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About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About CRG

CRG is a privately held real estate development and investment firm with deep expertise in industrial, office, student housing, land, and data center assets. Since 1993, we’ve developed over 220 million square feet across 12,500 acres, representing more than $14 billion in value. The firm serves clients and investors from headquarters in Chicago and St. Louis, and regional offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. CRG manages $2.3 billion in real estate assets across institutional joint ventures and four fund vehicles with over $500 million in AUM. As part of Clayco, a nationally recognized, vertically integrated real estate and construction enterprise, CRG combines the strength and scale of an industry leader with the agility of an entrepreneurial platform.

The Role We Want You For

The Director of Construction is responsible for serving as the main point of contact overseeing the execution of ground-up student housing developments from preconstruction through closeout and stabilization handoff. The Director of Construction will run the owner/architect/contractor meetings, provide answers on behalf of ownership and keep the project team on task including pay application reviews, change order reviews, RFIs and submittals. This role oversees budgets, schedules, contracting strategy, quality, safety, and project controls across a portfolio of active projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with the company’s design standards, brand, and operational requirements for student move-in.

This leader coordinates internal stakeholders (Development, Design, Finance, Asset Management, Operations/Property Management, Leasing/Marketing) and external partners (GCs, architects, engineers, consultants, municipalities, utilities) to de-risk delivery and drive predictable outcomes.

The Specifics of the Role

• Partner with Development and Design to translate underwriting assumptions into executable construction plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Lead GC/CM selection strategy (RFPs, interviews, scope leveling, bid analysis, buyout approach, qualifications).
• Develop and validate GMPs, construction schedules, logistics plans, and phasing strategies tailored to student housing turnover requirements.
• Manage constructability, value engineering, and scope alignment with brand standards and operational needs (durability, unit turns, amenity performance, life-safety, access control).
• Identify long-lead items and procurement risks early; drive early releases and supply chain strategies.
• Direct all construction activity across assigned projects, typically via third-party GCs/CMs, ensuring compliance with contract documents and company standards.
• Own project controls: schedule adherence, cost forecasting, change management, contingency governance, pay apps, and monthly reporting.
• Lead OAC cadence and executive-level project reviews; escalate risks with clear mitigation plans.
• Review and approve change orders, RFI impacts, submittals (as appropriate), and claims strategy in collaboration with Legal/Finance.
• Maintain strong field presence during critical phases (sitework, structure, enclosure, MEP rough-in, interior build, commissioning, punch, turnover).
• Establish project budgets and cost codes aligned with the company’s reporting standards; manage cash flow and forecast accuracy.
• Implement rigorous change control, ensuring scope clarity and protecting underwriting.
• Proactively manage entitlement/utility/municipal risks with Development and project teams.
• Coordinate insurance, bonding, safety compliance expectations, and risk transfer provisions.
• Enforce quality assurance processes: mockups, benchmarks, inspections, and punchlist discipline.
• Ensure all projects adhere to life-safety, accessibility, and code requirements; support commissioning and systems training.
• Champion jobsite safety culture and performance expectations with GC partners.
• Lead turnover strategy designed around student move-in deadlines (tight punch windows, phased turnover, furniture/FF&E coordination if applicable).
• Coordinate commissioning, inspections, CO/TCO, life-safety certifications, access control integration, and as-builts/O&M delivery.
• Drive closeout completion: warranty tracking, lien waivers, final accounting, and lessons learned.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers / Owners Reps (as applicable).
• Build a high-performing vendor network (GCs, MEP subs, consultants) and maintain preferred partner relationships.
• Standardize best practices, reporting templates, and construction playbooks across the portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Design, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field
• 4–8+ years of experience in real estate development, preferably with student housing or multifamily projects
• Proven experience managing ground-up development projects exceeding $50MM+ in total cost
• Strong understanding of zoning, entitlements, construction processes, and design, development and finance
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and real estate financial modeling
• Excellent project management, communication, and negotiation skills

Some Things You Should Know

• This position is based in Chicago, IL.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs across the United States.
• The pace is fast!

Why Join Clayco and CRG?

• Join a mission-driven, entrepreneurial team backed by Clayco’s national platform.
• Gain visibility and impact at the highest levels of leadership.
• Be a part of landmark real estate projects across the U.S.
• Work in an innovative culture that values speed, integrity, and excellence.
• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal. 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• RE Journals: 2023 Developer of the Year.
• RE Journals: #1 Midwest Developer (2020 & 2021), Top 4 Midwest Developer (2022–2024).
• : Industrial Influencer (2021, 2022 & 2024).
• : Multifamily Influencer (2023 & 2024).
• Crain’s Chicago Business, NAIOP, , Student Housing Business, , Connect CRE, RE Journals: Award-winning leadership and rising stars across multiple disciplines.

