Real Estate Associate

Housing on Merit • Full-time • Los Angeles, California, United States • $110k - $135k / year • 1w ago

Real Estate Associate

About the Employer

Housing on Merit is a mission-driven organization that evaluates and executes affordable housing partnerships across the country. The organization combines a for-profit approach with a nonprofit mission to expand access to quality housing and create lasting financial and personal impact for residents.

Role Summary

Housing on Merit is seeking a Real Estate Associate to own the full lifecycle of affordable housing partnerships from initial feasibility to final signature. This Associate-level role serves as the backbone of the transaction process, providing direct exposure to key stakeholders and requiring full investment in outcomes, not just process. You will be the engine behind the work—responsible for the financial analysis that proves deal viability and the operational mechanics that turn potential into reality.

What You'll Do

Build financial models from scratch to evaluate transaction viability under complex regulatory frameworks (LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, etc.), identifying structural adjustments that maximize impact and keep deals moving
Own the critical path from contract execution to closing, managing timelines and coordinating between developers, legal counsel, regulators, and lenders
Proactively resolve bottlenecks and serve as the bridge between internal team, legal counsel, and external partners to ensure projects close with precision
Translate complex regulatory, legal, and financial requirements into clear guidance for partners and ensure requirements are being met for timely closing
Maintain accurate records in internal systems and synthesize complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership
Serve as the primary point of contact for developer partners, building trust through transparency, consistency, and proactive communication

Required Qualifications

2–4 years of experience in management consulting, real estate, affordable housing finance, or comparably demanding analytical environment
Expert-level Excel modeling skills with the ability to build models from scratch and evaluate complex scenarios and tradeoffs
Strong project ownership mindset—managing outcomes, not just tasks, with attention to detail and a focus on closing deals
Clear, direct communication skills with the ability to bridge technical legal and financial requirements with practical developer needs

Preferred Qualifications

Exposure to LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, or similar frameworks
Prior experience working at or with a nonprofit organization
Experience with real estate or compliance-driven transactions

Additional Information

Housing on Merit is a small, high-performing team that moves quickly, holds each other accountable, and takes the work seriously. For the right candidate, this role is a direct path to expanded responsibility across organizational strategy and partner development as the organization grows.

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