About the Opportunity

Title: Associate Director Real Estate - Fund Controller

Department: Real Estate Fund Control and Operations

Location: London

Reports To: Head of Real Estate Fund Control and Operations

Level: 7 (Associate Director)

We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our team and feel like you’re part of something bigger. Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we.  We are proud of our inclusive culture and encourage applications from the widest mix of talent, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, social background and more.

As a flexible employer, we trust our people to perform their role in the way that works best for them, our clients and our business. We are a disability-friendly company and  would  welcome  a  conversation  with  you  if  you  feel  you  might  benefit  from  any  reasonable adjustments to perform to the best of your ability during the recruitment process and beyond.   

About your team

The real estate division of Fidelity International was founded in 2006 and launched its first funds for institutional investors in 2008, since then it has attracted a range of blue-chip clients from continental Europe, the UK, Canada and Asia. Current real estate AuM is in the region of €2.5 billion. The experienced team of fund managers, asset managers, transaction managers, research professionals, analysts and operations professionals are based in five locations across Europe (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Luxembourg and India). The team has established strong performance track records and we are building on this success by both growing our existing flagship funds, and further developing the business through new funds, including funds focused on climate impact investing.

We are committed to sustainable investing and have firmly embedded sustainability in all steps of our investment process, from the time of acquisition, throughout the holding period and until disposition. We have set a range of sustainability targets and proactively engage with our tenants and suppliers to drive improvements.

The Real Estate Fund Control and Operations Team is responsible for providing support to the Real Estate investment and asset managers, research team and other group functions.  The team is responsible for Fund Oversight including Pricing, Financial Accounting, Corporate Reporting, Taxation, Fund Structuring and Asset Servicing for all aspects of the Real Estate Business.

About your role

As a Fund Controller, you will be responsible for the financial control, reporting and operational oversight of pan-European real estate investment funds operating within an outsourced fund administration model. Working closely with the Head of Fund Control and Fund Managers, you will help ensure the delivery of accurate financial, investor and regulatory reporting, while maintaining a strong control and governance framework across the fund and its underlying investment structures.

You will act as a key point of coordination between the business and external service providers, including fund administrators, auditors, tax advisers and other professional advisers. You will help ensure reporting is delivered accurately and in accordance with agreed timelines and regulatory requirements.

The role offers broad exposure across the full fund lifecycle, including financial reporting, investor servicing, treasury and liquidity management, audits, financing activities, transactions and fund governance. You will work closely with colleagues across Investment Management, Asset Management, Investor Relations, Treasury, Legal, Tax, Risk and Compliance, developing a strong understanding of real estate investment management and fund structures.

You will also contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, controls and reporting within the fund operating model, supporting initiatives that enhance efficiency, data quality and scalability. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious fund finance professional to develop their technical, commercial and stakeholder management skills within a leading pan-European real estate investment platform.

 The candidate will be responsible for:

Financial Control, Reporting & Stakeholder Oversight

• Oversee the delivery of financial, regulatory, investor reporting across Pan-European open-ended or closed-ended fund structures.
• Review and challenge reporting prepared by fund administrators and service providers, including management accounts, NAVs and distribution rates, statutory financial statements and investor reporting.
• Perform analytical reviews and variance analysis to identify, investigate and resolve reporting issues, accounting queries and control exceptions.
• Review IFRS and local GAAP financial statements, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements and fund documentation.
• Review key fund performance metrics, including Trading NAV, INREV NAV, TER, management fees, unit/share pricing, capital activity and distribution calculations.
• Oversee investor cash movements (including capital calls, redemptions, distributions and rebates),
• Undertake lender reporting and loan covenant compliance monitoring.
• Prepare and present financial information and reporting packs for internal management, Boards, Committees and other governance forums.
• Manage relationships with fund administrators, auditors and other service providers to ensure reporting is delivered accurately, completely and within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate annual audits, due diligence requests and other stakeholder reporting requirements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of fund structures, accounting policies and reporting obligations, proactively identifying and escalating risks, issues and control weaknesses where appropriate.

Audit, Tax & Regulatory Coordination

• Coordinate of annual audits and act as a key contact between auditors, administrators and internal stakeholders.
• Review audit deliverables and track audit findings and action items through to completion.
• Liaise with external tax advisers and service providers to support corporate tax, VAT and other compliance requirements.
• Monitor statutory filing obligations and reporting deadlines across multiple jurisdictions.
• Ensure compliance with fund governing documents, financing agreements and regulatory requirements.

Transaction & Fund Lifecycle Support

• Participate in the financial onboarding of acquisitions, disposals, refinancings and new investment structures.
• Support restructurings including the establishment, wind-up / liquidation and termination activities of SPVs and Holding Companies.

Stakeholder Management & Business Partnering

• Develop effective working relationships with fund administrators, auditors, tax advisers and other professional service providers.
• Work closely with Investment Management, Asset Management, Legal and Investor Relations teams to support reporting and operational requirements.
• Collaborate with the wider Fund Control team in ensuring stakeholders receive timely, accurate and meaningful financial information.

Continuous Improvement

• Support and develop direct or indirect reports, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment with a focus on continuous improvement and technical capability including use of AI to create efficiencies.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting quality, controls and operational efficiency within the outsourced operating model.
• Support process improvement initiatives, system enhancements and automation projects.
• Assist in maintaining and documenting financial controls, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of a robust and scalable fund control environment.

About you

Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years of asset management industry experience, working within Real Estate and/or other real asset classes.
• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA or equivalent).
• In depth understanding of:
  • Current accounting standards (IFRS and Lux GAAP).
  • accounting for real assets activities and complex transactions.
  • common fund structures and tax issues.
• Experience working alongside third-party service providers (e.g. administrators, auditors, tax advisers, MSCI, INREV).
• Good knowledge of the real estate investment lifecycle, including exposure to transactions, fund structuring, and operational delivery.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Effective communication stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to take ownership and drive outcomes
• Experience leveraging systems, data, and technology (including emerging AI tools) to enhance reporting, controls, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to lead through influence, develop others, and contribute to a high-performing team culture.
• Experience in managing a small team would advantageous.

Feel rewarded

For starters, we’ll offer you a comprehensive benefits package. We’ll value your wellbeing and support your development. And we’ll be as flexible as we can about where and when you work – finding a balance that works for all of us. It’s all part of our commitment to making you feel motivated by the work you do and happy to be part of our team. For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.

For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.