Commercial Property Development Associate

Dunhill Staffing Systems; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunhill Staffing Systems in Charleston seeks a Retail/Commercial Property Development Associate to support end-to-end development projects from site selection through closing. You will build financial models, assess feasibility, and coordinate due diligence with stakeholders.

The role emphasizes market research, zoning reviews, budget tracking, and collaboration with project managers to align schedules with financial assumptions. A strong finance/real estate background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MS Real Estate, MBA) preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain financial models and pro formas for development projects.
• Conduct market research and site selection analysis.
• Evaluate zoning, land use, and entitlement constraints for approvals.
• Perform development feasibility and risk assessments, including scenario planning.
• Prepare and track project budgets and update forecasts.
• Review due diligence and coordinate data gathering and issue tracking.
• Coordinate construction timelines with project managers and contractors.
• Prepare materials and reports summarizing findings, risks, and recommendations.

Skills

Financial modeling

Cash flow analysis

IRR

NPV

Sensitivity analysis

Stakeholder reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Real Estate/Economics/Business

Advanced degree (MS Real Estate, MBA) preferred

Job description

Step into a key role with a growing commercial real estate development team in Charleston, where you'll help shape high-impact projects across the region.

About the Role

As a Retail/Commercial Property Development Associate, you will support the end-to-end evaluation and execution of development projects, from initial site selection through closing. You'll play a central role in building financial models, assessing feasibility and risk, and coordinating due diligence to ensure projects are viable, well-structured, and aligned with stakeholder objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain detailed financial models and pro formas for potential and active development projects.
• Conduct market research and site selection analysis to identify and compare development opportunities.
• Evaluate zoning, land use, and entitlement constraints and collaborate with internal and external parties to support approvals.
• Perform development feasibility and risk assessments, including sensitivity analyses and scenario planning.
• Prepare and track project budgets, monitoring variances and updating forecasts throughout the development lifecycle.
• Review and coordinate transaction due diligence, including documentation review, data gathering, and issue tracking.
• Support understanding of construction processes and timelines by liaising with project managers and contractors to align schedules with financial assumptions.
• Prepare clear, concise materials and reports for stakeholders and investors, summarizing key findings, risks, and recommendations.

Key Requirements

• Experience in commercial or retail real estate development, investment, or related field with direct exposure to underwriting and deal analysis.
• Strong financial modeling skills, including cash flow analysis, IRR, NPV, and sensitivity testing for development projects.
• Proven ability to perform real estate valuation for income-producing commercial assets and development sites.
• Working knowledge of zoning, land use, entitlement processes, and their impact on project feasibility.
• Demonstrated capability in market research and site selection analysis, using both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience with development feasibility and risk assessment, including identifying key project risks and mitigation strategies.
• Familiarity with construction processes and timelines sufficient to align financial models and budgets with delivery schedules.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder and investor reporting and coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MS Real Estate, MBA) preferred but not required.