacific platform and contribute to their roll-out globally.

Research is a key facet of the investment decision-making at LaSalle and significant resources and recognition are allocated to the function. The team commands and has earned great respect by both internal colleagues and clients/competitors across the industry. This is a broad role advising on Asia Pacific as well as global portfolio strategies and real estate markets, and has a genuine impact on the business. The role is external-facing and includes presentations to both existing and prospective investors. Research & Strategy is currently represented on the Investment Committee by the Global Head of Research & Strategy, but it is envisioned that this seat would eventually be transferred to you for all investments outside Japan.

Role and Accountabilities:

You will be responsible for co-leading the research and strategy function in Asia-Pacific, with a focus on pan-regional tools and strategies, regional involvement in global strategy projects, and managing a Singapore-based team of research and strategy professionals who hold coverage responsibilities across the region. You will partner with the Japan Co-Head of Research and Strategy to lead the overall Asia-Pacific research and strategy function and manage its workload. You will be responsible for providing guidance to senior leaders, investment teams, and clients, on the direction of the region’s real estate markets, and contribute actively to the development of investment strategies for a range of different risk-return styles in the generation of outstanding investment performance. Additionally, you will collaborate with the Head of Global Quantitative Strategy to lead the analytical rollout of global tools that drive fair value determinations and guide global portfolio construction. Detailed responsibilities include:

• Oversee in-house forecasting outputs for Asia Pacific ex-Japan using in-house research and bought-in third party forecasts. Lead enhancement of the suite of existing forecasting outputs (expanding the geographies and product types covered and enhancing the process and models), as well as driving efficiency and new ways of analyzing markets.
• Analyze regional economies, review real estate market forecasts, conduct proprietary forecasting to develop target markets and “fair value” analyses for the region’s key markets.
• Provide advice, in the form of country, sector and investment style recommendations through a formal House View process at a regular cadence, as well as regular ongoing communication. Convener, with the regional co-CIOs, of the House View process.
• Provide investment teams with views on how long-term secular and structural themes could affect specific locations and markets when looking at potential investment/divestment decisions.
• Support regional management in developing new business opportunities and meeting with prospective clients, including support of capital and equity raising initiatives through developing and presenting the research case for new fund products to potential investors.
• Directly supervise and provides training to research staff, and develop the team’s broader talent strategy, including: identifying career paths for mid-level/junior staff, attracting and retaining top talent for the group, supporting Culture of Care initiatives, and building team morale within R&S and more broadly in the firm.
• A key voice LaSalle research externally as it pertains to Asia Pacific, representing the firm in media appearances, conference presentations, and engagement with industry organizations, as well as contributing to external publications such as those that make up the ISA suite.
• Cultivates relationships with key clients that augment their primary relationships with Investor Relations and fund managers.
• Actively engages with Asia-Pacific ESG/sustainability efforts, and member of Asia Pacific Sustainability Committee, with a focus on where these intersect with investment strategy.
• Co-manages the region’s research & strategy budget and coordinates with regional COO, CFO, business heads, and the Global Head of Research & Strategy on resourcing.
• Sets priorities and objectives for the regional team in collaboration with the head of the business line and the Global Head of Research & Strategy.
• Helps set the direction of the Global R&S team along with counterparts in other regions and the Global Head of R&S. Communicates support of global projects and assigns global project responsibilities to regional staff.
• Manages operational matters for the regional team, including coordinating with regional leaders from technology, human resources, etc.
• In addition to regional responsibilities, will be key contributor to or co-leader of the roll-out of global initiatives, especially global quantitative strategy, global risk, and global portfolio construction frameworks.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Deep experience in real estate investment management research & strategy, including a significant track record in managing people and external-facing communication. Bachelor’s degree is required and Master’s degree is preferred.
• Expert-level knowledge of economics, finance, and statistics. In-depth understanding of real estate markets, investments, and institutional investment strategies. Capacity to innovate beyond established approaches & techniques.
• Significant experience analyzing real estate markets which must include Asia Pacific.
• Strong macro analytical & numerical skills. Proven ability to turn facts and data into compelling conclusions and form a conceptual overview. Exposure and understanding of capital markets is preferred.
• High level written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate clearly to internal and external clients in English. Knowledge of key Asia-Pacific languages (especially Mandarin Chinese or Korean) a plus, but not a requirement.
• Proven experience in managing, motivating, and developing highly competent teams.
• Ability to communicate with authority and relevance in both formal and informal settings and with colleagues and clients at all levels of seniority.
• Sound negotiating and influencing skills. Confidence in their own conviction ability to influence the thinking of investment and fund teams.
• Mature and confident self-starter.
• Energy and drive to work at a high tempo, independently or as part of a team. LaSalle has a collegiate style of managing and is a demanding but rewarding environment.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and clients across different geographies and cultures.
• A keen interest and enthusiasm for change and efficiency improvement via the adoption and use of greater and better technology solutions. A change mentality with an inquisitive mind to explore and implement digital change.
• Candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Source: LaSalle Investment Management Company’s Page

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