Development Associate - Retail

Macdonald & Company; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Macdonald & Company has exclusive engagement to appoint a Retail Development Associate in Charleston, SC, joining a growing development team focused on ground-up retail projects for national retailers. The role offers exposure across the full development lifecycle, from site selection through construction and delivery.

Ideal candidates bring 2–4 years in retail real estate development, with strong analytical, organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of retail real estate development experience.
• Experience with ground-up retail development including site selection, due diligence, entitlements and construction coordination.
• Strong understanding of retail site selection methodology, zoning and commercial development processes.
• Ability to read and interpret site plans, engineering drawings and construction documents.
• Working knowledge of commercial real estate contracts, purchase agreements and development documentation.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Photoshop or similar design software is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Planning or a related discipline.
• MBA, Juris Doctor or Real Estate License would be considered an advantage.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple projects in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally throughout the Southeast as projects require.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the sourcing, evaluation and execution of ground‑up retail development opportunities.
• Conduct market research, demographic analysis, traffic studies and site selection for national retail clients.
• Analyze zoning, market conditions and development constraints to identify suitable sites.
• Prepare site feasibility studies and preliminary development layouts.
• Support the negotiation of Letters of Intent and purchase agreements.
• Coordinate all aspects of due diligence, including environmental assessments, surveys, geotechnical investigations and third‑party consultant reports.
• Work closely with engineers, architects, attorneys, municipalities and contractors throughout the entitlement and development process.
• Prepare project approval packages and supporting development materials.
• Review site plans, civil drawings, construction budgets and project schedules.
• Assist in managing projects through design, permitting, construction and final delivery.
• Build strong relationships with brokers, landowners, consultants, contractors, municipal officials and national retailers.
• Monitor project milestones, identify potential risks and ensure projects progress on schedule.

Skills

Retail real estate development

Site selection

Due diligence

Entitlements

Construction coordination

Reading site plans & drawings

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Planning or related discipline

MBA, Juris Doctor or Real Estate License (advantage)

Tools

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Macdonald & Company has been exclusively retained by a privately owned commercial real estate owner and developer to appoint a Retail Development Associate to join its growing development team in Charleston, South Carolina.

Our client has established itself as a respected retail developer, delivering ground-up development projects for a portfolio of nationally recognized retailers throughout the Southeast United States. Operating as a lean, entrepreneurial platform, the business offers the opportunity to work across the full development lifecycle, providing exposure from site selection and acquisitions through due diligence, entitlements, design and construction. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious development professional looking to build a long-term career within retail real estate development.

The Retail Development Associate will support the sourcing, evaluation and execution of multiple ground‑up retail development projects while working alongside experienced Development Managers. This role offers broad exposure across every stage of the development process and is well suited to someone who already has retail development experience and is looking to take the next step within an owner/developer platform.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the sourcing, evaluation and execution of ground‑up retail development opportunities.
• Conduct market research, demographic analysis, traffic studies and site selection for national retail clients.
• Analyze zoning, market conditions and development constraints to identify suitable sites.
• Prepare site feasibility studies and preliminary development layouts.
• Support the negotiation of Letters of Intent and purchase agreements.
• Coordinate all aspects of due diligence, including environmental assessments, surveys, geotechnical investigations and third‑party consultant reports.
• Work closely with engineers, architects, attorneys, municipalities and contractors throughout the entitlement and development process.
• Prepare project approval packages and supporting development materials.
• Review site plans, civil drawings, construction budgets and project schedules.
• Assist in managing projects through design, permitting, construction and final delivery.
• Build strong relationships with brokers, landowners, consultants, contractors, municipal officials and national retailers.
• Monitor project milestones, identify potential risks and ensure projects progress on schedule.

Qualifications

• 2‑4 years of retail real estate development experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working on ground‑up retail development projects including site selection, due diligence, entitlements and construction coordination.
• Strong understanding of retail site selection methodology, zoning and commercial development processes.
• Ability to read and interpret site plans, engineering drawings and construction documents.
• Working knowledge of commercial real estate contracts, purchase agreements and development documentation.
• Excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Photoshop or similar design software is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Planning or a related discipline.
• MBA, Juris Doctor or Real Estate License would be considered an advantage.
• Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented and capable of managing multiple projects in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment.
• Willingness to travel occasionally throughout the Southeast as projects require.