Development/Construction Associate

Private real estate investment firm headquartered in Rosemont, IL seeks a Development/  Construction Associate (Industrial Real Estate) to join our expanding team in our Rosemont, IL office. This is an exciting opportunity to work in the real estate industry for one of the top 20 global industrial real estate owners: Since 2010 we have acquired over $4 billion in industrial real estate. Our current portfolio spans 29 states and encompasses 44 million square feet with 10 offices nationwide, and our organization demonstrates a proven track record as well as an entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the future.

The Development Associate (DA) will play an integral role supporting the real estate development and construction management efforts of the firm which acquires, develops, and operates industrial properties in select major metropolitan markets throughout the United States. The DA is responsible for assistance with oversight of all aspects of the firm’s industrial real estate development life cycle, including the review of existing and pursued development projects. The DA helps manage all phases of development projects from inception through completion and aligned with our firm’s high standard of excellence. This includes overall design, planning, scope development, permitting, contract negotiations, budgeting, scheduling, coordination with contractors and sub-contractors, and partnering with internal and external stakeholders throughout the duration of each project.

Responsibilities include:

• Help with the planning of all project phases, assessing project team needs, and establishing milestone dates and execution timelines
• Assist in establishing project budgets, including hard costs and soft costs, and managing those costs through completion
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants on the design and permitting process
• Prepare Request for Proposals, bid documents, bid analyses, and award letters for general contractors
• Assist in the contract negotiations with general contractors, consultants, vendors, and suppliers
• Coordinate and lead jobsite meetings with the design team, general contractor, and other internal and external stakeholders
• Monitor and review requests for information, change order requests, and the submittal processes
• Help manage all project contractual and financial obligations; collaborate with Development Accountant on monthly invoices and the construction loan draw processes
• Fulfill all project-related reporting requirements, including monthly reports with updates on budget and schedule
• Manage and execute punch list processes to ensure timely completion of any needed corrective work
• Manage project closeout activities, including acceptance and completion of projects, and ensure final payments are secured
• Manage project closeout activities with internal parties to ensure completion of all required items
• Organize and maintain project documentation for various construction projects and prospective development opportunities
• Monitor progress of multiple construction projects, quality of construction, and timelines, including tenant build-out projects
• Develop, monitor, maintain, and enforce project schedules, and develop remediation plans if needed
• Overnight travel as needed to job sites across the country; expected travel time is 25% or less
• Any other duties as assigned and as time allows

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience, including the qualifications noted below
• Bachelor’s degree required; BS degree with concentration in construction management or civil engineering highly preferred
• Master’s degree in real estate development, business administration, or related field a plus
• Progressively responsible experience with an industrial/commercial real estate developer, general contractor, construction management, architecture firm, civil engineering firm or closely related company
• Highly organized, with a strong ability to concurrently manage multiple projects at different stages of development
• Ability to evaluate and interpret design and construction documents, contracts, budgets, and schedules
• Demonstrated experience with MS Office applications (especially Excel, Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Exceptional interpersonal and communicative skills, balancing assertiveness with professionalism and diplomacy
• Good business sense, with effective negotiation skills
• Solid organizational skills, both quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including the ability to prioritize and multitask
• Exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to remain flexible and thrive in a continually changing environment, with proven problem-solving skills
• Literacy with web-based project management, budget management applications, and savviness to learn new applications
• Ability to travel, including overnight travel (<25%). Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Compensation/Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits offerings include highly competitive compensation (with annual bonus), full medical benefits, paid maternity/paternity leave, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan with employer match.