Director, Investment, Student Housing, United States

ABOUT MAPLETREE 

Headquartered in Singapore, Mapletree is a global real estate development, investment, capital and property management company committed to sustainability. Its strategic focus is to invest in markets and real estate sectors with good growth potential. By combining its key strengths, the Group has established a track record of award-winning projects, and delivers consistent and high returns across real estate asset classes.

Mapletree's student housing portfolio comprises more than 80 Purpose-Built Student Housing assets with over 25,000 beds located across the United States, Europe and Australia. Total assets under management (AUM) stood at S$4.9 billion (as of Dec 2025) and Mapletree aims to optimize portfolio returns and maximize asset value through proactive asset management, ensuring operational efficiency and providing best-in-class experiences for residents.

The Role

You will spearhead our growth by leading a high-performing investment team to originate, evaluate and execute strategic acquisitions and divestments across our 8,000-bed student housing platform in the US. Working closely with development, asset management and senior leadership, you’ll shape and deliver on ambitious growth targets, ensuring market-leading returns and long-term value creation.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a global platform targeting expansion in established and emerging student housing markets
• Lead transformative deals across the US
• Drive innovation in sourcing, underwriting and structuring to deliver best-in-class returns
• Collaborate with a diverse, cross-functional team spanning Asia, Europe and the Americas
• Influence ESG integration and long-term sustainability across the portfolio

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Sourcing
• Develop and refine our investment thesis for student housing across the US.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with brokers, developers, operators, lenders and joint-venture partners.
2. Deal Execution
• Lead end-to-end transactions: origination, market research, financial modelling, due diligence, structuring and negotiation.
• Manage internal Investment Committees and coordinate approvals, ensuring rigorous risk-return analysis.
3. Portfolio Optimization
• Collaborate with asset management to underwrite value-add opportunities, reposition assets and plan seamless exits.
• Monitor performance metrics, implement best practices and enhance cash flow and IRRs.
4. Capital Recycling Initiatives  
• Assist in portfolio curation and product development aimed at creating unique offerings to potential investors.
• Coordinate and support all capital recycling initiatives aimed to grow AUM through partnerships, funds, or public offerings.
5. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Mentor and develop a multi-disciplinary investment team, fostering a culture of ownership and excellence.
• Report directly to the CEO, Student Housing, and engage regularly with senior leadership in Asia and Europe.

Your Profile

• Degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business or a related field.
• 15+ years’ experience in real estate, private equity or institutional investment, with a focus on student housing or comparable sectors.
• Demonstrated success sourcing, underwriting and closing complex deals across the US.
• Familiarity with key concepts in US Student Housing development and regulatory landscape such as entitlements and zoning.
• Strong financial modelling skills and deep understanding of capital markets, debt financing and return metrics.
• Exceptional leadership capability, able to inspire teams, build consensus and drive decisions under tight timelines.
• Highly proactive, intellectually curious and comfortable navigating fast-paced, multi-cultural environments.
• Outstanding communicator, adept at presenting to Investment Committees, boards and external partners.
• Willingness to travel regularly across regions and to work flexibly with teams in different time zones.