Associate

Associate – Real Estate Investments & Development

JOB TITLE: Associate – Real Estate Investments & Development

COMPANY: Chase Merritt

LOCATION: Primarily in our Montrose, CO office. Secondarily in our Telluride, CO office. Remote flexibility required.

SALARY RANGE: $90,000 – $140,000 annually (based on experience)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time

JOB SUMMARY Chase Merritt is seeking a versatile and analytically strong Associate to serve as a core contributor across our real estate development management practice and investment management practice. This role combines deep hands-on financial modeling, underwriting, and performance analysis with primary responsibility for investor reporting and communications, as well as managing much of the firm’s internal business reporting to senior leadership—including synthesizing analytical outputs, providing strategic thinking, operational insights, and tactical recommendations to inform decision-making. You will own the majority of the detailed analytical work—from building and refining pro forma models to conducting due diligence and monitoring portfolio performance—while quarterbacking investor updates, quarterly summaries, compliance reporting, and external communications with full accountability for accuracy, timeliness, clarity, and strategic alignment. Play offense (new opportunities, underwriting, execution) and defense (development execution, reporting, portfolio oversight, risk management, optimization) with strong independence. Operate under decentralized command: understand the mission and intent from senior leaders, execute decisively within your lane, and deliver clear, actionable insights that inform decisions up the chain and with investors. Collaborate closely with the team to drive fund deployments and project success in hospitality and commercial ground-up developments—take full ownership of your deliverables and contribute meaningfully to team outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

INVESTMENT UNDERWRITING & MODELING

• Develop and maintain detailed pro forma financial models for fund investments, direct/co-investments, and development projects, including cash flows, IRR/NPV, sensitivities, debt structuring, waterfalls, and return metrics
• Conduct underwriting, due diligence, and market research on potential acquisitions, developments, and opportunistic opportunities
• Prepare investment memoranda, presentations, and analyses for ownership/investment committee review

DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT SUPPORT

• Assist in development management activities, including budgeting, entitlement coordination, capitalization and financing, financial reporting, construction oversight support, and timeline/risk tracking
• Collaborate with construction, owner’s rep, and development teams to align models with execution realities and identify value creation opportunities
• Support capital planning, CapEx tracking, and project-level financial forecasting

ASSET & PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

• Monitor post-acquisition/ongoing performance of fund assets and direct projects against underwriting, budgets, and forecasts
• Quarterback and lead all investor reporting and communications, including quarterly updates, performance summaries, and compliance reporting—own the accuracy, timeliness, and clarity
• Identify risks, value-add strategies, and optimization opportunities (e.g., revenue enhancement, cost controls, hospitality operations if applicable)

COLLABORATION & SUPPORT

• Contribute to deal sourcing, investor relations materials, and ad-hoc analyses as needed
• Maintain organized model libraries, data sources, and documentation for repeatability and audit readiness
• Support and mentor junior team members where applicable and facilitate cross-functional coordination between development management and investment management practices—build trust, provide clear guidance, and foster ownership at every level

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Business, or related field
• 3–6 years of experience in real estate private equity, asset management, development underwriting, investment analysis, or related (buy-side preferred; sell-side or development advisory acceptable)
• Demonstrated advanced experience in financial modeling, including building and maintaining detailed pro forma projections in Excel (DCF analysis, IRR, equity multiples, layered debt structures, tiered waterfalls, and sensitivities); familiarity with specialized tools like Argus or similar software is a plus
• Strong analytical, detail-oriented, and both written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while collaborating effectively and taking full ownership

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience spanning both investment/underwriting and development/project execution
• Familiarity with hospitality/commercial development, opportunistic strategies, or closed-end funds
• Exposure to investor reporting, due diligence, or Colorado/Western U.S. markets

REPORTING & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Reports to: Managing Director
• Work Arrangement: This is an in-person role primarily based in our Montrose, CO office, with occasional travel to our Telluride, CO office. Limited remote flexibility may be considered after onboarding and proven performance
• Works closely with: Managing Director, Project Controller, Project Manager, Asset Manager, Development & Construction teams, as well as external advisors, attorneys, consultants, and partners.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person