Senior Development Associate

About the role

Bedrock is an award-winning real estate developer focusing on comprehensive city building initiatives in Detroit and Cleveland. Its work includes creating iconic cityscapes, rehabilitating historic properties, and making space for the community—all with the philosophy to operate for more than profit. Since 2011, Bedrock has invested and committed more than $7.5 billion to develop and restore more than 140 properties, totaling over 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, hospitality, industrial, data centers and parking. In 2024, Bedrock was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. For additional information about Bedrock, please visit bedrockdetroit.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Position Summary

The Senior Development Associate reports directly to the Managing Director, Cleveland and takes an active role in managing Bedrock real estate development and special projects from initial conception through opening. Building on foundational development and underwriting experience, the Senior Development Associate functions as an owner's representative, exercising independence in day-to-day project execution while operating within the strategic direction set by the Managing Director. The role partners closely with Bedrock's construction, finance, architecture, legal, marketing, and other internal teams, as well as outside consultants, to plan, program, design, and deliver development projects that will reshape Downtown Cleveland.

Essential Functions

• Supports and independently manages components of multiple development projects, including ground-up and adaptive reuse residential, office, mixed-use, parking, and public space developments.
• Contributes to project planning and strategic recommendations related to program, phasing, schedule, and investment levels to support project objectives and market viability.
• Captures and coordinates with cross-functional Bedrock teams on project schedule, budget, design, construction, marketing, branding, leasing, and operational considerations.
• Reviews and provides feedback on architectural, engineering, financial, marketing, and consultant deliverables.
• Conducts financial underwriting, feasibility analyses, development modeling, and investment scenario evaluations for assigned projects.
• Analyzes development opportunities from financial, strategic, operational, and risk-management perspectives and develops recommendations for leadership review.
• Researches and evaluates solutions to development-related challenges, including land use, transportation, utilities, infrastructure, entitlement, and public policy considerations.
• Maintains project budgets, pro formas, schedules, and consultant engagements; identifies variances and recommends corrective actions as needed.
• Develops and maintains relationships with contractors, consultants, public agencies, legal counsel, and other external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepares presentations, reports, analyses, investment materials, and project updates to support business decisions and leadership discussions.
• Tracks industry trends, emerging development practices, and market activity and identifies opportunities to apply relevant insights to active projects.
• Provides regular updates on project progress, milestones, risks, and key decisions to Development leadership.
• All other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

• Applies sound judgment to development-related issues and independently manages assigned workstreams while elevating higher-risk or strategic decisions as appropriate.
• Knowledge of real estate development processes, project management principles, financial analysis, underwriting, and development feasibility concepts.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to review and interpret architectural drawings, engineering reports, development budgets, pro formas, legal documents, and project schedules.
• Ability to build effective relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders and navigate complex projects in a collaborative environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Economics, Construction Management, Architecture, Finance, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in real estate development, development consulting, acquisitions, project management, or a related field.
• Experience supporting mixed-use, residential, office, hospitality, or urban development projects preferred.
• Experience with financial modeling, underwriting, feasibility analysis, and project budgeting.
• Strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and consultants throughout the development lifecycle preferred.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Economics, Construction Management, Architecture, Finance, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in real estate development, development consulting, acquisitions, project management, or a related field.
• Experience supporting mixed-use, residential, office, hospitality, or urban development projects preferred.
• Experience with financial modeling, underwriting, feasibility analysis, and project budgeting.
• Strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and consultants throughout the development lifecycle preferred.