Acquisition Associate

The W Companies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Mileage reimbursement

Entertainment/meal budget

Job summary

A retail real estate development firm is looking for a proactive Acquisition Associate in Chicago, IL. The role involves supporting site selection and acquisition processes for new retail projects. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree in Real Estate or a related field, along with 1-3 years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include evaluating development opportunities, conducting trade area analyses, and collaborating with various teams. The position offers a chance to grow within an entrepreneurial company with benefits including health insurance and travel allowances.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in real estate, preferably in retail development.
• Strong understanding of retail site selection criteria.
• Self-starter with project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate new retail development opportunities.
• Conduct trade area analysis and competitive mapping.
• Assist in preparing site feasibility analyses.

Skills

Real estate market analysis

Communication skills

Networking

Excel proficiency

Understanding of retail site selection criteria

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, or Urban Planning

Master’s degree (a plus)

Tools

Excel

ESRI

GoogleEarth

MapInfo

Job description

Location:Chicago, IL

Job Type:Full-Time

Reports To:Managing Director of Development and Acquisitions

Company Overview:

The W Companies is a dynamic and growing retail real estate development firm specializing in ground-up shopping centers, single-tenant net lease properties, and redevelopment of underutilized retail assets. We pride ourselves on identifying high-potential locations and delivering quality developments that meet the needs of both national and regional tenants.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a proactive and driven Acquisition Associate to support the site selection, acquisition, and pre-development processes for new retail projects. This role is ideal for someone with a strong interest in retail real estate, a sharp eye for identifying opportunities, and a desire to play a hands-on role in growing a retail portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Source and evaluate new retail development opportunitiesthrough market research, broker relationships, cold calling, and site visits.
• Conducttrade area analysis, demographic studies, and competitive mapping to assess market potential.
• Assist in preparingsite feasibility analyses, including zoning assessments, preliminary layouts, and financial models.
• Work closely with brokers, landowners, and municipalities to advance potential deals.
• Help prepareletters of intent (LOIs)and support negotiation of purchase agreements.
• Coordinate and track due diligence items, including title, surveys, environmental reports, and entitlement requirements.
• Support internal investment and committee presentations with market data, visuals, and underwriting summaries.
• Maintain a pipeline report of potential sites and track lead status, activity, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with construction, legal, and leasing teams as projects move from acquisition to vertical development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Urban Planning, or a related field. Master’s degree a plus.
• 1–3 years of experience in real estate, preferably in retail development, brokerage, or acquisitions.
• Strong understanding of retail site selection criteria, including traffic patterns, co-tenancy, access/visibility, and trade area demographics.
• Proficiency in Excel and mapping software (e.g., ESRI, GoogleEarth, MapInfo, or similar); familiarity with CoSta is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially in networking and deal sourcing.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple tasks and timelines independently.
• Passion for retail, market trends, and identifying high-value opportunities in evolving retail landscapes.
• OWNERSHIP in projects
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Mileage reimbursement, entertainment/meal budget and travel allowances
• Opportunity to grow with a fast-paced, entrepreneurial company