Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group LLC History
1920
In 1926, Herman and Bert Ackman founded Ackman Brothers. Initially focused on new construction and acquisition projects, the brothers shifted their focus to property refinancing opportunities with the onset of the Great Depression and World War II. During the post-war construction boom, the firm developed a reputation as a highly capable land assembler.
1960
Larry Ackman, Herman’s son, joined the firm during the 1960s, ultimately becoming president in 1968 and CEO in 1977. In response to the instability in interest rates and property values that marked the 1970s and 1980s, the firm engineered various financial vehicles to match market movements, thereby reducing a critical area of interest rate risk in clients’ projects.
1980
The firm embarked on the next stage of its evolution when Simon Ziff joined Ackman Brothers and Singer in 1989 as an analyst. Simon was named president of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group in 1995 and Larry Ackman assumed the Chairman role. As president, Simon has overseen the firm’s aggressive growth.
2020
Today, Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group is the industry’s preeminent boutique real estate capital advisory firm – offering a wide variety of cutting-edge commercial real estate capital markets financing solutions including debt and mezzanine financing, preferred and joint venture equity, sponsor equity, and investment sales. The privately held company is headquartered in New York City with offices in Miami, Los Angeles, and Boston.
Culture
Ackman-Ziff has been a trusted advisor for over 98 years. This longevity is not a result of luck or happenstance, but rather leadership’s focus on building a culture, not merely a company. Talented people placed in the right culture can do amazing things together – the company is simply the body while the culture is the soul.
Ackman-Ziff team members are focused on building long-term relationships with clients, many of which have evolved into long-term friendships. The firm’s key to such relationships – some even multi-generational – is its core ethos of ethics, integrity, honesty, and trust. These qualities begin internally with team member relationships, and naturally extend to the working relationships with clients. Client success is, naturally, of utmost importance.
If you are interested in learning more about Ackman-Ziff and how you may become part of its culture, please email your resume to human resources.
Careers
Ackman-Ziff is the industry’s preeminent boutique real estate capital advisory firm. Hiring guidelines are stringent and expectations are high. Ackman-Ziff seeks individuals who are entrepreneurial, creative, driven, and possess a strong desire to overachieve. Candidates must also be able to work in a collaborative environment and have the highest level of integrity.
The firm not only prides itself on attracting the industry’s best talent, but retaining talent over the long-term. Ackman-Ziff principals have worked together for 20-plus years and the average tenure of team members is 10-plus years. We are looking to fill the following positions:
Current Openings
Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group is seeking exceptional, highly motivated Associate-level professionals to join our New York office. This is a unique opportunity for ambitious individuals who want to build a long-term career at the forefront of commercial real estate finance, working on complex, high-profile transactions alongside industry leaders.
About Ackman-Ziff
Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group is the industry’s premier boutique real estate capital advisory firm, delivering sophisticated, cutting-edge capital markets solutions across debt, mezzanine, preferred equity, joint venture equity, and structured finance. Privately held and headquartered in New York, Ackman-Ziff has been a trusted advisor to the real estate industry for more than 100 years.
Our reputation is built on integrity, creativity, and unwavering advocacy for our clients. Ethics and trust are central to everything we do, and our fully collaborative, client-aligned model truly differentiates Ackman-Ziff from traditional advisory firms. We don’t just arrange capital—we partner with our clients to achieve exceptional outcomes.
Position Overview
As an Associate, you will be an integral member of our transaction execution team, working closely with senior management to structure and deliver the most compelling capital solutions available in the market. You will gain hands-on exposure across the full lifecycle of complex real estate financings while developing deep expertise in capital markets execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform sophisticated underwriting and financial analysis, including discounted cash flow modeling, income capitalization, leveraged IRR analysis, and comparable sales and cost analysis
- Prepare best-in-class financing memoranda and marketing materials, including market studies, cash flow analyses, transaction highlights, and project narratives
- Present financing memoranda to lenders and capital partners
- Coordinate and manage the collection and organization of all due diligence materials
- Work directly with senior leadership on the execution of debt, mezzanine, and equity transactions
- Review term sheets, loan documents, third-party reports, and other critical transaction materials
- Research and analyze real estate trends, debt and equity capital markets, and emerging opportunities to provide insightful market intelligence to clients and internal teams
- Oversee and review work prepared by analysts and interns
- Participate in client meetings and support the origination of new business opportunities
Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate Finance, or a related field from a top-tier institution; Master’s degree preferred
- Two to three years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage, lending, or a related capital markets role
- Strong financial modeling and underwriting skills in Excel; debt capital markets experience a plus
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and senior professionals
- Highly motivated, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); ARGUS experience a plus
- Authorization to work in the United States
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus potential
- Comprehensive and attractive health benefits
Ackman-Ziff offers a competitive compensation structure, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to build a lasting career at one of the most respected firms in commercial real estate capital markets.
Please send resumes to jstern@ackmanziff.com with the subject line: 2026 Associate Application.
Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group is currently seeking team-oriented Managing Directors with senior and partner level experience to originate structured financings across asset classes with a particular focus on loan sales, debt, mezzanine and equity capital structuring property. Positions are based in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Job Description and Responsibilities
Senior Originators will provide real estate capital markets advisory services to assist clients in securing the most appropriate capital solutions for their commercial real estate projects.
Responsibilities include:
- Originate financing mandates across asset classes
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships with owners and developers
- Pre-screen transactions prior to the full underwriting and execution
- Work closely with other members of the firm’s origination and execution teams
- Manage the transaction process from origination to closing including negotiating term sheets, transaction and legal documents
- Assist in preparing offering memorandum to prospective lenders and investors
- Cross-sell Ackman-Ziff’s lines of business and expertise
Skills and Qualifications
- 7 plus years of commercial real estate advisory, lending, or principal experience
- Significant existing relationships and experience working with owners and developers
- Ability to negotiate complicated term sheets and loan documents
- Strong customer service beliefs with a history of winning repeat business
- Superior deal evaluation and assessment skills
- Entrepreneurial and an outside-the-box thinker with a desire to expand existing client base
- Collaborative professional style that supports a collegial approach to meeting corporate objectives
- Team player with the highest desire to succeed
- High level of integrity and creativity with a hands-on, proactive style
- Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree a plus
Ackman-Ziff offers a competitive compensation structure and a full range of benefits.
Please send resumes and cover letter to jstern@ackmanziff.com.
On a rolling basis, Ackman-Ziff is accepting applications for its full-time 6-9 month Junior Analyst training program.
Skills/Qualifications
- Enrollment in a top-tier finance or real estate undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Demonstrated interest in learning more about real estate finance and capital markets
- Strong writing skills with great attention to detail
- Motivated self-starter
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
- Adaptable to fast, ever-changing environment
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, and maintain a flexible schedule
- Experience with underwriting, modeling, and financial analysis preferred
Job Description and Responsibilities
- Participate as a member of deal teams; interacting daily with associates and managing directors to create deliverables for clients and capital sources
- Learn the many moving parts of a capital markets transaction from inception to completion
- Exposure to owners/operators and capital sources
- Learn about real estate capital markets, deal structuring, negotiation, and financial modeling
- Exposure to underwriting to all asset classes, nationwide
- Exposure to current market trends and participate in research opportunities
- Sit in on meetings with senior management
- Assist in the maintenance of the firm’s database of clients and capital sources
Ackman-Ziff offers a competitive compensation structure and a full range of benefits.
Please send resumes and cover letters to jstern@ackmanziff.com with subject: Junior Analyst Training Program
People
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