Associate; Planning & Development Advisory

If you're ready to manage complex planning engagements, guide clients through structured decision-making, and confidently manage processes, projects, and people, this role offers that opportunity. Named the #17 fastest-growing AEC firm in the U.S. and Canada by Zweig Group's Hot Firm Awards, B&D is entering an exciting period of growth—creating new opportunities for ambitious professionals to take on meaningful work and accelerate their careers.

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) leads the planning, development, and management of the places that shape and strengthen communities—where people live, learn, work, and play. B&D partners with institutions, municipalities, and organizations to shape and deliver complex real estate and capital projects, providing strategic insight and end-to-end advisory services across the full project lifecycle.

B&D recently joined forces with Project Management Advisors, bringing together two nationally recognized leaders in program management and real estate advisory services. Together, the combined firm offers expanded capabilities across industries and throughout the full project lifecycle—from early-stage strategy and planning through execution and beyond.

This associate will lead complex planning and development advisory engagements for higher education and mission-driven institutions. This is a client-facing leadership role responsible for guiding institutions through strategic decisions that shape campus housing, recreation facilities, student unions, mixed-use developments, and other transformative assets.

You will manage projects from analysis through implementation strategy, directing internal teams, advising institutional leaders, and ensuring deliverables reflect both analytical rigor and practical execution.

Located in Atlanta, GA on a hybrid basis, 2-3 days in office per week.

• Lead multiple comprehensive planning and development advisory projects
• Serve as the primary client contact and trusted advisor
• Oversee research, market analysis, financial modeling, space planning, and stakeholder engagement efforts
• Synthesize analytics into clear, implementable recommendations
• Direct and mentor analysts, elevating the quality of their thinking and deliverables
• Manage scope, pricing, invoicing, and overall project financial performance
• Ensure quality control, documentation integrity, and client satisfaction
• Contribute to business development efforts, including relationship cultivation and new opportunity identification
• Strengthen internal analytical tools, models, and methodologies

• Operate with ownership and accountability across engagements
• Guide clients through ambiguity with clarity and structure
• Develop analysts into thoughtful advisors, not task executors
• Maintain disciplined project management while encouraging strong analytical exploration

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, architecture, finance, economics, construction management, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 5+ years of experience managing complex projects in planning, development, consulting, or real estate advisory
• Strong understanding of development economics, financial modeling, and capital planning
• Proven ability to manage multiple engagements simultaneously
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Project
• Strong written, presentation, and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring ability
• Commitment to ethical practice and client service excellence
• Willingness to travel as required

• You balance analytical depth with practical implementation.
• You bring intellectual rigor to real estate and institutional strategy.
• You are comfortable advising senior stakeholders.
• You take pride in developing others while continuing to elevate your own professional maturity.

You exercise sound judgment, financial fluency, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable direction.

Ultimately, if you are looking for a leadership role where strategy, development economics, and institutional mission intersect, we welcome the conversation!

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