Development Associate

Job Title: Development Associate – Retail Real Estate

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Director of Real Estate / VP of Development

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 Development 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 opportunities through market research, broker relationships, cold calling, and site visits.
• Conduct trade area analysis, demographic studies, and competitive mapping to assess market potential.
• Assist in preparing site feasibility analyses, including zoning assessments, preliminary layouts, and financial models.
• Work closely with brokers, landowners, and municipalities to advance potential deals.
• Help prepare letters 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.

Compensation & Benefits:

• 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