At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hotel capital markets coverage in Germany, executing high-value transactions.
- Company: Walker & Dunlop, a leader in commercial real estate financing.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a rapidly growing organisation with global reach.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in hotel capital markets and native German language skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
We are Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities to life. We are committed to creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.
Our EMEA experts deliver exceptional debt and equity solutions across the commercial real estate spectrum, combining deep capital markets expertise with local EMEA real estate knowledge to maximise returns and minimise risk for our clients. Walker & Dunlop's EMEA Hotels Investment & Sales practice provides institutional-grade hotel brokerage, sell-side advisory, debt and equity placement, and M&A services across the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, and the broader EMEA region.
The Impact You Will Have:
- Lead Walker & Dunlop’s German hotel capital markets coverage, originating and executing transactions across institutional portfolios, urban assets, recapitalisations, and special situations throughout Germany and the broader DACH region.
- Bring established German market relationships, native language capability, and the drive to expand Walker & Dunlop’s DACH hospitality coverage platform from our London hub.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Operate as the London-based lead for Germany within Walker & Dunlop’s EMEA Hospitality platform, working closely with UK and continental European teams.
- Originate and execute German hotel transactions across sell-side brokerage, debt advisory, equity placement, and M&A in the €70-500m range.
- Build and maintain deep relationships with German institutional investors, savings banks, commercial lenders, special servicers, family offices, and hotel operators.
- Develop and own the German pipeline with rigorous CRM discipline and regular reporting to EMEA leadership.
- Provide authoritative market intelligence on German and DACH hotel transaction activity, pricing trends, financing markets, and restructuring dynamics.
- Coordinate global investor outreach for German mandates, leveraging Walker & Dunlop's US and international capital relationships.
- Collaborate with UK, France, and Spain teams on cross-border mandates involving German assets or German capital.
- Attend and represent Walker & Dunlop at German and pan-European hotel investment events including IHIF, Expo Real, and MIPIM.
- Support the development of junior team members as the German practice scales.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree required; preference for finance, real estate, or economics.
- 10+ years in hotel capital markets, real estate advisory, investment banking, or lender-side real estate with meaningful DACH experience.
- Demonstrated track record of hotel transactions in Germany at the institutional or upper-midmarket level.
- Native or near-native German and business-level English required.
- Understanding of German real estate financing structures, insolvency frameworks, and special situations dynamics.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Established relationships with German institutional investors, lenders, special servicers, and hotel operators.
- Strong technical grounding in hotel valuation, underwriting, and German financing structures.
- Working knowledge of German insolvency and restructuring frameworks as they apply to real estate.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in German and English.
- Proficiency in MS Office suite and CRM systems.
- Ability to manage complex cross-border mandates and investor outreach processes.
- Ability to show ownership of your work, take on challenges, acknowledge growth opportunities, and demonstrate patience when learning new processes.
- Courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness in teaming with colleagues and other stakeholders.
What We Offer:
- Opportunity to accelerate in our rapidly growing organization.
- Flexible working hours, career advancement, and competitive compensation package.
- Social activities to help our employees and families become familiar with each other and our culture.
- Supplemental health insurance, a pension plan, and 100% complimentary and confidential mental health services.
Senior Director, Head of Germany Coverage in London employer: Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where your contributions are valued and your career can flourish. With flexible working hours, competitive compensation, and a strong emphasis on employee well-being through supplemental health insurance and mental health services, you will find a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration. Based in London, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the German hotel capital markets coverage while engaging with a diverse range of institutional investors across the DACH region, making a meaningful impact in the commercial real estate industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Head of Germany Coverage in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with someone from Walker & Dunlop or any other company, make sure to highlight your experience and knowledge in hotel capital markets. Share insights and trends you've noticed in the German market to demonstrate your value.
✨Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up
After meeting someone or having an interview, send a quick thank-you note or message. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great way to reinforce your enthusiasm for the role!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through the Walker & Dunlop website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really want to be part of the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Head of Germany Coverage in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Director, Head of Germany Coverage. Highlight your experience in hotel capital markets and any established relationships you have in the German market. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share your passion for the commercial real estate industry and how you can contribute to our mission at Walker & Dunlop. Be authentic and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Language Skills:Since native or near-native German is a must, make sure to highlight your language skills prominently. If you have any relevant experiences where you've used both German and English in a professional setting, don’t forget to mention those!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed efficiently, and you'll be one step closer to joining our team. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walker & Dunlop
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the German hotel capital markets. Understand current trends, key players, and recent transactions. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Be prepared to discuss your established relationships with German institutional investors and lenders. Highlight specific examples of how these connections have led to successful transactions in the past. This will demonstrate your value and readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Brush up on your technical skills related to hotel valuation and underwriting. Be ready to discuss financing structures and insolvency frameworks in Germany. Showing that you have a solid grasp of these concepts will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since this role requires fluency in both German and English, practice articulating your thoughts clearly in both languages. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor to refine your communication style and ensure you can convey complex ideas effectively.
