Associate

Job Description

Job Description

THE COMPANY

Standard Communities is a leading owner, investor, and developer of affordable and middle-income housing. As one of the largest owners of affordable housing in the U.S., we believe housing is a pathway to prosperity. We deliver high-quality, sustainable homes that foster community and offer our 75,000+ residents the opportunity to build brighter futures.

With over $6 billion in assets under management and a portfolio of nearly 30,000 units across 200 properties in 22 states + Washington, D.C., our team blends nationwide scale with local expertise. As a Certified B Corporation and California Benefit Corporation, we value high performance, social responsibility, and innovation. Headquartered in Los Angeles and New York, with offices across the country, we’re driven by a shared mission: to transform housing, empower residents, and strengthen communities. We don’t just build housing—we build opportunities. If you’re passionate about real estate, community impact, and professional growth, we’d love to hear from you.

At Standard Communities, we value urgency in execution, precision in our work, and empathy in our interactions. These core principles guide us in how we build, collaborate, and grow together.

THE POSITION

As an Associate, you will play a leadership role in underwriting, transaction execution, and portfolio strategy across Standard Communities’ investment platforms. You will use financial analysis, communication, and strategic problem-solving to oversee deal underwriting, manage closing processes, and coordinate with internal teams and third-party stakeholders.

This role offers broad exposure across acquisitions, new development, redevelopment, Essential Housing, and asset management initiatives. You will work closely with senior leadership while maintaining ownership of financial models, managing complex deal workflows, and helping identify opportunities while mitigating risk across the investment lifecycle.

Depending on team placement (Essential Housing, Development, Redevelopment, Asset Management, or Acquisitions), the Associate will contribute to overall company goals in a meaningful way based on their strengths and areas of interest. Our roles are all 100% in office to allow the best opportunity for connection and collaboration. With offices based in NY, LA, DC, and IL, we offer a wide range of departments where you can add value and further establish your career in the affordable housing space. This is a high-impact role offering broad exposure to senior leadership, external stakeholders, and a mission-driven real estate investment strategy.

What You Can Expect To Do

Financial Analysis & Underwriting Leadership

• Lead financial analysis and underwriting of potential acquisitions, development, and redevelopment opportunities utilizing Excel.
• Develop detailed, complex financial models used to evaluate and value real estate investments.
• Maintain full ownership of financial models throughout the deal lifecycle, including assumptions, calculations, and sensitivity analyses.
• Create and maintain stabilization analyses for relevant tax credit and non-stabilized acquisitions, including periodic financial review of recently closed deals.
• Prepare and maintain distribution worksheets and communicate with investors regarding distributions and asset updates.

Transaction Execution & Deal Management

• Lead transaction execution efforts from initial underwriting through closing.
• Manage the deal closing process, including preparation of closing statements and coordination among lenders, investors, legal counsel, brokers, and sellers.
• Keep deal timelines, underwriting templates, and due diligence notes updated and organized.
• Oversee the engagement of third-party vendors, ensuring appropriate reports are ordered based on deal characteristics.
• Review third-party reports, market studies, engineering reports, environmental reports, and other diligence materials to refine underwriting assumptions.
• Work with Capital Markets to ensure debt and equity investors receive all required analyses and documentation.
• Lead efforts related to insurance coverage, including engaging brokers for quotes and coordinating required coverage levels.

Affordable Housing & Agency Coordination (Where Applicable)

• Assist in the preparation of LIHTC tax credit applications in coordination with internal teams and local counsel.
• Assist in the preparation of HUD assignments and Mark-to-Market (MU2M) applications in coordination with HUD counsel and internal stakeholders.
• Manage processes such as 5th Year Contract Rent Adjustments, including procurement of updated Rent Comparability Studies (RCS) and coordination of implementation across departments.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Portfolio Integration

• Prepare transition memos and partner with Operations, Construction, Compliance, and Asset Management teams to ensure smooth post-closing transitions.
• Act as a source of institutional knowledge regarding initial operating plans and underwriting assumptions.
• Coordinate closely with Development, Asset Management, Construction, Legal, Compliance, and Finance teams across active projects.
• Train and mentor Analysts supporting assigned transactions.

What You Should Have

• 5–10 years of relevant experience in the multifamily real estate sector, with a focus on finance, underwriting, acquisitions, development, or asset management.
• Affordable housing experience strongly preferred (LIHTC, HUD, workforce housing, or similar programs).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Real Estate, or related field.
• Advanced Excel modeling proficiency; ability to build, audit, and manage complex financial models independently.
• Strong understanding of multifamily operating fundamentals, capital stacks, debt structures, and equity partnerships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, presentation, and analytical skills.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to take ownership and consistently follow through on complex processes.
• Willingness to travel on occasion.

What You Should Be

• Curious, ambitious, and thoughtful by nature.
• A highly motivated real estate finance professional who values accountability and precision.
• Well-rounded and comfortable working across legal, construction, asset management, compliance, and policy disciplines.
• An independent self-starter who operates with confidence and initiative.
• Highly accountable — you take ownership, meet deadlines, and care deeply about the quality of your work.
• Calm under pressure and able to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A strong communicator who can interface effectively with investors, lenders, agencies, brokers, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and contribute wherever needed.
• Passionate about affordable housing and motivated by the impact of your work.

At this time, Standard Communities is not able to sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Standard Communities is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.