Associate, Real Estate Strategy (Built Environment)

About MKThink 

MKThink is a future-forward design firm grounded in spatial intelligence and dedicated to “Build Less, Solve More.” We work at the intersection of architecture, systems thinking, and strategy—helping institutions make better decisions about space, resources, and long-term impact. Our interdisciplinary team brings together designers, strategists, and analysts to solve complex challenges across workplaces, school districts, universities, and civic organizations. 

The Role  

We are seeking an Associate, Real Estate Strategy to support our consulting work at the intersection of space, data, and organizational strategy. 

This role is suited for early- to mid-career professionals with experience in real estate consulting, planning, or economic development who are ready to take on meaningful responsibility. Candidates should be able to work independently, think critically, and contribute to project work with limited oversight while continuing to grow within MKThink's frameworks. 

Rather than focusing on single-asset development or pure financial underwriting, this position centers on shaping portfolio-level strategies, investment priorities, and system-wide decisions that guide how organizations deploy and optimize their real estate assets. 

Who This Role Is For 

This role is for candidates who: 

• Have a background in real estate, urban planning, development, or a related field with strong analytical capabilities
• Are motivated to work on complex, mission-driven problems at an institutional scale
• Are interested in applying real estate thinking at a portfolio or systems level
• Are curious about how real estate decisions influence organizational performance, financial outcomes, and long-term impact
• Want to work across disciplines—integrating strategy, analytics, and spatial thinking
• Are comfortable taking ownership of workstreams and contributing to client-facing deliverables early on

Responsibilities:

Discovery and Problem Definition 

• Contribute to client engagements to define and frame complex challenges related to asset portfolios, performance, and organizational goals
• Conduct research to build a systems-level understanding of the problem context
• Help develop guiding principles and success metrics
• Identify data needs and opportunities to strengthen decision-making

Analysis & Insight Development 

• Collaborate with analysts to analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights, working with large, sometimes incomplete datasets.
• Conduct real estate portfolio and opportunity analysis, need assessments, and scenario modeling.
• Develop models to evaluate investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and phasing scenarios.
• Translate findings into clear implications for real estate portfolio and organizational strategy. 
• Collaborate with planning and design strategists to connect findings with physical outcomes.

Strategy & Recommendations 

• Contribute to the development of portfolio strategies, asset plans, and investment frameworks
• Support the development of implementation roadmaps and phasing strategies
• Help define opportunities for consolidation, adaptive reuse, and more efficient use of existing assets
• Produce clear, well-structured deliverables, including presentations, reports, and strategy documents

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Support interviews, workshops, and client meetings
• Communicate complex ideas clearly to various stakeholder audiences. 
  

Project & Client Support 

• Support project planning and coordination
• Develop presentations and deliverables
• Assist with business development materials

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including financial modeling and data analysis 
• Familiarity with Census and other data sources commonly used in real estate market and needs analyses 
• Ability to synthesize research and translate findings into actionable insights
• Understanding of real estate fundamentals, including development processes and market dynamics
• Strong problem-solving and systems thinking capabilities
• Excellent communication and storytelling across written and verbal formats. Ability to direct visual output for effective storytelling 
• Ability to structure work, manage time effectively, and produce high-quality outputs with limited direction
• Proficiency with:

• Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint) 
• Experience with data analysis tools or GIS is a plus
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite or visualization tools is a plus

• Experience in project management is a plus 

Working with Others:

• Self-awareness and willingness to continuously improve.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and seek support when needed. 
• Flexibility in collaborating with teams and clients; able to receive, clarify, and incorporate feedback. 
• Demonstrates kindness and actively supports colleagues. 

Interests:

Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following:

• The role of real estate in supporting organizational or public-sector outcomes
• The impact of built environment solutions on community strength, human health, environmental resiliency, or learning outcomes.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate degree preferred in one of the following or similar: Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Architecture / Business joint degree 
• 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in real estate consulting, economic development, planning, or a related field
• Interdisciplinary experience bridging real estate, planning, and strategy is a plus.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

• Cover letter.
• A single PDF with your resume and work samples demonstrating your fit for the role