Our Story

Our small Canadian-born business was founded in 1978 and has become a global organization that now spans 120 locations across 20 countries. Our expansion has been rapid but what matters most is the common belief that drives all 5000 of our people to be a different type of real estate organization. We believe that the places in which we live work and play have the power to make us happier and healthier and we are united by a shared sense of purpose to have a positive impact on peoples short we are a global commercial real estate advisory firm with a simple aim: for real estate to play a leading role in creating vibrant buildings cities and places that deliver long-lasting social value and economic impact.

Why Work for Us:

We believe that our industry is changing and we want our business to be a melting pot of curious minds passionate hearts and strategic intelligence. Your gender religion and race are all highly respected but are less important to us than your ability to step up and change the game. We provide you with a place where you can do just that with like-minded people. Collaboration is embedded in the way we work our people have the autonomy to collaborate on client relationships engage teams across the business lead operations work collectively on projects participate in strategy and are ultimately responsible for our growth. Our distinctive Principal-led privately-owned model puts us in the enviable position of being able to offer every employee the opportunity to own a share of our business and inspires and allows anyone to become a Principal. This role carries voting rights so our people have a very real say in the future direction and operation of our business. This means that we are able to attract engage and retain the best talent from the industry.

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Director to join our Student Accommodation Investment team. The successful candidate will lead on sourcing structuring and executing investment transactions in the UK and European student housing sector as well as developing and maintaining client relationships with institutional investors operators and developers.

This is a senior leadership role requiring deep sector knowledge proven deal-making ability and the capacityto contribute to the continued growth of Avison Youngs alternatives platform.

Key Responsibilities:

Transaction Leadership: Lead the acquisition disposal and structuring of student accommodation investment opportunities on behalf of institutional and private clients.

Business Development: Originate new mandates foster client relationships and contribute to growing Avison Youngs profile in the student housing sector.

Financial Analysis: Oversee the preparation and review of financial models investment appraisals and underwriting assumptions.

Client Advisory: Provide strategic advice to investors developers and operators on market trends funding structures and portfolio strategies.

Due Diligence: Manage full due diligence processes including financial legal technical and operational reviews.

Market Insight: Monitor and report on student accommodation trends supply/demand dynamics planning policy and investor sentiment.

Team Leadership: Manage and mentor junior team members ensuring high-quality outputs and professional development.

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across Capital Markets Valuation Planning and Development Consultancy to deliver integrated solutions for clients.

ESG & Compliance: Ensure all advice and transactions meet regulatory risk and sustainability requirements.

8 years experience in real estate investment with a strong track record in student accommodation or

alternative residential sectors. Proven ability to originate structure and close complex investment transactions.

Strong knowledge of UK and European student housing markets including key demand drivers and development pipeline.

Excellent financial modelling and appraisal skills; ability to challenge and validate assumptions.

Established network of investors operators and developers active in the sector.

Strong negotiation and client-facing skills.

Degree in Real Estate Finance Economics or related discipline (postgraduate qualification preferred). Professional accreditation (MRICS CFA or equivalent) desirable.

Demonstrated leadership ability with experience managing and mentoring teams.

Personal Attributes:

Commercially minded and entrepreneurial with the ability to identify and convert new business opportunities.

Highly analytical and detail-oriented while capable of strategic and creative thinking.

Strong interpersonal and presentation skills with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders. Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.

Motivated resilient and adaptable in a dynamic market environment.

At Avison Young weve always put people at the heart of what we do.
In the last few years weve increased the diversity at our board leadership and Principal levels. Avison Young stands out for our commitment to empowering addition to increasing the number of women on our board and in our leadership ranks our internal Womens Network of more than 500 members come together for networking and learning and advise the business on strategies for promoting access opportunity and inclusion in our industry.
Our global DEI steering committee shapes our strategy to continue to increase industry access for underrepresented groups and accelerating initiatives led by our employee resource groups including our Womens Network Black Professionals and LGBTQ addition to leading global initiatives the steering committees work examines our policies and practices creating accountability for results and communicating progress to our executive leadership our clients and our communities.

Our culture is underpinned by our approach to diversity inclusion and well-being. We are committed to building an inclusive culture that:

• empowers all our employees to thrive
• reflects all backgrounds and talents
• allows individuals to be successful and feel a sense of belonging
• and foster a workplace that is supported inclusive and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

Avison Young is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to treating all its employees and job applicants equitably. This includes implementing deliberate strategies that advance underrepresented communities in commercial real estate careers.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any adjustments to support your application or any part of the recruitment process such as information in alternative formats or special requirements to access our buildings or you are eligible under the Disability Confident Scheme please contact us at> and we will do everything we can to help.

We are committed to inclusion in our hiring processes and we want to give everyone a chance to show what they can bring to our organisation. If you are not sure that you have all the skills in the person specification please still apply. We value passion and potential in our employees so it would be great to hear from you and why you would suit this position.

Some of our roles may be remote and some roles may be specific to our offices but you will need to confirm you have the right to work in the UK.