Core Spaces Header

Associate, Development Manager

Chicago, IL
Full-Time

Job Description

Who We Are

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company, it’s a people company. Where building relationships is just as important as building properties. From researchers and architects to designers and operators, Core is made up of risk takers and dreamers who are on a mission to invent the future of living. Our six cultural values guide us every day and we strive to live them in everything we do: PUSH (Invent Better Places to Live), GRIT (We Got This), LIFT (Help Each Other Win), SHINE (Bring Your Full Self), UPHOLD (Never Break Trust), GROW (Always Get Better). Everything Core does stems from this culture of collaboration and innovation, and the drive to constantly improve the resident experience. This unique approach has led to creating spaces and services that are redefining the way people live.


What We Do

Founded in 2010, Core is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on acquiring, developing and managing across the student housing and build-to-rent (“BTR”) sectors. Its residential communities feature world-class amenities, progressive design, and hospitality-driven service. Core’s student housing portfolio includes over 59,000 beds currently owned or managed, with a pipeline of over 50,930 beds in various stages of development. Core’s BTR division has over 3,000 homes under development, now leasing or in its pipeline in high-growth metros nationwide. For more information, visit www.corespaces.com.

*Portfolio and pipeline numbers as of Q4 2025


Benefits That Matter

  • A culture that provides you with a sense of belonging
  • Hybrid or remote work options may vary by role to support work-life balance
  • Competitive pay that values your contributions
  • Incentives designed to reward your achievements
  • Paid flexible PTO to disconnect or celebrate life milestones
  • Paid 15 holidays, including your birthday, to disconnect and celebrate
  • Paid Parental Leave that begins after 90 days
  • Paid volunteer time off to give back to your community
  • Monthly workshop weeks; fewer meetings & more collaboration
  • Robust health plan options that begin within at least 30 days of your employment
  • Monthly phone reimbursement
  • Wellness allowance and perks, including a yearly subscription to a meditation app
  • An environment that provides you a voice to share your perspectives
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for access to confidential support services
  • Company retirement options including 401(k) + matching & Roth account option

Position Overview

The Associate, Development Manager is responsible for working in lock step with the Redevelopment/Capex Team on the day to day diligence of their assigned tasks for capital and redevelopment projects through planning/due diligence/acquisition/hand-off/through completion and turn over. The Development Associate reports to the Vice President of Construction for Redevelopment and Capex and works with other members of the company to successfully complete Core’s Redev/Capex projects on time, within budget, adhere to the brand objectives, are consistent with Core’s historical standards, and are compliant with Core’s specifications.

This will require management and organization of the project information and documentation to ensure the design, preconstruction, and construction of projects are completed within the requirements of Core standards and specifications.


What You Will Do

Pre-Construction & Planning

  • Actively participate in the Core capex process including: management of 10 year plans and assisting with the planning of capex project within their assigned property portfolio, support of site & maintenance teams for project scoping, budgeting & set up for execution
  • Ensure all physical components of the project meet Core’s standards and specifications
  • Track the bidding/contracting/design/permitting/execution/closeout process against Redev/Capex Schedules
  • Manage RFP/Bidding process for all assigned projects
  • Document project meetings and manage accountability and completion of deliverables
  • Create contracts and confirm that agreements for consultants, vendors and contractors are consistent between projects and hold all vendors accountable for the obligations of their contracts
  • Ensure invoices and billings are accurate for work completed and consistent with contractual agreements and create draw packages when applicable
  • Provide standard updates and reporting as required for both Redevelopment and Capex work.
  • Ensure all components of General Contractor’s contractual agreement, specifically schedule, qualifications and inclusions, are consistent with Core standards

Construction

  • Management of all capex and redevelopment projects approved for assigned property portfolio
  • On-site project representation for Core and the main point of contact for information workflow
  • Identifying schedule and budget risks based on previous contractor performance, market standards, and project historical data
  • Manage quality control of the construction progress through interaction with the Architect and General Contractor from subcontractor buyout through punch list completion
  • Track project construction schedule using productivity analysis and past project metrics to ensure critical path and milestones date are met and provide recommendation for acceleration, if necessary
  • Creation and updating of project forecasting and tracking tools
  • Confirm compliance with entitlement, architectural, permit and contract documents
  • Work with Design department to develop FFE contracts, schedule, and oversee installation of all FFE
  • Review change orders for consistency with contracts and historical data
  • Assemble and review all project invoices for conformance with contracts and process monthly payments

