Real Estate Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Real Estate Manager jobs are open to F-1 OPT students with degrees in real estate, business administration, finance, or urban planning. Your OPT work authorization covers full-time property management, asset management, and leasing roles. STEM OPT extension may apply if your degree program qualifies.
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Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure.
Remote applicants will be considered.
Job Summary
Core & Main is immediately seeking an experienced Real Estate Manager to support our real estate expansion strategy (Greenfields) and high volume of lease related transactions across the US.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing a large volume of leasing transactions with specific experience in industrial warehouse and industrial outside storage (IOS) assets. Technical knowledge, speed, adaptability, and a field-first mentality are paramount.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate market strategy and lead site selection process for projects in assigned territory
- Manage high volume deal flow, negotiating leases, purchases, and build-to-suits under demanding timeframes for Greenfields, in-fill growth, relocations, renewals and other lease-related agreements.
- Work with internal and external legal counsel in preparing and reviewing real estate related legal documents, managing review and execution in an efficient and timely manner.
- Effectively communicate expectations, requirements, and status of deals to key business partners – both internal and external.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external cross functional partners throughout the lifecycle of the real estate deal.
- Ensure all deals flow through required approval processes.
- Manage critical lease dates and portfolio strategy for assigned territory.
- Provide real estate thought leadership to field leadership partners in assigned territory.
- Exercise high level of critical thinking and problem solving when solutioning for branch operation needs as it pertains to Real Estate.
- Foster relationships within the Real Estate development community (i.e. Landlords, Developers)
- Maintain an evolving working knowledge of economic factors impacting industrial real estate
This list is meant to be representative of key responsibilities and in no way is meant to be comprehensive.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in relevant area of study (business, real estate, finance, economics)
- 3-5+ years of corporate real estate transaction experience within a similar multi-site operating company or real estate services firm focused on a high velocity of annual transactions in multiple states/regions
- Demonstrated skills in the areas of lease and contract negotiations with specific experience in ground-up developments and Build to Suit (BTS) projects.
- Working knowledge on crafting LOIs, understanding lease clauses and their impact to the organization from a legal/risk perspective and a lease administration perspective.
- Working knowledge on standard real estate calculations and underwriting principles (i.e., amortizations/straight-lines, cap rates)
- Proficiency with real estate principles as well as legal terminology and provisions in standard commercial leases
- Exceptional ability to gather, analyze and present demographic and financial data in executive level reports
- Ability to discern and drive the best financial outcome, including assessment of lease options, and evaluation of relocation opportunities
- Ability to carry out multiple assignments concurrently and manage tight timelines
- Excellent planning, organization, and time management skills; Effective resource management and project management skills
- Strong ability to identify and solve ambiguous problems
- Proven self-starter who sets aggressive goals and consistently gets results
- Proficient with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Continued focus on learning and growth within the RE industry, including conference participation and networking.
This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.
Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.
None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.

Based in St. Louis, Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure™ with local service, nationwide®. As a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, Core & Main provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. With over 370 locations across the U.S., the company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. Core & Main’s 5,700 associates are committed to helping their communities thrive with safe and reliable infrastructure.
Remote applicants will be considered.
Job Summary
Core & Main is immediately seeking an experienced Real Estate Manager to support our real estate expansion strategy (Greenfields) and high volume of lease related transactions across the US.
The ideal candidate will have experience managing a large volume of leasing transactions with specific experience in industrial warehouse and industrial outside storage (IOS) assets. Technical knowledge, speed, adaptability, and a field-first mentality are paramount.
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate market strategy and lead site selection process for projects in assigned territory
- Manage high volume deal flow, negotiating leases, purchases, and build-to-suits under demanding timeframes for Greenfields, in-fill growth, relocations, renewals and other lease-related agreements.
- Work with internal and external legal counsel in preparing and reviewing real estate related legal documents, managing review and execution in an efficient and timely manner.
- Effectively communicate expectations, requirements, and status of deals to key business partners – both internal and external.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external cross functional partners throughout the lifecycle of the real estate deal.
- Ensure all deals flow through required approval processes.
- Manage critical lease dates and portfolio strategy for assigned territory.
- Provide real estate thought leadership to field leadership partners in assigned territory.
- Exercise high level of critical thinking and problem solving when solutioning for branch operation needs as it pertains to Real Estate.
