Development Associate

Location: Redondo Beach, CA

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

Job Description

This job posting relates to a job opportunity at GSA Management, LLC, a vertically integrated self-storage acquisition, development and management company owned by Ares.

Objective:

The Development Associate will be responsible for the preparation of site investigation reports, cost completion reports, project status reports, and maintaining project files. The successful candidate will have knowledge of real estate transactions, construction methods, be detail-oriented, and purpose-driven to set and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities:

• Manages all aspects of development, including design, entitlements/government approvals, project budgets, and financial feasibility.
• Collaborates with the design team and various consultants, expediters, surveyors, and inspectors.
• Assists in overseeing and reviewing the general contractor’s detailed construction budget, change orders, and schedule. Review monthly updates to ensure coherent sequencing, logic, and adherence to contractual milestones.
• Supports the construction loan process by overseeing monthly requisition submissions to the lender and conducting walk-throughs with the lender’s inspector.
• Assists in obtaining the required governmental approvals and project signoffs.
• Maintains and manage project tracking logs (RFIs, submittals, permits, change orders, etc.) to ensure timely processing of all critical project documentation.
• Closely monitors the general contractor’s QC/QA and safety programs to ensure work complies with project quality standards, regulations, and contract requirements.
• Assists in preparing the Budget Status Report, tracking all contracts, and periodically updating cash flow projections based on actual construction progress.
• Manages project closeout activities and coordinates with asset management, property management, and facilities management teams.
• Assists with deal due diligence, including reviewing environmental and geotechnical reports, reviewing public records, contacting city agencies, and helping with pricing potential development schemes.

Other Functions:

• Must be willing to travel to other company sites as necessary.
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skill and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree is required. A background in Civil Engineering is highly preferred. 
• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in the development of multiple properties and/or retail chain development experience.  Preference will be given to candidates with prior ground-up development experience. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, strategic planning, and project management skills. 
• Experience in assessment and mitigation of risks in the transaction, entitlement, and development processes.
• Experienced in environmental approval process in California is preferred
• Proficiency in project scheduling software.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to sell your ideas and the rationale behind them.
• Has exhibited a high degree of self-motivation, integrity, and success in past endeavors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential.
• Ability to handle multiple transactions and projects simultaneously.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Frequent to constant walking and standing on a job site as necessary.

Compensation

$130,000 - $160,000

Reporting Relationships

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.