Development Analyst

Macdonald & Company is partnering with a privately held real estate investment and development firm seeking a Development Analyst to join its team in Fort Lauderdale. The firm invests across multiple asset classes, including multifamily, residential, hospitality, mixed-use and retail, with a focus on both ground-up development and acquisitions of existing assets.

Working directly with senior leadership, the successful candidate will be responsible for underwriting new investment opportunities, building detailed financial models and supporting transactions from initial evaluation through closing. This position offers broad exposure to the investment and development lifecycle within a lean, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently build and manage financial models for ground-up developments, acquisitions and redevelopment opportunities.
• Underwrite development budgets, construction costs, financing, interest carry, project timelines and lease-up assumptions.
• Analyze investment returns, including IRR, equity multiple, yield-on-cost and cash-on-cash returns.
• Perform sensitivity analyses, evaluate debt and equity structures, and model joint venture waterfalls.
• Underwrite stabilized and value-add acquisitions, including property cash flows, operating assumptions and exit strategies.
• Prepare investment memoranda, financial presentations and analysis for senior leadership and capital partners.
• Support market research, due diligence, feasibility studies and transaction execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Real Estate, Accounting, Economics or a related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in real estate development, acquisitions or investment underwriting.
• Demonstrated ability to independently build comprehensive ground-up development financial models in Excel.
• Strong understanding of development budgets, construction financing, interest carry, lease-up and investment returns.
• Experience underwriting multifamily, residential, hospitality, mixed-use or other commercial real estate projects.
• Familiarity with acquisition underwriting, debt/equity capitalization and joint venture structures.
• Advanced Excel skills, strong analytical capabilities and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with senior leadership.
• Willingness to work five days per week in the Fort Lauderdale office.