Business Analyst - Operations

Equity Residential (EQR) is an S&P 500 real estate company and an industry leading multi-family REIT, headquartered in downtown Chicago. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to name a few –  provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

Working as a Business Analyst, Operations, under the direction of the Assistant VP, Financial Services, you will be responsible for all analysis and forecasting, financial review documentation for Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and special projects for the apartment communities within your assigned regional portfolio(s). You will work out of EQR’s corporate office in Chicago, IL, but will operate as a remote member of the regional operations team for your assigned portfolio(s), consisting of the Senior Vice President Property Management, Vice President Property Management (VPPM), Regional Managers (RMs), and Regional/Area Facilities Managers. The Business Analyst, Operations  will regularly collaborate with his/her assigned regional team(s), acting as the financial services partner for assigned VPPM(s). Depending on assigned portfolio(s), this position will support 25+ apartment communities (6,000+ units) across key EQR growth markets.  In addition, this Business Analyst, Operations position will partner closely with the Assistant VP, Financial Services to manage team processes, including (but not limited to): keeping tools up to date, leading coast-to-coast analysis projects, and budgeting—to name a few. Get ready, because each day will be unique, requiring you to prioritize, multitask, think strategically, take initiative, and employ a diverse set of skills!

WHO YOU ARE:

• Analytical and Creative. You have strong quantitative skills and are comfortable analyzing data, evaluating trends, and building effective budgets. You like thinking outside the box to come up with smart solutions to new challenges, and you embrace the opportunity to live in the gray.
• A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you connect well with others. You get to the point quickly and succinctly; can make complicated concepts and data clear to others. And even under stressful situations, you find it easy to employ your good listening skills, displaying a keen sense of what to say and when to say it.
• Organized and Confident. You are flexible, composed, and able to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, while confidently interacting with individuals across all levels of the organization.  Your skills in this area display your understanding of executive language and thinking.
• Technologically Savvy. Tools like email and internet access start as basic necessities in your daily operation. You bring a deep knowledge of Microsoft Excel is a tool that you know like the back of your hand and you rely on it to successfully analyze data and/or organize and manipulate information into a user friendly format. You are also proficient using Essbase, online automated accounting systems, and Google Apps for Business.
• A Solution-Oriented, Energetic, Positive Team Player. You are united with teammates and follow through on commitments, so you are known as trusted business partner and someone your teammates can count on. You also enjoy being an outgoing, gregarious brand ambassador who motivates and excites others to elevate their performance.
• Trustworthy and Discerning. You consistently gather all necessary data and arrive at high quality decisions and recommendations with an eye on impact. 
• Passionate. Motivated. Eager to Learn.  You ask smart questions, challenge the status quo, and regularly seek to understand. You invest extra energy to reach your goals. And when a special project arises, you volunteer.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Participate in monthly operational review meetings for assigned portfolio(s) to evaluate performance, implement new guidelines, and identify and support corrective actions. Document monthly operational review meeting in order to meet Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.      
• Perform field compliance research as determined by your assigned VPPM(s) and/or your manager. For example, use current policies set around spend to evaluate and identify outliers. Also, assist assigned property management team(s) in evaluating on-site administrative employees in both policy adherence and procedure compliance.
• Coordinate central department data to complete all annual budgets associated with assigned portfolio(s).               
• Assist assigned regional property management team(s) on new acquisitions, including determining hardware needs, preparing and reviewing operations proformas, and completing the initial cold loads. Ensure a smooth transition for newly acquired communities during the acquisition process.
• Resolve problems and research opportunities for properties as identified by assigned VPPM(s) and coordinate with Regional Managers to assist in corrective behavior and results.
• Utilize Equity Residential systems (MRI, OP’s, EIS, Essbase, etc.) and act as a subject matter expert, assisting support corporate users on all systems.
• Perform additional analysis, special projects, and other duties, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Accounting or Finance.
• 2+ years previous experience working in analytical roles required. Higher-level degree (i.e. MBA) may be substituted for previous work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills are essential.
• Must be able to organize and prioritize workload and work on numerous projects/tasks at one time. Strong detail-orientation is critical, along with a strong work ethic and a proven ability to work under tight deadlines without sacrificing quality of work product. Demonstrated influencing skills are also critical for success in the role.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Essbase, on-line automated accounting systems, and Google Apps for Business. Familiarity with Microsoft Query a plus!
• Must be available for overnight travel (approximately 10%) to any of Equity’s major core markets, as required.
• Ideal candidates will demonstrate an intellectual curiosity, comfort working in ambiguity, and an ability to act as a strategic business partner; constantly seeking ways to impact performance and impact change in behavior with the support of the operations team.
• Motivated to succeed with capacity to assume increasing responsibility.