Associate, Development

Who We Are

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company, it’s a people company. Where building relationships is just as important as building properties. From researchers and architects to designers and operators, Core is made up of risk takers and dreamers who are on a mission to invent the future of living. Our six cultural values guide us every day and we strive to live them in everything we do: PUSH (Invent Better Places to Live), GRIT (We Got This), LIFT (Help Each Other Win), SHINE (Bring Your Full Self), UPHOLD (Never Break Trust), GROW (Always Get Better). Everything Core does stems from this culture of collaboration and innovation, and the drive to constantly improve the resident experience. This unique approach has led to creating spaces and services that are redefining the way people live.

What We Do

Founded in 2010, Core is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on acquiring, developing and managing across the student housing and build-to-rent (“BTR”) sectors. Its residential communities feature world-class amenities, progressive design, and hospitality-driven service. Core’s student housing portfolio includes over 74,440 beds currently owned or managed, with a pipeline of over 53,860 beds in various stages of development. Core’s BTR division has over 3,000 homes under development, now leasing or in its pipeline in high-growth metros nationwide. For more information, visit www.corespaces.com.

*Portfolio and pipeline numbers as of Q2 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.