Analyst, Investments and Business Development

About this job…

The Analyst will provide critical capacity to First Hospitality's underwriting team, supporting both Investments and Business Development. Reporting to the Senior Analyst of Investments, this role is designed for a motivated professional eager to learn the fundamentals of hospitality real estate finance.

In your first year, you'll handle a high volume of rapid property evaluations, gradually building toward full financial modeling as your skills develop. You'll also support deal presentations, maintain pipeline-tracking systems, and conduct market research to inform strategic decisions. This position offers hands-on learning in a collaborative environment where senior team members are invested in your growth and success.

This role will be 100% in-person to accelerate learning and development. The role will be based at First Hospitality’s downtown Chicago office.

What’s in it for you…

• Insurance enrollment available from DAY 1!
• Paid time off available from DAY 1!
• Holiday pay available from DAY 1!
• 401(k) enrollment after 30 days!
• Hotel and travel discounts at worldwide destinations!
• Structured mentorship and a clear path for professional development!
• Exposure to all aspects of hotel investment and business development!

What you’ll be doing…

• Property Valuations: Conduct rapid assessments of acquisition opportunities and management agreement prospects, identifying key value drivers and potential risks to help the team prioritize where to focus detailed analysis.
• Market Research & Analysis: Research market dynamics, competitive sets, demand drivers, and trends affecting target properties and markets to inform investment recommendations and business development strategies.
• Investment Package Preparation: Develop detailed investment packages for presentation to senior leadership and capital partners.
• Investment Process Support: Assist in all phases of the investment pipeline, from initial due diligence to closing, ensuring smooth transaction processes.
• Pipeline Management: Maintain deal tracking systems, update status reports, and ensure accurate documentation of all active opportunities across both investment and business development pipelines.
• Data Gathering & Organization: Collect and organize property information, market data, operating statements, and other materials needed to support thorough underwriting, due diligence, and decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams across finance, operations, and external partners to ensure alignment with investment strategies and goals.

The ideal candidate for this position will have…

• Four-year degree preferred in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Hospitality, Economics, or related field.
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in real estate finance, investment banking, consulting, or hospitality analysis. Candidates with strong internship experience or relevant academic coursework will also be considered.
• Excel Proficiency: Demonstrated comfort in building financial models and working with large datasets in Excel; experience with real estate underwriting models is a plus but not required.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong quantitative skills with the ability to interpret financial statements, identify key value drivers, and translate complex information into clear insights.
• Organization & Detail Orientation: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy.
• Communication Skills: Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize information and present findings to team members at various levels.
• Learning Agility: Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to develop expertise in hospitality real estate; willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and continuously improve.
• Work Ethic & Initiative: Self-motivated with a proactive approach to taking ownership of tasks, identifying ways to add value, and following through on commitments.
• Integrity & Discretion: Demonstrated commitment to upholding high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality when handling sensitive investment information.

About First Hospitality...

Founded in 1985 and based in Chicago, First Hospitality is a forward-thinking hotel development, investment, and management company.  First Hospitality’s strategic vision is to create value for all through excellence and an openness to doing things differently.

First Hospitality seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employee’s differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the customers we serve.  FH fosters an inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness.  Equal Opportunity Employer.