Development & Acquisitions Jobs

Source deals, underwrite returns, and build what gets built across US real estate.

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Key Development & Acquisitions Capabilities

The skills and strengths employers look for in this field.

Financial Modeling & Underwriting

Building discounted cash flow, waterfall, and development pro forma models in Excel and Argus to evaluate returns, leverage, and sensitivities.

Market & Submarket Analysis

Assessing supply, demand, rent and absorption trends, comparables, and demographic drivers to validate investment theses.

Deal Sourcing & Origination

Cultivating broker and owner relationships, screening pipelines, and identifying off-market opportunities that fit fund strategy.

Due Diligence

Coordinating legal, environmental, title, zoning, and physical inspections and reconciling findings into go/no-go recommendations.

Entitlements & Zoning

Navigating land use approvals, rezonings, variances, and community and municipal processes to de-risk development sites.

Capital Markets & Financing

Structuring debt and equity, preparing investment committee memos, and supporting joint-venture and partnership negotiations.

Project & Construction Oversight

Managing budgets, schedules, design teams, and general contractors to deliver projects on time and on cost.

Negotiation & Deal Execution

Negotiating LOIs, purchase and sale agreements, and development contracts through to closing.

Development & Acquisitions Market Overview

Development and acquisitions sit at the front end of the real estate capital cycle. Acquisitions professionals source, screen, and underwrite investment opportunities — modeling cash flows, running sensitivity analyses, and building investment committee memos — while development teams take land and assets through entitlement, design, financing, and construction to a completed, income-producing property.

Demand concentrates in major metros and Sun Belt growth markets, with multifamily, industrial and logistics, data centers, and mixed-use among the most active asset classes. Hiring is cyclical and closely tied to interest rates, cap-rate movements, and transaction volume; firms range from REITs, private-equity funds, and institutional investors to merchant developers, homebuilders, and vertically integrated owner-operators.

Compensation is heavily weighted toward variable pay. Base salaries are supplemented by annual bonuses and, at senior levels, carried interest or promote participation, so total earnings can materially exceed base figures. Strong financial modeling (Excel/Argus), market analysis, and deal-execution skills command a premium across the field.

Entry typically comes from analyst roles requiring a bachelor's degree in finance, real estate, or a related field; progression into associate, manager, and director/VP roles rewards a demonstrable track record of closed deals and delivered projects.

Development & Acquisitions Salary Guide

Indicative ranges — actual pay varies by location, experience and employer.

Role	Base Salary (USD)	Experience	Total Comp Potential
Acquisitions / Development Analyst	$70,000 – $95,000	0–3 years	$80,000 – $130,000 with bonus
Acquisitions / Development Associate	$95,000 – $130,000	3–6 years	$120,000 – $180,000 with bonus
Acquisitions Manager	$110,000 – $150,000	5–8 years	$140,000 – $210,000 with bonus
Development Manager	$110,000 – $160,000	5–10 years	$140,000 – $220,000 with bonus
Land Acquisition Manager	$100,000 – $150,000	5–10 years	$130,000 – $220,000 with bonus
Entitlements Manager	$100,000 – $145,000	5–10 years	$120,000 – $190,000 with bonus
Director of Acquisitions	$160,000 – $230,000	8–15 years	$220,000 – $400,000+ with bonus/promote
Development Director / VP	$170,000 – $250,000	10+ years	$250,000 – $500,000+ with bonus/carry

Ranges are indicative US national figures; base pay varies significantly by market (NYC, SF, LA, DC and Boston pay above average), asset class, and firm type. Bonuses, carried interest, and deal promotes can represent a large share of total compensation at senior levels.

Development & Acquisitions Job Roles

Common job titles and roles for Development & Acquisitions professionals.