Post-Construction

  • Project closeout plan and track all open punch list and warranty items
  • Implementation and tracking of warranty and punch list work following project delivery
  • Occasional travel may be necessary as needed
  • Transition of projects/project information (warranty, specifications, etc) back to management and maintenance teams
  • Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management
  • Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation

Ideally, You'll Have

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, or other relevant field
  • 2-4 Years of Experience in Construction or Real Estate Development
  • A good understanding of construction and development processes
  • Located in or around the Chicagoland area

You'll crush it if you have experience with

  • Student Housing, Multi-Family, Hospitality, or Senior Living
  • Experience with Northspyre, Procore, Plan Grid

Organizational Structure

Reports to: Vice President of Construction (Redev/Capex)

Direct Reports: N/A


Disclaimer

Please note that job responsibilities, reporting lines, and duties outlined in this job description are subject to change to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Core Spaces celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, which creates a sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are and the community they represent.


Pay Range

USD $80,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr.
Additional Compensation

Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, typically 5-20% of base salary annually, depending on individual and organizational performance.
Compensation Disclosure

The compensation range listed reflects the base salary or hourly rate that we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, seniority, geographic location, and business needs.

This role may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, including bonuses, commissions, stipends, or non-cash incentives, depending on position and performance. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other role-based offerings, subject to eligibility requirements.

All compensation components are subject to change based on business needs or market conditions.

PDN-a068323e-3ec0-4f5f-9f50-0caadcd06b50
Who We Are

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company, it’s a people company. Where building relationships is just as important as building properties. From researchers and architects to designers and operators, Core is made up of risk takers and dreamers who are on a mission to invent the future of living. Our six cultural values guide us every day and we strive to live them in everything we do: PUSH (Invent Better Places to Live), GRIT (We Got This), LIFT (Help Each Other Win), SHINE (Bring Your Full Self), UPHOLD (Never Break Trust), GROW (Always Get Better). Everything Core does stems from this culture of collaboration and innovation, and the drive to constantly improve the resident experience. This unique approach has led to creating spaces and services that are redefining the way people live.


What We Do

Founded in 2010, Core is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on acquiring, developing and managing across the student housing and build-to-rent (“BTR”) sectors. Its residential communities feature world-class amenities, progressive design, and hospitality-driven service. Core’s student housing portfolio includes over 59,000 beds currently owned or managed, with a pipeline of over 50,930 beds in various stages of development. Core’s BTR division has over 3,000 homes under development, now leasing or in its pipeline in high-growth metros nationwide. For more information, visit www.corespaces.com.

*Portfolio and pipeline numbers as of Q4 2025


Benefits That Matter

  • A culture that provides you with a sense of belonging
  • Hybrid or remote work options may vary by role to support work-life balance
  • Competitive pay that values your contributions
  • Incentives designed to reward your achievements
  • Paid flexible PTO to disconnect or celebrate life milestones
  • Paid 15 holidays, including your birthday, to disconnect and celebrate
  • Paid Parental Leave that begins after 90 days
  • Paid volunteer time off to give back to your community
  • Monthly workshop weeks; fewer meetings & more collaboration
  • Robust health plan options that begin within at least 30 days of your employment
  • Monthly phone reimbursement
  • Wellness allowance and perks, including a yearly subscription to a meditation app
  • An environment that provides you a voice to share your perspectives
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for access to confidential support services
  • Company retirement options including 401(k) + matching & Roth account option

Position Overview

The Associate, Development Manager is responsible for working in lock step with the Redevelopment/Capex Team on the day to day diligence of their assigned tasks for capital and redevelopment projects through planning/due diligence/acquisition/hand-off/through completion and turn over. The Development Associate reports to the Vice President of Construction for Redevelopment and Capex and works with other members of the company to successfully complete Core’s Redev/Capex projects on time, within budget, adhere to the brand objectives, are consistent with Core’s historical standards, and are compliant with Core’s specifications.

This will require management and organization of the project information and documentation to ensure the design, preconstruction, and construction of projects are completed within the requirements of Core standards and specifications.


