Manager - Real Estate Development

GARBE is a Hamburg-based, entrepreneurial and independent real estate investment and development platform founded in 1965, which has evolved into a leading European, vertically integrated manager with a full 360° value chain spanning investment management, project development, and asset and portfolio management. Operating across three core segments—industrial/logistics (“Sheds”), residential and commercial living (“Beds”), and infrastructure/energy transition—the group manages over €15 billion in assets with around 600 professionals across more than 20 offices in 13 countries, combining local execution capabilities with in-house capital markets expertise. Its strategy emphasizes scalable, pan-European platforms, institutional-grade products, and ESG-driven “sustainonomics,” positioning GARBE as a long-term value creator across real estate and real asset classes.

ABOUT GARBE COMMERCIAL LIVING

GARBE Commercial Living is the specialized platform within GARBE’s “Reside” division focused on the development, repositioning and investment management of commercial living real estate, with a strong emphasis on hospitality-driven asset classes. The company acts as a fully integrated developer, operator and investment partner, covering the entire lifecycle from concept and acquisition through development and asset management, and targets scalable, institutional-grade products such as hotels, serviced apartments, student housing, senior living and co‑living. Its strategy is centered on both new‑build (greenfield) and conversion (brownfield) projects—particularly the transformation of offices and hotels into modern, multifunctional living concepts—while leveraging GARBE’s broader platform capabilities.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a highly driven Manager – Real Estate Development to join GARBE Commercial Living, taking a key role in sourcing, underwriting and executing new development opportunities, with a primary focus on greenfield budget hotel developments.

You will work directly with the Managing Directors and take end‑to‑end ownership of land acquisitions—from initial sourcing through structuring and negotiation to signing. In parallel, you will actively support the management and execution of existing development projects within the serviced apartments asset class.

This is a hands‑on, high‑responsibility role at the core of our growth strategy, combining transaction execution, development expertise and entrepreneurial deal‑making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Origination & Land Acquisition

• Proactively source and originate land and development opportunities across Germany (with selective exposure to other European markets), with a focus on greenfield hotel developments
• Build and maintain a strong network of brokers, landowners, municipalities and local stakeholders to generate proprietary deal flow

End-to-End Transaction Execution

• Take full ownership of the acquisition process from initial screening through to notarised purchase agreement
• Structure and drive transactions, including pricing, deal terms, timelines and conditionality
• Act as the central coordinator across all internal and external stakeholders throughout the transaction lifecycle
• Analyse and underwrite development opportunities, including detailed financial modelling, feasibility studies, and scenario/sensitivity analyses
• Assess planning status, development risks, and key value drivers to support investment decisions
• Prepare high-quality investment memoranda and decision materials for senior management and investment committees
• Lead and coordinate all due diligence workstreams (legal, technical, tax, commercial)
• Manage external advisors and ensure timely, efficient and cost‑conscious execution of DD processes

Negotiation & Closing

• Support and actively drive negotiations with sellers, brokers and counterparties
• Coordinate SPA drafting and negotiations in close collaboration with external legal advisors
• Ensure smooth and timely execution through to signing and closing

Development & Asset Support

• Support the execution and ongoing management of existing development projects
• Monitor project progress, budgets and timelines in coordination with internal teams and external partners

YOUR PROFILE

• Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Economics or a related field
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in real estate private equity, development, investment banking, or transaction advisory
• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills, with the ability to build and challenge full development and investment cases
• Solid understanding of real estate transactions, land acquisition processes and development economics
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and take ownership in a fast‑paced, deal‑oriented environment
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a high level of initiative, accountability and execution focus
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with confidence in interacting with senior stakeholders and external counterparties
• Native‑level German and very good English skills

WHAT WE OFFER

• Direct exposure to live transactions and investment decisions from day one, working closely with the Managing Directors
• A highly entrepreneurial, lean environment with short decision paths and genuine ownership of deals rather than siloed tasks
• End‑to‑end involvement across the full deal lifecycle—from sourcing and underwriting to structuring, execution, development and exit
• High visibility within the organisation and direct interaction with senior decision‑makers and capital partners
• The opportunity to play a key role in building and scaling a pan‑European hotel development platform at an early stage
• A dynamic, performance‑oriented team with a strong focus on execution and value creation
• Long‑term development opportunities within GARBE Commercial Living and the wider GARBE Group
• Competitive compensation with performance‑based upside and clear progression potential

LOCATION

Berlin (full‑time, office‑based) with flexibility to travel as required.