Sam is a Vice President in Real Estate (RE) and has been working at GIC for five years. His responsibilities include sourcing, evaluating and executing on investments within the real estate sector in the US to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns.
When not at work, he can be found golfing, exercising or skiing – depending on the time of the year.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
I joined GIC because I thought it would provide me with many of the important attributes I am seeking at this stage of my career — the ability to constantly grow and learn; the flexibility to look at investments across a wide range of real estate sectors and product types; and the potential for upward mobility and compensation for hard work.
I was also highly impressed with the RE team before I joined, and was excited about the possibility of joining the group and growing alongside a talented bunch – both personally and professionally.
What does your typical workday look like?
I start off my mornings at the gym before getting ready for work. Once the workday begins, I catch up on overnight emails and create a prioritized to-do list for the day. I generally spend about half of my day on calls and in meetings with team members, operators, JV partners, lawyers, brokers and bankers; and the other half is spent working through and making progress on both new and existing deals.
What do you like most about working here?
My favorite aspect of working at GIC is the level of responsibility and trust that I am given – this has allowed me to learn and progress in my career far quicker than I would have expected, and creates a sense of pride and ownership in my work.
The main misconception I had about GIC before joining was that, as a large global institution, it would be a slower-paced and more rigid working dynamic. But after working here for almost five years, I believe we have one of the most nimble and fast-moving teams in the real estate sector and we are constantly refining our processes and approach to improve and boost our competitiveness.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
In one word: Strong. GIC deeply invests in its employees and rewards hard work and success – I started at GIC as an Associate and have quickly progressed to a Vice President. I believe I have learned more at GIC in this timeframe than I would have at any other investment firm in the world, ranging from deal underwriting to transaction structuring, negotiating, and closing; but also going far beyond just investments.
What you should know before joining GIC
If you are willing to work hard, keep an open mind, continue to learn, and take responsibility, GIC is a great place to work that offers unparalleled exposure.