Info about Project Managers at Larger Commercial Real Estate Firms
Posted this in /r/RealEstateDevelopment, but it's a pretty small/inactive sub.

Currently in an MSRED program and would like to get into real estate development on my own someday, but would love to work for a firm for 10 or 15 years first. I've worked on real estate projects with my family, but never professionally so I'm just getting the hang of how these larger firms operate. 

I have a 3.9 GPA, currently competing in a school real estate project, will be graduating at the end of spring at a good, regional school in a hot, medium-sized market. I have a law degree and about ten years of other work experience. 

A few questions:

- Would an assistant/associate project manager role at some place like CBRE or Cushman and Wakefield be appropriate? Is applying to become a project manager after graduating realistic? If I performed well at assistant level, how long on average does it take to ascend?

- If anyone has worked in one of these positions before: Is it a good job? Did it/will it help your career? Is it a good jumping point to get into development?

- Are there any other jobs you might recommend like a real estate analyst? Would it be better to consider project management at a more boutique firm?
[{"id": "hro2x5t", "text": "I'm a project manager that got a job out of grad school (Msred). I had no development experience but did have 2 yrs of property management. I work for a small shop but I would still say that either a project coordinator or assistant project manager role would certainly be appropriate. Project management is a lot of soft skills. This will carry you at first as you get stronger with the technical parts of the job. As you grow, you'll get more authority because you'll understand more of how the project works.", "replies": [{"id": "hrohy2i", "text": "That's a good sign. In my area I saw a few developers are hiring coordinators, assistants, and managers so I'll give it a shot. Thanks!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hrob1ws", "text": "Are talking about construction project management as a route to development, or the title of \"project manager\" in the investment analyst / development role? \n\nWhat sector or property type are wanting to develop or learn about, and want to ultimately do in 10  15 years?\n\nI think schooling has little bearing on your progression or ability to jump rungs of the ladder any more quickly in the construction side.  It seems like it might be more important in the capital markets side however.  - curious what market are you in?", "replies": [{"id": "hrof2je", "text": "Thanks for the reply!\n\n&gt;&gt;Are talking about construction project management as a route to development, or the title of \"project manager\" in the investment analyst / development role? \n\nAnalyst / Development role. I've taken a decent amount of construction management classes in the MS program but not enough to take the reigns by any means. My undergrad is in poli sci. \n\n&gt;What sector or property type are wanting to develop or learn about, and want to ultimately do in 10  15 years?\n\nI love mixed use, primarily retail and residential, but I like industrial as well. I love urban, walkable communities. I'm not interested in office unless it's a part of a larger thing.\n\nEventually I would like to start a real estate development firm and I fortunately have substantial backing from family investments when I'm prepared. It's hard not sounding like an asshole saying that, but I'm trying to get honest career advice.\n\n&gt;I think schooling has little bearing on your progression or ability to jump rungs of the ladder any more quickly in the construction side.  It seems like it might be more important in the capital markets side however.  - curious what market are you in?\n\nI'm in Denver", "replies": [{"id": "hrp0ea3", "text": "Sorry, I can't really help you with investment side and career progression but I think jumping to PM is a stretch for any new grad unless they have come from 2 - 3 years in industry already.  Graduate fast track perhaps to Asst. PM but you are likely on that rung for a year or two (depending on the structure/ ladder of the firm you go into - assuming the likes of CBRE and JLL or CW) .\n\nAt mid-size firms you will learn a lot fast, on deals that are a lot closer in terms of capital to what you will start out developing yourself, and will likely have more exposure to both the money side and construction side as those firms are typically leaner and will spread you around.\n\nI don't know, maybe your family have billions and will give you full authority to deploy as you see fit....but you should be in development at least 10 years before going out on your own.  Development cycles are long and you may not see the volume needed to gain the experience before then to open your own shop - assuming you are thinking $50M+ deals, and not mom &amp; pop development.    \n\nWhen hunting for your first move out of college - ask about their early stage development, how they support it, who would you be working under, and what their expertise is.  Mixed use and industrial is booming right now of course - but the analytics, deal structuring, development and commercial issues on mixed use are significantly more complex than industrial so whatever you learn will be easily transferrable across.  I think you'd have a tough time going the other direction.  Just my 2c\n\nGood luck.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hromqab", "text": "I\u2019m pretty sure the Project Manager roles for CBRE and the like are typically just managing tenant improvement projects (interior build outs). I think this is relevant experience, but not the best. \n\nI think you\u2019re setting your sights too low man. You have a law degree and will soon have an MSRED. You should be applying for Associate to maybe even VP roles at small to medium sized developers.", "replies": [{"id": "hrqdcy1", "text": "This is good advice. TI work is really the bottom of the barrel for PM work. I\u2019d steer clear of that rat race unless it\u2019s the only job you can find in your area.", "replies": [{"id": "hrqjxvr", "text": "CRE SL_UT (awesome name, btw) is correct about managing interior build-outs and about trying to work for a developer.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "ibsqvwl", "text": "In what sense is it bottom of the barrel work? I have been offered a job at cbre as a project manager, so curious to learn more!!", "replies": [{"id": "ibvn0ew", "text": "Maybe I was a little hard in my prior comment. Mainly I\u2019m not a fan of TI work as it\u2019s often limited work, with limited budgets, and very repetitive. You won\u2019t get exposed to a full design and construction process as you are normally only dealing with interior renovations.  Personally I\u2019d much rather be on a project which is dealing with a more comprehensive design and construction scope with more complexity.", "replies": [{"id": "ibvnt8m", "text": "Got it. Thanks for explaining more. I will be more on the tech side of things doing network deployment and such, so it is probably a good fit for my purposes. Got a little bit nervous with your comment though :)", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hrqd328", "text": "I\u2019ve been on CRE PM role for a number of years now and am involved in hiring for our group. A few thoughts\u2026\n\n1. Assuming you want to get into PM to learn technical development experience then I would tell you to look either for a role that will give you as much exposure as possible.\n\n2. Early in your career for PM you should be focusing on technical skills and competence. I would not worry too much about asset class yet. Once your 5+ year in you can always move to a more specific role or if you like where you are keep at it. \n\n3. It\u2019s a great market to be an employee right now. We are a smaller boutique firm but it\u2019s nearly impossible for us to manage recruitment with the limited supply of personnel both entry level and hire end and the substantial increase in volume which appears to be heading to the industry for 2022+. \n\nHappy to chat further if you have any questions or comments. Shoot me a note.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hrrgwzc", "text": "I am a Sr Talent Acquisition Manager at a global integrated developer. I\u2019d be happy to look at a resume and let you know what I think. But it sounds like you are probably more than qualified to be applying for Associate level roles at mid size to large developers.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hs2pd4m", "text": "Go for a development analyst or associate role and work towards a development manager.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]