6 Things Shaping Investment Hiring in Property Right Now

Insights from the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026

Investment hiring in real estate is finding its footing again after a subdued 2024. Confidence is returning, but it's measured. Here's what's driving the market right now and what to expect over the next 12 months.

1. Hiring is recovering, but growth remains cautious

Recruitment activity within the investment sector has picked up over the past 12 months, but the mood is one of cautious optimism rather than full-scale expansion. Most organisations are hiring in anticipation of future activity rather than in response to immediate deal flow. The result is a market dominated by replacement hires, as businesses focus on maintaining capability while keeping a close eye on cost and risk.

2. Asset and portfolio management is the most active hiring area

With transactional activity still relatively muted, firms have redirected their focus towards squeezing more value from existing portfolios. This has made asset and portfolio management professionals some of the most sought-after in the market right now. Demand is centred on those who can enhance asset value, manage operational performance, and support longer-term investment strategies while capital deployment remains selective.

3. Salaries are stable, with bonuses doing the heavy lifting

Pay levels across the investment market have remained largely flat over the past year. Most role changes have resulted in inflationary increases or modest uplifts rather than significant jumps. Cash flow discipline continues to shape hiring decisions, and for most candidates, salary is not the primary reason for moving. Looking ahead, meaningful upside is more likely to come through bonuses as market activity picks up than through base salary inflation.

4. Culture and values are driving candidate decisions

With salary less of a differentiator, professionals are increasingly motivated by factors such as company culture, work-life balance, and alignment with organisational values. Firms with active pipelines, available capital, and clear growth strategies have a distinct advantage in attracting and retaining talent. Candidates want to join organisations that can demonstrate momentum and a credible path forward, not just a competitive package.

5. Retention is a real challenge where roles have drifted

One of the more nuanced pressures in the market has been the retention of professionals hired into investment-focused roles whose day-to-day responsibilities have gradually shifted towards asset management. Where that drift is significant, some individuals are choosing to move on in search of opportunities that better match their original remit. Firms that can offer genuine investment exposure are better placed to hold onto this talent.

6. Hybrid skill sets are becoming the new standard

Employers are increasingly looking for professionals who can operate across both investment and asset management functions. This flexibility allows firms to build leaner, more adaptable teams without depending on narrowly specialised roles. It also reflects a broader structural shift as businesses look to future-proof their teams against changing market conditions.

What's coming in the next 12 months?

Hiring volumes are expected to remain broadly consistent, with a gradual tilt back towards investment-focused roles as deal flow improves. Demand is anticipated at both ends of the market, with continued appetite for analysts and junior hires to build future pipelines, alongside senior professionals who bring proven experience and the kind of hybrid capability that firms now prize.

For full salary data and hiring trends across Investment in property, download the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026.

About the Author

Hannah Taylor | Manager, Investment & Living

Hannah has 10 or more years of experience in the real estate industry and heads up the Rental Living team. She specialises in placing senior level Investment and Asset Management positions across the living space. Understanding her companies' specific requirements and desires is Hannah's sweet spot.