Real Estate Associate

Real Estate Associate

Reports to: SVP of Operations and Strategy  |  Location: Los Angeles, CA (4 days in-office, 1 day remote) or Remote-Eligible for the right candidate) |  Compensation: $110,000–$135,000

About the Role

Housing on Merit is seeking a Real Estate Associate to evaluate and execute affordable housing partnerships across the country. We are looking for an aspiring “Deal Architect” – someone to own the full lifecycle of affordable housing partnerships from initial feasibility to final signature.

We are mission-driven and we take that seriously, which means we also take performance seriously. That means quick iterations, profit-optimizing thinking applied to every deal structure, and a high bar for individual accountability.  Think a for-profit approach to a non-profit mission.

We believe success requires both analytical rigor and seamless operational execution. You will be the engine behind our work—responsible for the math that proves deal viability and the mechanics that turn potential into reality. This is an Associate-level role in title; however, you are the backbone of our transaction process. We give Associates direct exposure to key stakeholders that is rare at this career stage, because our best outcomes come from people who are fully invested in the result—not just the process.

We move fast, hold a high bar for quality, and expect you to own your workstreams end to end. You will be the bridge between our internal team, legal counsel, and external partners—ensuring every project closes with precision.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Deal Feasibility & Financial Modeling: Build financial models from scratch to evaluate transaction viability under complex regulatory frameworks (LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, etc.). Identify the structural adjustments—deal terms, rent levels, compliance approaches—that maximize impact and keep deals moving.
  2. Project Execution: Own the critical path from contract execution to closing. Manage timelines, coordinate between developers, legal counsel, regulators, and lenders, and proactively resolve bottlenecks before they become delays.
  3. Regulatory Coordination: Translate complex regulatory, legal, and financial requirements into clear guidance for partners. Work with internal and external teams to ensure requirements are being met for a timely close.
  4. Data & Decision Support: Maintain accurate records in our internal systems and synthesize complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership.
  5. Partner Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for developer partners, building trust through transparency, consistency, and proactive, clear communication.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• 1. Experience: 2–4 years in management consulting, real estate, affordable housing finance, or comparably demanding analytical environment
  2. Analytical Rigor: Expert-level Excel modeling skills; the ability to build models from scratch and evaluate complex scenarios and tradeoffs.
  3. Project Ownership: You manage outcomes, not just tasks. You track what’s missing before someone asks. You are detail oriented and push things to close.
  4. Communication: A clear, direct communicator who can bridge the gap between technical legal/financial requirements and the practical needs of developer partners.

Preferred

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

Why Join Us?

We are a small, high-performing team that moves quickly, holds each other accountable, and takes the work seriously. The mission is real—our work expands access to quality housing and creates lasting financial and personal impact for residents. Joining Housing on Merit means building deep, hands-on expertise in housing finance while closing transactions that tangibly change communities. We are growing fast—and for the right candidate, this role is a direct path to expanded responsibility across organizational strategy and partner development.

How To Apply?

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@housingonmerit.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.