Title: Development Associate Business Unit: Real Estate Work Schedule: Hybrid Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt Work Location: Mountain View, CA Date Submitted: October 2026 Salary Range: $130k to $155k plus annual bonus eligibility
JOB SUMMARY
This position is part of a team of professionals focused on the development of commercial and multifamily projects in the SF Bay Area. The Development Associate will support our development team across all phases of real estate development projects, from feasibility and financial modeling through design, marketing, construction, and asset management. This role will contribute to the evaluation of potential acquisitions, assist in managing existing assets, and provide essential analytical and project coordination support to ensure the successful execution of projects.
While this person’s responsibilities will primarily focus on real estate development activities, the position may also support other cross-organizational initiatives related to housing security and sustainability.
This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Job Responsibility 1: Project & Financial Analysis 50% of Time
- Assist with the evaluation and analysis of the feasibility of projects
- Produce and update financial models, pro formas, and feasibility analyses for new development opportunities and value-add acquisitions.
- Assist with the preparation of project plans and budgets, summarizing the details of a project, including strategy, design, timeline, and economic returns
- Assist with the coordination of projects during entitlement and construction to ensure execution of the project plan and to help deliver the project on time and on budget
- Track budgets, invoices, cost variances, and project cashflows; support forecasting and project reporting.
- Conduct research on market trends, comparable properties, zoning requirements, and construction costs to inform decision-making.
- Assist in capital planning, investment memos, and marketing/financing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
Job Responsibility 2: Project Coordination & Development Support 40% of Time
- Assist and begin to take on management responsibilities in design coordination, entitlement processes, site planning, and permitting activities for assigned projects.
- Participate as a member of project development teams, supporting communication between consultants, contractors, architects, and internal stakeholders.
- Begin to develop and maintain relationships with consultants, brokers, lenders, and other key partners
- Monitor and update project schedules and documentation to support project milestones and track construction/entitlement progress.
- Assist with the preparation of materials such as project plans and decks for the Real Estate Executive Committee meetings
- Communicate and collaborate with internal and external team members regarding the details and status of projects
- Help coordinate capital projects, asset management activities, and marketing communications as required.
Job Responsibility 3: Other Responsibilities as Assigned 10% of Time
QUALIFICATIONS
Education / Training
- Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Economics, Business, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience/Technical Skills
- 3–5 years of relevant experience in real estate development, construction management, investment analysis, asset management, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience with financial modeling, project budgeting, pro forma analysis, and real estate underwriting.
- Knowledge of the real estate development lifecycle, including acquisition, due diligence, entitlement, design, construction, and asset management.
- Familiarity with zoning, permitting, entitlement processes, and development due diligence.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office software products, including Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, and project management tools. Knowledge of Argus is a plus.
- Effective project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Intense analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to identify risks and recommend practical solutions.
- Experience tracking project budgets, schedules, cash flows, and key development milestones.
- Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present information and recommendations to varied audiences.
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with consultants, contractors, brokers, lenders, government agencies, and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Familiarity with the Bay Area real estate market.
- Detail-oriented, organized, proactive, and eager to learn.
- Interest in or familiarity with sustainable development, ESG initiatives, or green building practices is a plus.
ORGANIZATION Reports to: Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development Direct Reports: N/A
Alignment to Our Mission, Culture, and Values We hire individuals who share our vision of building a better future through business and philanthropic leadership, impacting the lives of countless fellow residents of our region in a way that could be replicated in other major metropolitan regions around the country and affecting the lives of millions.
Our Mission and Values The Sobrato Organization’s mission is to build a more equitable and sustainable world through business and philanthropic leadership. We work to inspire current and future generations to steward family resources in service of others around the world. We have established a deep legacy in Silicon Valley that includes a commitment to community, and our values honor and promote this legacy: Mutual Accountability: We earn trust by taking ownership of our work and honoring our commitments to each other, our partners and our communities. Collaboration: We believe in the value of collaboration and partnership in achieving effective solutions. We treat people with respect and value the diverse experiences and perspectives of our partners, colleagues and investees. Engagement: We recognize that lasting impact requires building deep relationships with our stakeholders and getting proximate to our communities and the work. We act with humility, respect and compassion. Excellence: We focus on results, maintain a strong work ethic, and persist through challenges. We innovate, take risks, and embrace creativity and continuous learning. Integrity: We endeavor to deal transparently, honestly and fairly. We strive to do what is right, especially when it is hard.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents on the first of the month following the hire date
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Fertility program benefits
- Comprehensive mental health benefits for employees and dependents
- Retirement savings account with matching contributions of up to 10%
- Twenty PTO days in the first year of service in addition to paid year-end closure days between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Eleven paid holidays
- Transit commuter benefits
- Tuition assistance and professional development initiatives for growth
- Technology allowance
- Employee matching gifts program
- Generous parental leave
- Flexible and inclusive work environment
- Enjoy a professional yet comfortable work environment with our business casual dress code
- Catered lunches, healthy snacks and beverages
- Acknowledgement for exceptional work as well as important moments in the lives of those we work with
Compensation Transparency
At TSO, base pay is part of a broader compensation package and is set within a range, allowing for growth as you advance in your role. The pay range for this role is between $130,000 and $155,000 with discretionary bonus eligibility.
Salary offers are determined based on various factors, including experience, education, licensure and/or certifications, internal equity, and specific business and organizational needs.
About Us
Founded by John A. Sobrato in 1979 and led by CEO Tony Mestres, The Sobrato Organization remains a family-owned firm known for integrity and dedication, with no outside investors or joint venture partners. Since 1953, the Sobrato Family has played a pivotal role in shaping Silicon Valley through its real estate development. Its office and R&D projects comprise 7.5 million square feet, most of which are Class A, mid-rise office buildings. TSO also owns 30 apartment communities totaling 6,700 units along the West Coast. Through Sobrato Philanthropies, the firm has donated more than $379 million in cash and real estate to the Silicon Valley community. We have established a deep legacy in Silicon Valley that includes a commitment to community and our values honor and promote this legacy. The Sobrato Organization is committed to its mission of building strong and vibrant communities where we live and do business. To achieve this, we embrace becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization that empowers our people. Our team remains at the core of what we do. We strive to consistently lead from a space of learning and strengthening our capacity for change. We understand our responsibility to cultivate a culture of belonging, appreciation, and respect. We believe that TSO must be a place where staff feel at ease in expressing themselves honestly and openly. Advancing these important initiatives is mission-critical to our ability to maximize our impact in the world. The Sobrato Organization is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to building a team that represents a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, experiences, perspectives, and skills and to creating an environment of inclusion and belonging for all employees regardless of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. The Sobrato Organization is expanding, and we are passionate about growing our staff with people who have diverse voices with different lived experiences. The Sobrato Organization participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.