Portfolio and pipeline numbers as of Q3 2026
Benefits That Matter
A culture that provides you with a sense of belonging
Competitive pay that values your contributions
Incentives designed to reward your achievements
Paid flexible PTO to disconnect or celebrate life milestones
Paid 14+ holidays, including your birthday, to disconnect and celebrate
Paid Parental Leave that begins after 90 days
Paid volunteer time off to give back to your community
Monthly workshop weeks; fewer meetings & more collaboration
Robust health plan options that begin within at least 30 days of your employment
Monthly phone reimbursement
Wellness allowance and perks, including a yearly subscription to a meditation app
An environment that provides you a voice to share your perspectives
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for access to confidential support services
Company retirement options including 401(k) + matching & Roth account option
Position Overview
As an Associate, Development, you will be the day-to-day engine behind your assigned projects, partnering directly with Development Managers and Senior Development Managers to carry projects from acquisition and entitlement hand-off through construction completion and turnover to asset management. You will own the project information, schedules, budgets and documentation that keep Core’s developments on time, on budget, true to our brand and consistent with our standards and specifications. This is a hands-on role with real accountability: you will be Core’s on-site representative, a trusted point of contact for architects, general contractors and consultants, and a proactive problem-solver who surfaces risks early and recommends solutions. It is an ideal opportunity for a driven, detail-oriented professional who wants to build a long-term career in development.
What You Will Do
Pre-Construction
Own the review of design and pre-construction deliverables to ensure all physical components of each project meet Core’s standards, specifications and brand objectives, and elevate deviations to the Development Manager with recommended resolutions
Track and drive the permitting and entitlement-compliance process against the Development Schedule, coordinating with consultants and jurisdictions to anticipate delays and protect critical-path milestones
Lead project meetings by preparing agendas, documenting decisions, and managing accountability and on-time completion of action items across internal and external stakeholders
Review consultant, vendor and contractor agreements for consistency across Core’s projects and hold all parties accountable for their contractual obligations, escalating gaps in scope, schedule or cost
Evaluate the General Contractor’s agreement, including schedule, qualifications and inclusions, to confirm alignment with Core standards and identify risk before buyout
Review invoices and billings for accuracy against work completed and contract terms, and prepare them for approval to protect project budgets
Prepare and deliver weekly project updates to the projects group that clearly communicate status, risks, budget and schedule variances, and decisions needed
Construction
Serve as Core’s representative and primary point of contact for project information workflow among the owner, Architect, General Contractor and subcontractors
Proactively identify schedule and budget risks using prior contractor performance, market standards and project historical data, and recommend mitigation strategies to leadership
Manage quality control of construction progress through active engagement with the Architect and General Contractor, from subcontractor buyout through punch list completion
Analyze the construction schedule using productivity analysis and past project metrics to confirm critical path and milestone dates are met, and recommend acceleration plans when necessary
Build, maintain and update project forecasting and tracking tools that inform cost, schedule and decision-making for the development team
Verify compliance with entitlement, architectural, permit and contract documents, and resolve or escalate nonconformance
Partner with the Design department to develop FF&E contracts and schedules and oversee installation of all FF&E
Evaluate change orders for merit, consistency with contracts and historical data, and budget impact, and make recommendations for approval
Assemble and review project invoices for conformance with contracts and process monthly payments accurately and on time
Post-Construction
Develop the project closeout plan and track all open punch list and warranty items through resolution
Implement and track warranty and punch list work following project delivery, and ensure a clean hand-off to asset management
Other
Travel will be required. On average, 1–2 days of travel are expected every other week, with additional travel expected during project delivery months (i.e., spring break through summer).
Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management
Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation
Ideally, You'll Have
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Finance, or other relevant field
2-4 years of experience in construction or real estate development, including exposure to project budgets, schedules, contracts, and invoice/change order review
Strong understanding of construction and development processes, from entitlement and permitting through design, construction and closeout
Sound judgment and the ability to analyze data, identify risk and make well-reasoned recommendations with increasing independence
Excellent organization, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and hold external partners accountable
Proficiency with project forecasting and tracking tools, including advanced Microsoft Excel
Located in or around the Chicagoland area, with ability to travel to project sites
You'll crush it if you have experience with
Experience in student housing, multi-family, hospitality or senior living development
Hands-on experience with Northspyre, Procore and PlanGrid
Organizational Structure
Reports to: Development Manager I/II or Senior Development Manager
Direct Reports: N/A
Disclaimer
Please note that job responsibilities, reporting lines, and duties outlined in this job description are subject to change to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Core Spaces celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, which creates a sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are and the community they represent.
Pay Range
- USD $75,000.00 - USD $85,000.00 /Yr.
- Compensation Disclosure
The compensation range listed reflects the base salary or hourly rate that we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, seniority, geographic location, and business needs.
This role may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, including bonuses, commissions, stipends, or non-cash incentives, depending on position and performance. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other role-based offerings, subject to eligibility requirements.
All compensation components are subject to change based on business needs or market conditions.
Pre-Construction
Own the review of design and pre-construction deliverables to ensure all physical components of each project meet Core’s standards, specifications and brand objectives, and elevate deviations to the Development Manager with recommended resolutions
Track and drive the permitting and entitlement-compliance process against the Development Schedule, coordinating with consultants and jurisdictions to anticipate delays and protect critical-path milestones
Lead project meetings by preparing agendas, documenting decisions, and managing accountability and on-time completion of action items across internal and external stakeholders
Review consultant, vendor and contractor agreements for consistency across Core’s projects and hold all parties accountable for their contractual obligations, escalating gaps in scope, schedule or cost
Evaluate the General Contractor’s agreement, including schedule, qualifications and inclusions, to confirm alignment with Core standards and identify risk before buyout
Review invoices and billings for accuracy against work completed and contract terms, and prepare them for approval to protect project budgets
Prepare and deliver weekly project updates to the projects group that clearly communicate status, risks, budget and schedule variances, and decisions needed
Construction
Serve as Core’s representative and primary point of contact for project information workflow among the owner, Architect, General Contractor and subcontractors
Proactively identify schedule and budget risks using prior contractor performance, market standards and project historical data, and recommend mitigation strategies to leadership
Manage quality control of construction progress through active engagement with the Architect and General Contractor, from subcontractor buyout through punch list completion
Analyze the construction schedule using productivity analysis and past project metrics to confirm critical path and milestone dates are met, and recommend acceleration plans when necessary
Build, maintain and update project forecasting and tracking tools that inform cost, schedule and decision-making for the development team
Verify compliance with entitlement, architectural, permit and contract documents, and resolve or escalate nonconformance
Partner with the Design department to develop FF&E contracts and schedules and oversee installation of all FF&E
Evaluate change orders for merit, consistency with contracts and historical data, and budget impact, and make recommendations for approval
Assemble and review project invoices for conformance with contracts and process monthly payments accurately and on time
Post-Construction
Develop the project closeout plan and track all open punch list and warranty items through resolution
Implement and track warranty and punch list work following project delivery, and ensure a clean hand-off to asset management
Other
Travel will be required. On average, 1–2 days of travel are expected every other week, with additional travel expected during project delivery months (i.e., spring break through summer).
Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management
Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Finance, or other relevant field
2-4 years of experience in construction or real estate development, including exposure to project budgets, schedules, contracts, and invoice/change order review
Strong understanding of construction and development processes, from entitlement and permitting through design, construction and closeout
Sound judgment and the ability to analyze data, identify risk and make well-reasoned recommendations with increasing independence
Excellent organization, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and hold external partners accountable
Proficiency with project forecasting and tracking tools, including advanced Microsoft Excel
Located in or around the Chicagoland area, with ability to travel to project sites
You'll crush it if you have experience with
Experience in student housing, multi-family, hospitality or senior living development
Hands-on experience with Northspyre, Procore and PlanGrid
Organizational Structure
Reports to: Development Manager I/II or Senior Development Manager
Direct Reports: N/A