Acquisitions Analyst Acquisitions Associate Acquisitions Manager Director of Acquisitions Development Analyst Development Associate Development Manager Development Director Real Estate Developer Land Acquisition Manager Entitlements Manager Construction Manager (Real Estate)VP of Acquisitions VP of Development Investment Associate Asset Repositioning Manager

Professional Bodies & Qualifications

CCIM

CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)

Designation from the CCIM Institute focused on commercial investment analysis, financial modeling, and deal-making; well regarded in acquisitions and investment roles.

LEED AP

LEED Accredited Professional

USGBC credential in sustainable design and construction, valuable for development roles delivering green or certified buildings.

PMP

Project Management Professional

PMI certification in project management, relevant for development and construction management roles overseeing schedules, budgets, and teams.

State Real Estate License

Salesperson or broker license issued by the state real estate commission; often required or preferred for roles involving brokerage, land acquisition, or transactions.

SIOR

SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors)

Designation for experienced industrial and office real estate professionals, signaling expertise in those asset classes.

Urban Land Institute (ULI) Membership

Leading industry body for land use and development professionals, offering research, networking, and professional development.

NAIOP Membership

Commercial Real Estate Development Association providing education, advocacy, and networking for development and acquisitions professionals.

Career Path & Progression

Analyst

Supports underwriting, market research, and due diligence; builds and maintains financial models and investment materials. Typically 0–3 years with a finance, real estate, or related degree.

Associate

Leads underwriting on live deals, manages due diligence workstreams, and begins direct broker and partner interaction. Usually 3–6 years of experience.

Manager

Owns deals or projects end to end — sourcing, closing, entitlements, or construction delivery — and mentors junior staff. Around 5–10 years.

Director / VP

Sets acquisition or development strategy, leads capital raising and investment committee approvals, and carries P&L and team responsibility. 8–15+ years with a track record of closed deals.

Head of Acquisitions / Development (SVP / Partner)

Defines platform strategy, owns the pipeline and portfolio, and participates in carried interest or equity. Typically 15+ years.

Latest Development & Acquisitions jobs

Organization Development Manager

Kidder Mathews

Seattle, Washington

Construction Manager

BXP

Washington, District of Columbia

Development & Acquisitions Jobs by Location

Washington, District of Columbia1 Seattle, Washington1

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications do I need to get into real estate acquisitions or development?

Most entry-level analyst roles require a bachelor's degree in finance, real estate, economics, accounting, or a related field. Strong Excel and financial modeling skills are essential, and familiarity with Argus is a plus. An MBA or a master's in real estate development/finance can help with advancement, and designations like CCIM or LEED AP add credibility in investment and development tracks respectively.

How much can I earn in Development & Acquisitions?

Analysts typically start around $70,000–$95,000 base, rising to $95,000–$130,000 as associates and $110,000–$160,000 at manager level. Directors and VPs commonly earn $160,000–$250,000+ base. Bonuses are significant across the field, and senior roles often include carried interest or deal promotes, so total compensation can far exceed base pay.

What's the difference between acquisitions and development roles?

Acquisitions teams source and underwrite existing assets or land to buy, focusing on investment returns and deal execution. Development teams take land or assets and create or reposition them — managing entitlements, design, financing, and construction through to completion. Many professionals move between the two, and some firms combine the functions.

Is the current market a good time to find a role in this field?

Demand remains healthy but cyclical, as hiring tracks transaction volume, interest rates, and cap rates. Active sectors like multifamily, industrial and logistics, and data centers continue to drive openings, particularly in major metros and Sun Belt growth markets. Candidates with proven underwriting skills and a track record of closed deals are consistently sought after.

Do I need a real estate license for acquisitions or development jobs?

A license is not usually required for in-house analyst, associate, or underwriting roles. However, a state salesperson or broker license can be required or preferred for positions involving brokerage, land acquisition, or direct transaction work, and it can broaden your opportunities.

What skills matter most for progression?

Financial modeling and underwriting, market analysis, due diligence, and negotiation are core throughout. As you advance, deal origination, capital markets fluency, entitlements know-how, and the ability to lead projects and teams become the differentiators that move you into director and VP roles.

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