What You Will Do

Pre-Construction & Planning

  • Actively participate in the Core capex process including: management of 10 year plans and assisting with the planning of capex project within their assigned property portfolio, support of site & maintenance teams for project scoping, budgeting & set up for execution
  • Ensure all physical components of the project meet Core’s standards and specifications
  • Track the bidding/contracting/design/permitting/execution/closeout process against Redev/Capex Schedules
  • Manage RFP/Bidding process for all assigned projects
  • Document project meetings and manage accountability and completion of deliverables
  • Create contracts and confirm that agreements for consultants, vendors and contractors are consistent between projects and hold all vendors accountable for the obligations of their contracts
  • Ensure invoices and billings are accurate for work completed and consistent with contractual agreements and create draw packages when applicable
  • Provide standard updates and reporting as required for both Redevelopment and Capex work.
  • Ensure all components of General Contractor’s contractual agreement, specifically schedule, qualifications and inclusions, are consistent with Core standards

Construction

  • Management of all capex and redevelopment projects approved for assigned property portfolio
  • On-site project representation for Core and the main point of contact for information workflow
  • Identifying schedule and budget risks based on previous contractor performance, market standards, and project historical data
  • Manage quality control of the construction progress through interaction with the Architect and General Contractor from subcontractor buyout through punch list completion
  • Track project construction schedule using productivity analysis and past project metrics to ensure critical path and milestones date are met and provide recommendation for acceleration, if necessary
  • Creation and updating of project forecasting and tracking tools
  • Confirm compliance with entitlement, architectural, permit and contract documents
  • Work with Design department to develop FFE contracts, schedule, and oversee installation of all FFE
  • Review change orders for consistency with contracts and historical data
  • Assemble and review all project invoices for conformance with contracts and process monthly payments

Post-Construction

  • Project closeout plan and track all open punch list and warranty items
  • Implementation and tracking of warranty and punch list work following project delivery
  • Occasional travel may be necessary as needed
  • Transition of projects/project information (warranty, specifications, etc) back to management and maintenance teams
  • Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management
  • Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation

Ideally, You'll Have

  • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, or other relevant field
  • 2-4 Years of Experience in Construction or Real Estate Development
  • A good understanding of construction and development processes
  • Located in or around the Chicagoland area

You'll crush it if you have experience with

  • Student Housing, Multi-Family, Hospitality, or Senior Living
  • Experience with Northspyre, Procore, Plan Grid

Organizational Structure

Reports to: Vice President of Construction (Redev/Capex)

Direct Reports: N/A


Disclaimer

Please note that job responsibilities, reporting lines, and duties outlined in this job description are subject to change to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Core Spaces celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, which creates a sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are and the community they represent.


Pay Range

USD $80,000.00 - USD $110,000.00 /Yr.
Additional Compensation

Employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses, typically 5-20% of base salary annually, depending on individual and organizational performance.
Compensation Disclosure

The compensation range listed reflects the base salary or hourly rate that we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, seniority, geographic location, and business needs.

This role may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, including bonuses, commissions, stipends, or non-cash incentives, depending on position and performance. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other role-based offerings, subject to eligibility requirements.

All compensation components are subject to change based on business needs or market conditions.

PDN-a068323e-3ec0-4f5f-9f50-0caadcd06b50

About Core Spaces

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company, we’re a people company. Building relationships is as important as building properties. Guided by our values: PUSH (Invent Better Places to Live), GRIT (We Got This), LIFT (Help Each Other Win), SHINE (Bring Your Full Self), UPHOLD (Never Break Trust), and GROW (Always Get Better). Our culture of collaboration and innovation drives us to continually enhance the resident experience. This commitment has led us to create spaces and services that redefine the way people live.  

Our reach extends through CBX Connect (managed Wi-Fi for multifamily and student housing), Treehouse Builders (construction services for multifamily, build-to-rent, and residential projects), and New Here Coffee (vibrant cafés in our Core communities).

All open positions across Core and our affiliated entities are posted on TalentAlly, but you can visit our Careers Site to explore more about our culture, benefits, and businesses.

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Associate, Development Manager
Core Spaces
Chicago, IL
Nov 21, 2025
Full-time
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