Vice President of Investments

Location:
Chicago, IL. Candidates must be based in Chicago or willing to relocate.

First Hospitality’s investment platform, First Investors, is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic Vice President of Investments to join our Chicago-based team. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Investments & Capital Markets, this strategic role is ideal for a seasoned professional with 7+ years of experience in hospitality real estate, responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and executing investment opportunities across lifestyle, full-service, and select-service hotels.

The ideal candidate brings a strong investment acumen, a passion for hospitality, and a drive to grow with a fast-moving, entrepreneurial team.

First Investors is the investment platform of First Hospitality, with a track record of 45 ground up and opportunistic acquisitions beginning in 1985. Its disciplined approach has produced returns exceeding 20% across multiple market cycles, resulting in a current portfolio valued at approximately $700 million. The platform deploys capital on behalf of sophisticated high-net-worth individuals and leading institutions, using an integrated process to source, underwrite, and invest across diverse hospitality opportunities.

Looking ahead, First Investors plans to scale the platform well beyond $1 billion in assets under management over the next several years. Its core values — Drive to Win, Desire to Serve, Deliver with Passion, Own the Outcome, and Keep it Real-- guide every decision the organization makes and anchor its commitment to generating superior returns.

• Source on- and off-market deals aligned with the growth thesis across geographies and strategies
• Build and maintain a broker, owner, and advisor network that provides broad access to marketed and proprietary opportunities.
• Track market activity to develop data-backed investment themes that can be pursued proactively.
• Own, refine, and automate the underwriting model to deliver speed, accuracy, and transparency.
• Evaluate upside potential through operational improvements, repositioning, capital investment, and market growth.
• Identify and assess key downside risks (market, operational, capital, and execution) and develop mitigation strategies.
• Draft clear Investment Memos and confidently present and defend recommendations as well as risks, returns, and sensitivities to senior partners and LPs.

• Support equity and debt capital markets activities including outreach, analysis and investor materials. Partner with the capital raising team on roadshows and investor presentations.
• Deepen and maintain relationships with middle-market LPs and lenders. Assist with maintaining an expansive and accurate internal database of market participants.

• Negotiate term sheets, joint venture agreements, and purchase contracts in collaboration with counsel and leadership.
• Coordinate and oversee end-to-end due diligence process—including legal, tax, insurance, environmental, and title matters.
• Drive third-party consultants to deliver on-time, on-budget.
• Manage transaction timelines and closing processes with a high degree of organization and attention to detail.

• Deliver a complete, actionable deal file and business plan to Asset Management, and remain a strategic thought partner through exit. Provide market insights that inform revenue optimization, capital expenditure decisions, and disposition timing.
• Hire, coach, and hold accountable a team of analysts and associates while fostering a culture of curiosity, precision, and ownership. Build dashboards and feedback loops to turn every deal into a learning opportunity.

• Lend investment expertise to First Hospitality’s management-contract pitches to strengthen credibility with prospective owners on an as needed basis.

• Proven ability to execute the full investment lifecycle — sourcing, underwriting, due diligence, structuring, fundraising, negotiation, risk mitigation, and closing. Skilled in financial modeling, capital structuring, and term sheet negotiation.