Baker Tilly is seeking a Principal to join and help lead our Real Estate Advisory Team within the Financial Advisory Services Group. Baker Tilly's Real Estate Advisory practice helps developers, owners, operators, investors, lenders and other stakeholders make informed decisions across the real estate life cycle. Our work includes transaction strategy, development feasibility, financial modeling, market and portfolio analysis, asset management advisory, operating and finance transformation, and other complex real estate consulting assignments. The Principal will be a senior, market-facing leader responsible for originating and expanding client relationships, leading complex advisory engagements, developing our professionals and advancing the growth of the practice. The successful candidate will combine deep real estate expertise, strong commercial judgment and a collaborative leadership style to deliver practical, high-impact solutions for clients.
Responsibilities:
Serve as the lead executive on complex real estate advisory engagements, with responsibility for scope, strategy, quality, risk management, economics and client outcomes. Build and maintain trusted relationships with real estate developers, owners, operators, institutional investors, private equity sponsors, REITs, lenders, family offices and other market participants. Originate new opportunities and expand existing accounts through targeted business development, internal cross-selling, referral relationships, market visibility and thought leadership. Advise clients on acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, refinancings, restructurings, development opportunities and portfolio-level decisions. Lead assignments involving transaction strategy and structure, scenario evaluation, financial modeling, underwriting, market and feasibility studies, development advisory and investment decision support. Oversee asset management and portfolio advisory engagements, including performance diagnostics, portfolio optimization, asset business planning, reporting improvement and value-creation initiatives. Guide operating and finance transformation projects involving management reporting, performance dashboards, processes, controls, data and real estate operating models. Develop and communicate clear, defensible recommendations to executive management teams, investment committees, boards and other senior stakeholders. Assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams across financial advisory, valuation, tax, assurance, risk, technology and other specialties to address complex client needs. Coach, sponsor and develop team members; establish clear expectations; review work; and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability and exceptional client service. Support practice strategy, including service development, go-to-market planning, recruiting, resource management, pricing discipline and financial performance. Contribute to proposals, presentations, publications, industry events and other market-facing initiatives that strengthen Baker Tilly's Real Estate Advisory brand.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, economics, business, accounting or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus. Typically 15 or more years of progressively responsible experience in real estate advisory, investment, development, asset management, transaction consulting, capital markets or a related field including valuations for financial reporting purposes (e.g. ASC 805 and ASC 820).Established record of originating work, expanding senior client relationships and leading complex, profitable professional services engagements. Deep understanding of commercial real estate investment fundamentals, capital structures, debt and equity markets, development economics, portfolio strategy and asset-level performance. Advanced financial analysis and modeling capabilities, including cash flow forecasting, scenario and sensitivity analysis, returns analysis and complex transaction structures. Ability to synthesize market, operational and financial information into clear strategic recommendations and executive-level communications. Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success building teams, developing professionals and collaborating across service lines and geographies. Excellent written, verbal, presentation and negotiation skills, with the executive presence to advise senior management teams, investment committees and boards. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word; experience with ARGUS Enterprise, real estate data platforms and analytics or visualization tools is preferred. Relevant professional designations or licenses, such as MAI, CFA, CPA, MRICS, CCIM or a certified general real estate appraiser credential, are valued but not required. Willingness to travel as needed to serve clients, develop relationships and support the national practice.
