Meet Timo Kortelainen

Timo Kortelainen, Business Controller, Niam Finland

Timo Kortelainen serves as a Business Controller at Niam, based at the Helsinki office in Finland. His association with Niam began almost three years ago, fueled by a deep interest in the real estate industry. Timo’s primary focus is to ensure a well-functioning finance organization in Finland and influence decision making with insightful analysis of the portfolio performance. On top of this, he considers himself a real estate enthusiast who takes pleasure in working with financial figures and contributing to value creation.

A rewarding job that contributes to shaping the city

My journey with Niam spans over two years, and now I have more than five years of experience in the real estate sector. Prior to joining Niam, I have had the privilege to develop my skills at the global leader in real estate services and navigate the intricacies of the country's largest care home portfolios. From these experiences I have been able to gather a unique skill set combining technical, commercial and of course financial expertise from different angles of real estate portfolio management. 

My role at Niam involves for example monitoring of performance targets, supporting asset managers in portfolio management tasks, and ensuring the organization remains well-versed in the financial intricacies of our assets. My role is a captivating fusion of responsibilities, ranging from coordinating divestments to optimizing tax positions, all to way managing outsourced service providers. The beauty of this multifaceted position lies in its ever-evolving nature. No two days are alike, as the focus seamlessly shifts in response to the evolving life cycle of our investments, the dynamics of the market, or the world-class projects our teams are engaged in. 

I see that the challenges we tackle are not merely tasks; they are opportunities for growth, problem-solving, and innovation. Navigating this hybrid role of finance and business is an exhilarating endeavor, offering a panoramic view from left to right and from bottom to top. It's a standpoint that allows me to engage with the best minds in the industry while contributing to the development of cities where our operations thrive.

The opportunity to collaborate with exceptionally intelligent individuals throughout the organization excites me most about working at Niam. It's a pleasure to work in an environment that not only values my expertise but also presents constant challenges to solve, allowing me to showcase my ambition and capabilities. While we exercise our expertise in interesting projects and assets, it is rewarding to see the figures translating into real experiences that are shaping the city, above all, navigating daily challenges and seizing opportunities to consistently deliver value to both our investors and our tight-knit team.

During my time at Niam, I have celebrated both small and big wins. The most memorable moments are the ones where we, as a team, turned challenges into solutions. Whether it's the successful completion of a project or the optimization of operational efficiency leading to financial gains, the collaborative mindset at Niam never fails to impress. It's a reminder that, in this field, true success is a collective achievement, and I'm grateful to be part of a company that continually strives for excellence.

The trust, responsibility and exciting challenges set Niam apart

The atmosphere at Niam Finland is friendly, fostering a strong sense of companionship and mutual care. While the culture is down-to-earth, everyone excels in their roles, driven by a shared passion for performance. I've been involved in projects and duties that go beyond the typical scope of a business controller, demonstrating trust in individuals' capabilities and providing the possibility to assume more responsibility. Trust and responsibility are taken seriously in our team, but they also allow room for our own judgment. This affords me the opportunity to plan my days as I see fit, enabling me to, for example, engage in tennis training multiple times a week. As a team, we value sports, nature, and a healthy lifestyle, which serve as crucial tools for maintaining not only physical but also mental well-being, enabling us to meet the increasing requirements of modern-day professionals.

International aspirations and continuous improvement

For potential candidates considering a career at Niam Finland, my advice would be to be proactive. We rarely have open positions in our local team. Currently the best way to get in is through our internship programs, but when we might have opportunities for experienced professionals out there, my advice is to put all in.

Looking ahead, my aspirations at Niam include improving my knowledge around portfolio and fund management operations while I expand my capabilities in my current role. 
I have always dreamed about an international career which could combine financial analysis, project-based work and project management. Currently I fulfill those aspirations by daily communication with the Stockholm office, analyzing Finnish portfolio and leading projects or outsourced financial management teams. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are career opportunities. Time will unfold what lies ahead at Niam.

So, potential candidates, gear up, be proactive, and who knows, the next career move might just be your ticket to joining our dynamic team at Niam Finland – where real estate meets countless possibilities.