What are the responsibilities and job description for the Acquisitions & Development Associate/Manager position at Macdonald & Company?
Macdonald & Company are proudly partnered with a well-capitalized, privately held real estate investment and development firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. The firm has built a substantial portfolio across the Southeastern U.S. through the acquisition and development of retail and mixed-use assets, supported by long-standing institutional capital relationships and a fully in-house execution team.
As the platform continues to grow its retail and mixed-use development pipeline, our client is seeking to hire an Acquisitions & Development Associate/Manager to focus on sourcing, underwriting, and advancing new development opportunities across core Southeastern markets.
The Role
This position will sit on the front end of the investment and development process, with responsibility for identifying and evaluating new retail and mixed-use opportunities, working directly with landowners, brokers, municipalities, and internal leadership. The successful candidate will play a key role in expanding the firm’s development pipeline and, over time, will have the opportunity to take projects through the full development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Proactively source new retail and mixed-use development opportunities, including off-market land and redevelopment sites
- Build and maintain relationships with landowners, brokers, retailers, and local stakeholders
- Perform feasibility analysis, underwriting, and deal evaluation in partnership with the in-house analytics team
- Assist with investment committee materials and internal approvals
- Support entitlement, site selection, and early-stage development planning
- Collaborate with senior leadership on deal structuring and execution
- Over time, assume greater responsibility for advancing projects from sourcing through development
Experience:
- 2–7 years of experience in real estate acquisitions, development, leasing, or investment sales, ideally with exposure to retail or mixed-use assets
- Strong understanding of retail fundamentals, site selection, and market dynamics
- Experience sourcing or evaluating deals, with comfort engaging directly with owners and brokers
- Solid financial and analytical skills (Excel-based underwriting experience preferred)
- An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate in a lean, growth-oriented environment
- Willingness to be mentored and grow into a broader development role over time