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Real Estate Development Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Direct Counsel

Real Estate Associate Attorney

Boston, MA

$240K - $420K/yr

Development agreements * Property management agreements * Other real estate-related transactional documents * Handle transactions involving mixed-use, office, multifamily, retail, hospitality, resort ...

City of Boston

Director of Real Estate

Boston, MA · On-site

Our efforts fund the Planning Department's planning and economic development functions, while also supporting the mission to guide inclusive growth in our city. The Director of Real Estate is ...

WS Development

Coordinator, Real Estate

Chestnut Hill, MA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Potential for Growth/Longer Term Success At WS Development, we prioritize the growth and development of our team members. As a Real Estate Coordinator, you will have numerous opportunities to expand ...

WS Development

Coordinator, Real Estate

Chestnut Hill, MA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Potential for Growth/Longer Term Success At WS Development, we prioritize the growth and development of our team members. As a Real Estate Coordinator, you will have numerous opportunities to expand ...

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All JobsReal Estate Development JobsReal Estate Development Jobs in Boston, MA

Real Estate Development information

See Boston, MA salary details

$59.2K

$111.1K

$176K

How much do real estate development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for real estate development in Boston, MA is $111,107.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $139,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the qualifications to get a job in real estate development?

The qualifications to get a job in real estate development vary depending on your responsibilities. For investment and development jobs, the most important thing is money, whether it is from personal wealth or investors. Some developers work specifically with municipal governments or community organizations. If you seek investors, you need to have strong financial skills, good negotiation and presentation tactics, and strategic vision. To become a construction or design worker in real estate development, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or credentials from an apprenticeship and several years of work as a commercial or residential contractor. Marketing professionals need a background in PR or real estate.

What is real estate development?

Real estate development is the process of creating new buildings or renovating existing properties for residential, commercial, or mixed-use purposes. It involves tasks such as acquiring land, securing financing, obtaining permits, overseeing construction, and managing the eventual sale or lease of the property. Developers coordinate with architects, contractors, government agencies, and investors throughout each stage of a project. The goal is to transform raw land or underutilized properties into valuable assets that meet market demand.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a real estate developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Real Estate Developer, you need strong project management, financial analysis, and market research skills, often supported by a degree in real estate, business, or a related field. Familiarity with financial modeling software, CAD tools, and zoning or permitting systems is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving abilities set top developers apart. These skills are crucial for successfully managing complex projects, securing investment, and navigating regulatory environments to deliver profitable developments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in real estate development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in real estate development often encounter challenges such as navigating complex zoning regulations, securing project financing, and coordinating with a diverse group of stakeholders including architects, contractors, and government agencies. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong project management skills, effective communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Building a network of reliable partners and staying informed about local market trends can also help mitigate risks and ensure project success.

What is the difference between Real Estate Development vs Real Estate Brokerage?

AspectReal Estate DevelopmentReal Estate Brokerage
Required CredentialsReal estate license, possibly a degree in real estate, finance, or urban planningReal estate license, sales certification
Work EnvironmentProject sites, offices, planning meetingsReal estate offices, property showings, client meetings
Industry UsageInvolved in planning, financing, and constructing new propertiesFacilitates property sales and leasing between buyers and sellers

Real estate development focuses on creating new properties from planning to construction, while real estate brokerage centers on selling and leasing existing properties. Both roles require real estate licenses but differ significantly in daily activities and project involvement.

More about Real Estate Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA? For Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Real Estate Development jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Real Estate Development jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Real Estate Development job openings:
Real Estate Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Real Estate Development job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,107 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

Real Estate Development Officer

City of Boston

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

City Of Boston rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

448th of 841 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Overview:
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Strategy and Dispositions, the Real Estate Development Officer is responsible for managing the redevelopment process of vacant or underutilized parcels to create more affordable, equitable, and resilient uses.
The Real Estate Division within the Planning Department manages a portfolio of over 13 million square feet of land across Boston neighborhoods. The properties include the Charlestown Navy Yard, Long Wharf, and the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, as well as significant neighborhood-based redevelopments. Notable active disposition projects include the Austin Street Parking Lots in Charlestown, Housing + Library projects in Uphams Corner and Chinatown, Parcel P-3 in Roxbury, and many others. The Real Estate Division also works closely with a variety of other City of Boston departments on disposition activities. As a collaborative member of the disposition team, the Real Estate Development Officer will focus on leading and coordinating the due diligence, financial analysis, community engagement, and legal transactions necessary to successfully develop housing, public assets, economic development, or permanent open space throughout Boston.
Responsibilities:
Disposition Research and Planning:
  • Maintains systems to prioritize and track the disposition status of developable property.
  • Creates financial models to evaluate potential development scenarios.
  • Collaborates with City Staff and community stakeholders to evaluate potential development options against existing zoning, neighborhood context, community feedback, policy objectives, and economic development priorities.

Community Engagement:
  • Participates and leads public discussions and community meetings to engage the public and achieve consensus wherever possible on site-specific development priorities.
  • Operates transparently and collaboratively with community members, real estate developers, public officials, and other stakeholders.
  • Manages relationships with abutters during the development process.
  • Prioritizes inclusivity and equity in both the public process around development and in the development process itself.

Technical Real Estate Property Sales Execution:
  • Authors Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other technical documents to solicit development interest and guide the award of development rights.
  • Applies Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B to the property disposition process.
  • Orders and interprets appraisals as needed.
  • Tracks the real estate market in Boston and applies this knowledge to advise strategic decision-making.
  • Works closely with the Commercial Leasing team to establish appropriate land lease terms and payments for properties going into development.
  • Works closely with the Legal division to negotiate the business terms within real estate transactions.

Development Underwriting:
  • Creates models and pro-formas to evaluate the financial feasibility of various potential development scenarios.
  • Analyzes the financial submissions of developers competing to develop property and provides recommendations on the relative strengths, weaknesses, and overall feasibility of proposed projects.

Project Management:
  • Provides detail-oriented project management of all projects at all stages of the development, including project inception, community process, evaluation of proposals, tentative designation, permitting and Article 80, and construction.
  • Negotiates with developers until the successful completion of the project.
  • Establishes systems to track the project management tasks and responsibilities of staff members involved in real estate disposition.

Fiscal Stewardship:
  • Understands the full value of a parcel and ensures that the development benefits the people of Boston and does not unreasonably enrich private interests.
  • Ensures that today's development deals protect the long-term fiscal health of the Agency.
  • In addition to the tasks above, may perform other duties as assigned to advance development on publicly owned land.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
  • Work requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Urban Planning, Real Estate, Public Administration, Public Policy or a related field or equivalent, in addition to two plus (2+) years of directly relevant real estate development experience. A Master's degree is preferred and may be used to substitute for required experience.
  • Understanding of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B governing the disposition of public real estate.
  • Understanding of financial modeling and the demonstrated ability to build accurate conceptual real estate development pro-formas.
  • Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with a preference for experience in community engagement work with diverse populations.
  • Excellent written communication.
  • Self-motivated team player that is curious and able to lead cross-functional groups through complex work.
  • Detail-oriented project management skills.
  • Strong critical thinking to continuously review internal policies and procedures in order to improve upon and standardize processes.
  • Values-driven leader that prioritizes diversity, inclusivity, and public good.
  • Must exercise discretion and sound judgment and be capable of handling confidential and highly sensitive information with professionalism and unquestionable integrity.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Terms:
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union / $76,750 - $107,350
Hours per week: 35

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