Assistant Vice President, Development

Position Title: Assistant Vice President or Vice President, Development

Location: Boston, MA

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Development

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

Company Overview:

Cottonwood Group is a private equity real estate investment firm with offices in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. Since its founding in 2012, Cottonwood has served as a trusted investment partner to global institutions, foundations, pension funds, and family offices.

The firm operates a multi-strategy platform focused on North American real estate, with the majority of activity concentrated in the United States. Cottonwoods flexible mandate enables it to act as a lender, investor, operator, and sponsor, allowing for tailored capital solutions and strategic alignment with partners.

To date, Cottonwood has invested, transacted, and advised on over $7 billion of U.S. real estate through a range of capital vehicles, including pooled funds, separate accounts, public and private investment platforms, and entities in which Cottonwood maintains control or governance rights.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and analytically skilled Assistant Vice President or Vice President, Development to support the firms development investment, ground-up development and development services platform. This role is unique in that it blends real estate private equity underwriting with hands-on development and construction oversight.

This position will work closely with the firms SVP/Head of Development and Investments team to support the evaluation and execution of equity and debt investments in development projects in primary markets across the country, while also taking on select development services assignments on behalf of external clients.

The ideal candidate brings a well-rounded skill set across financial analysis, project feasibility, due diligence, and construction/development execution, and is comfortable operating across both transactional and project management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Investment Underwriting & Execution

• Collaborate with the Investment team to evaluate equity and debt investment opportunities in third-party-sponsored real estate developments
• Perform downside and sensitivity analyses to assess risk across key variables (cost, timing, lease-up, exit assumptions)
• Review sponsor underwriting and challenge key assumptions
• Review detailed development pro formas, project budgets and operating cash flow projections
• Assist with preparation of internal investment memoranda and presentation materials for select transactions

Due Diligence & Risk Assessment

• Support all aspects of transaction due diligence, including market, financial, legal, and technical review
• Coordinate and review third-party reports (appraisals, environmental, engineering, market studies, cost reviews)
• Evaluate development budgets, schedules, and construction risks
• Identify key deal risks and propose mitigation strategies
• Interface with sponsors, consultants, and legal teams throughout the diligence process

Portfolio & Asset Monitoring

• Monitor active investments during pre-development and construction phases
• Review sponsor reporting, construction progress, and budget performance
• Track key construction and development milestones
• Support internal reporting to senior management and investors

Third-Party Development & Construction Project Management

• Lead or support development management assignments for external clients
• Oversee projects from pre-development through construction and delivery
• Manage budgets, schedules, and consultant teams (architects, engineers, contractors)
• Conduct site visits and monitor construction progress, quality, and costs
• Review pay applications, change orders, and contractor performance
• Provide strategic guidance to clients on design, cost control, and execution

Qualifications:

• 510 years of experience in real estate private equity, development, or a related field
• Strong financial modeling and underwriting skills, including development pro-formas and waterfalls
• Experience evaluating or equity and/or debt investments in development projects
• Strong knowledge of construction processes, budgeting, and project execution
• Experience with due diligence and third-party consultant coordination
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams across transactions and active projects
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MSRE, or similar) preferred

Preferred Attributes

• Experience working with third-party sponsors or in a lender/investment role
• Exposure to multiple asset classes (primarily for-sale residential, multifamily, mixed-use, land, retail, data centers)
• Strong judgment and ability to identify and underwrite risk
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate independently
• Comfortable in a hybrid role spanning both investments and development execution

Why Join our Team?

• Be part of a firm that has consistently grown throughout market cycles, institutional investment grade while maintaining its nimble and entrepreneurial culture.
• Collaborative, respectful, supportive, and entrepreneurial culture.
• Beautiful office in Boston.
• Hybrid schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance with generous time off.
• Passion to provide opportunity for growth.
• Attractive and competitive compensation package.
• Rich benefit plans including affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage and 401K with up to 4% match.
• Company paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.

Compensation: Base range starting at $150,000+ plus annual discretionary bonus

Cottonwood is an equal opportunity employer which takes pride in diversification and providing an environment where all team members can thrive. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.