Vice President, Market Intelligence

Department: Institutional Advisory Practice

We are Walker & Dunlop. We are 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 - where people live, work, shop, and play - to life. We are committed to creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

Department Overview

As trusted advisors to our clients, Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets experts go beyond the economics of a deal - we align with our clients to achieve their goals and objectives. Whether delivering financing or investment sales solutions, we connect our clients to the capital sources and investors best suited to each transaction.

In 2025, Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets executed more than $52 billion in total transaction volume across agency lending, debt and equity brokerage, and sales. We are a top advisor on all asset classes for many of the industry's top developers, owners, and operators and a trusted resource for our capital providers.

The Impact You Will Have

• The VP, Market Intelligence will serve as a shared strategic resource supporting Walker & Dunlop's Institutional Advisory Practice, Digital Infrastructure, and Hospitality businesses.
• This individual will be responsible for developing sophisticated market research, sector analysis, thought leadership, and client-facing materials that support business development, deepen client relationships, and differentiate our advisory capabilities.
• A critical component of the role will be leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), advanced research tools, and data analytics to enhance the quality, depth, and efficiency of research and content development across the three businesses.

Working closely with senior leadership, investment sales professionals, and the business development team, this individual will translate complex market information into actionable intelligence, compelling investment narratives, and high-impact client deliverables.

Primary Responsibilities

Market Research & Sector Intelligence

• Lead market and sector research initiatives across Institutional Advisory, Digital Infrastructure, and Hospitality, providing timely insights into market fundamentals, investment activity, capital flows, and emerging trends.
• Analyze economic, demographic, financial, and industry-specific data to identify market opportunities, investment themes, and potential risks.
• Monitor transaction activity, valuations, pricing trends, investor sentiment, and capital markets conditions to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive research resources, market databases, and analytical frameworks to support the three businesses.
• Leverage proprietary Walker & Dunlop data and third-party research platforms to develop differentiated market insights.
• Identify emerging sectors, investment strategies, and market opportunities that can inform business development initiatives and client engagement.

Thought Leadership & Client-Facing Content

• Develop high-quality research reports, market outlooks, and sector updates to position Walker & Dunlop as a leading advisor across its specialized businesses.
• Produce timely, data-driven client impact pieces highlighting significant market developments, emerging investment opportunities, and industry trends.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling narratives tailored to institutional investors, owners, operators, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and Marketing/PR teams to develop content for external publications, industry conferences, client communications, and digital channels.
• Create recurring market intelligence updates and thematic research pieces that enhance client engagement and reinforce Walker & Dunlop's market expertise.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across research publications and client-facing materials.

Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Research Capabilities

• Leverage AI-powered research, analytics, and content development tools to improve the sophistication, efficiency, and scalability of research production.
• Identify and implement innovative AI applications that streamline data gathering, market analysis, report generation, and presentation development.
• Develop repeatable research workflows, templates, and analytical processes that enable teams to produce high-quality deliverables more efficiently.
• Utilize AI to synthesize large volumes of market data, identify meaningful trends, and generate actionable insights while maintaining rigorous standards for accuracy and data validation.
• Partner with internal teams to identify opportunities to integrate AI and advanced technology into research, business development, and client engagement processes.
• Stay current on emerging AI capabilities and research technologies, continuously evaluating opportunities to enhance the platform's analytical capabilities and competitive differentiation.

Business Development & Strategic Advisory Support

• Partner with senior producers and business leaders to develop compelling pitch materials, client presentations, investment narratives, and strategic business development content.
• Provide customized market research and sector analysis in support of significant client pursuits, strategic initiatives, and transaction opportunities.
• Identify relevant market themes, investment opportunities, and emerging trends that can serve as catalysts for client outreach and relationship development.
• Develop targeted research and presentation materials for prospective and existing institutional clients.
• Support the creation of differentiated investment theses and data-driven perspectives that strengthen Walker & Dunlop's positioning in competitive assignments.
• Collaborate across the three businesses to identify shared investment themes, cross-platform opportunities, and potential areas for strategic collaboration.

Strategic Partnerships & Internal Collaboration

• Serve as a centralized research and market intelligence resource for the Institutional Advisory Practice, Digital Infrastructure, and Hospitality teams.
• Work directly with business leaders to establish research priorities and align deliverables with strategic objectives and business development needs.
• Develop effective processes for sharing market insights, research findings, and relevant industry developments across the Capital Markets platform.
• Engage with external research providers, data platforms, and industry resources to expand the depth and breadth of available market intelligence.
• Support ad hoc strategic initiatives and special projects as directed by business leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Attendance is generally required from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm local time, Monday through Friday.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Business, Data Analytics, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in commercial real estate research, market intelligence, investment banking, capital markets, consulting, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience producing sophisticated market research, investment analysis, thought leadership, and executive-level presentations.
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate investment fundamentals, capital markets, and institutional investor considerations.
• Experience supporting institutional real estate, digital infrastructure, hospitality, or other specialized investment sectors preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI-powered research, analytical, and content development tools, including experience integrating these technologies into professional workflows.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional research, analytical, financial, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights and compelling client-facing content.
• Advanced proficiency with AI tools and a demonstrated ability to leverage emerging technologies to improve research quality, analytical capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Strong understanding of commercial real estate markets, investment fundamentals, capital flows, and macroeconomic trends.
• Excellent business judgment, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to identify meaningful market trends and emerging investment opportunities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop persuasive presentations and communicate complex topics to senior executives and institutional clients.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other analytical and presentation tools.
• Familiarity with commercial real estate data and research platforms, financial modeling tools, and business intelligence applications preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, including the ability to independently validate research findings, data sources, and AI-generated outputs.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while consistently delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and ability to work independently with limited oversight.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple business lines and senior leadership teams.
• Ability to take ownership of projects, proactively identify opportunities to add value, and continuously improve research processes and deliverables.
• Courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness in teaming with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.

Pay and benefits

This position has an estimated base salary of $120,000 - $150,000 plus discretionary bonus. An employment offer is based on the applicant's relevant work experience, applicable knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

#LI-CR1 #LI-Onsite

What We Offer

• The opportunity to join one of Fortune Magazine's Great Places to Work winners
• Comprehensive benefit options* that have earned Walker & Dunlop the gold level of the 2025 Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation™, some of which include:
• Up to 83% subsidized medical payroll deductions
• Competitive dental and vision benefits
• 401(k) + match
• Pre-tax transit and commuting benefits
• A robust health and wellness program - earn cash rewards and gain access to resources that promote health, engagement, and balance
• Paid maternity and parental leave, as well as other family paid leave programs
• Company-paid life, short and long-term disability insurance
• Health Savings Account and Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Career development opportunities
• Empowerment and encouragement to give back - volunteer hours and donation matching

*Eligibility may vary based on average number of hours worked