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $110,000 - $140,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About CRG

CRG is a privately held real estate development and investment firm with deep expertise in industrial, office, student housing, land, and data center assets. Since 1993, we’ve developed over 220 million square feet across 12,500 acres, representing more than $14 billion in value. The firm serves clients and investors from headquarters in Chicago and St. Louis, and regional offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. CRG manages $2.3 billion in real estate assets across institutional joint ventures and four fund vehicles with over $500 million in AUM. As part of Clayco, a nationally recognized, vertically integrated real estate and construction enterprise, CRG combines the strength and scale of an industry leader with the agility of an entrepreneurial platform.

The Role We Want You For

The Associate / Senior Associate – Capital Markets supports CRG’s regional offices, Capital Markets team, and senior leadership through financial analysis of new development opportunities, active projects, and the broader CRG development platform. The role will focus primarily on CRG’s industrial platform, with potential exposure over time to data centers, residential/student housing, and other asset classes.

Key responsibilities include underwriting development opportunities using Excel-based pro forma models, supporting the disposition process for completed projects, assisting with Investment Committee materials, and preparing monthly reporting packages for investors and lenders. The role also contributes to internal reporting and analysis related to CRG’s development pipeline and overall portfolio performance.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong financial modeling capabilities, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role requires sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to contribute thoughtful questions, insights, and recommendations.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead underwriting for new development opportunities; prepare excel-based financial models including in-depth financial and sensitivity analysis, valuations, and investor return modeling.
• Assist with raising joint venture equity and construction loans to capitalize new projects; prepare marketing materials, aid in capital partner diligence, and closing.
• Support regional development teams in preparing Investment Committee submissions.
• Prepare external reports on project progress for joint venture partners.
• Help administer joint ventures and construction loans by facilitating capital partner approvals for key project decisions and milestones.
• Assist in responding to lease RFPs and modeling potential leases’ impact on returns.
• Help drive the successful execution of dispositions; work with brokers to assemble marketing materials, assist with buyer diligence, closing, and calculation of distribution waterfalls.
• Help drive business insights and optimal decision making via asset, portfolio, and fund-level reporting, analytics, and dashboards
• Conduct market research for covered markets, including benchmarking and competitive supply analysis. This position is expected to develop first-hand expertise of market dynamics, competing projects, and overall activity in assigned markets in order to underwrite and value development projects.
• Assist with weekly Investment Committee process; assemble and distribute weekly packages, assist with meeting minutes.
• Support Financial Planning & Analysis with updated pro formas and other key project information for various internal reporting deliverables.
• Assist Fund Management and Investor Relations with quarterly and ad hoc reporting for investors in CRG-sponsored funds.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in real estate development, acquisitions, portfolio management, brokerage, or lending; industrial experience is a plus by not required.
• Must understand complex pro forma cash flows and valuation models. Experience with joint venture equity structures and waterfall mods is a plus but not required.
• Proven financial analysis and valuation capability (NPV, IRR, lease comparison, ROI, DCF Modeling, Payback, etc.) with highly advanced Excel modeling skills, including the accurate underwriting and modeling of large ground-up developments. Additional data aggregation and analysis skills (such as portfolio rollups and sensitivities) are a plus.
• Desire to learn and become well-versed in the market dynamics and fundamentals of covered regions.
• General understanding of the development process and key due diligence items (title, survey, environmental, zoning, entitlements).
• Intellectual curiosity, process-improvement mindset, and ability to learn, implement, and leverage AI-driven solutions and non-Excel based software / systems where appropriate.
• “How can I help”, team-oriented mentality.

Some Things You Should Know

• This position is based in Chicago, IL.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs across the United States.
• The pace is fast!

Why Join Clayco and CRG?

• Join a mission-driven, entrepreneurial team backed by Clayco’s national platform.
• Gain visibility and impact at the highest levels of leadership.
• Be a part of landmark real estate projects across the U.S.
• Work in an innovative culture that values speed, integrity, and excellence.
• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal. 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• RE Journals: 2023 Developer of the Year.
• RE Journals: #1 Midwest Developer (2020 & 2021), Top 4 Midwest Developer (2022–2024).
• : Industrial Influencer (2021, 2022 & 2024).
• : Multifamily Influencer (2023 & 2024).
• Crain’s Chicago Business, NAIOP, , Student Housing Business, , Connect CRE, RE Journals: Award-winning leadership and rising stars across multiple disciplines.

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $125,000 - $150,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).