- Foster relationships within the Real Estate development community (i.e. Landlords, Developers)
- Maintain an evolving working knowledge of economic factors impacting industrial real estate
This list is meant to be representative of key responsibilities and in no way is meant to be comprehensive.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in relevant area of study (business, real estate, finance, economics)
- 3-5+ years of corporate real estate transaction experience within a similar multi-site operating company or real estate services firm focused on a high velocity of annual transactions in multiple states/regions
- Demonstrated skills in the areas of lease and contract negotiations with specific experience in ground-up developments and Build to Suit (BTS) projects.
- Working knowledge on crafting LOIs, understanding lease clauses and their impact to the organization from a legal/risk perspective and a lease administration perspective.
- Working knowledge on standard real estate calculations and underwriting principles (i.e., amortizations/straight-lines, cap rates)
- Proficiency with real estate principles as well as legal terminology and provisions in standard commercial leases
- Exceptional ability to gather, analyze and present demographic and financial data in executive level reports
- Ability to discern and drive the best financial outcome, including assessment of lease options, and evaluation of relocation opportunities
- Ability to carry out multiple assignments concurrently and manage tight timelines
- Excellent planning, organization, and time management skills; Effective resource management and project management skills
- Strong ability to identify and solve ambiguous problems
- Proven self-starter who sets aggressive goals and consistently gets results
- Proficient with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Continued focus on learning and growth within the RE industry, including conference participation and networking.
This information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this role. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this role. This description supersedes any previous or undated descriptions for this role. Management retains the right to add or change the duties of the position at any time.
Core & Main is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment at Core & Main is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Core & Main does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship, or any other basis protected by law.
None of the questions in this application are intended to elicit information regarding any protected characteristics, nor imply any limitation, illegal preferences or discrimination based upon non-job-related information or protected characteristics.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Real Estate Manager
Target property management firms, not just brokerages
Large property management companies and real estate investment trusts sponsor more consistently than small brokerages. Firms managing commercial or institutional portfolios are more likely to have HR infrastructure to support OPT and H-1B sponsorship.
Frame your degree as a specialty occupation asset
Real Estate Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations when a bachelor's degree in a related field is required. Highlight your degree in real estate, finance, or business administration when applying to strengthen your work authorization position.
Start your job search at least 90 days before OPT ends
Real estate hiring timelines can stretch four to eight weeks. Starting early gives you room to complete interviews, negotiate offers, and file any necessary H-1B or extension paperwork before your current authorization expires.
Ask about sponsorship before the final interview round
Bring up work authorization early in the process, not after an offer. Ask whether the company has sponsored visas before and whether their legal team handles immigration. This saves time and avoids late-stage rejections.
Emphasize asset management and financial analysis skills
Real estate employers who sponsor visas typically hire for analytical roles. Candidates with experience in financial modeling, NOI analysis, or portfolio reporting are easier to justify as specialty occupation hires to USCIS.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly real estate employers
Browse Real Estate Manager listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have sponsored visas before. Filtering by sponsorship history saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late that a company does not sponsor.
Real Estate Manager jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Real Estate Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in real estate, business administration, finance, or a related field. Roles focused on asset management, property operations, or portfolio analysis typically meet USCIS specialty occupation criteria. Roles where any general degree satisfies the requirement may face more scrutiny during petitioning.
Can I work as a Real Estate Manager on OPT without a real estate license?
It depends on the specific role. Property management and asset management positions at institutional firms generally do not require a real estate license. Roles involving direct brokerage transactions or representing clients in property sales usually do require state licensure. Review each job description carefully and check your state's licensing requirements before applying.
Is a Real Estate Manager job eligible for a STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is from a STEM-designated program. Real estate and urban planning degrees are not typically STEM-designated, but degrees in finance, management information systems, or data analytics may qualify. Check your school's STEM OPT eligibility list with your DSO and confirm your degree's CIP code qualifies before assuming the 24-month extension applies.
Where can I find Real Estate Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the most direct option. The platform lists Real Estate Manager roles from employers with a demonstrated history of sponsoring international candidates, so you are not spending time applying to companies that will decline once they learn your authorization status. Filtering by visa sponsorship availability is built into the search.
How do I explain my OPT work authorization to a real estate employer who has never hired an international student?
Keep it straightforward. Explain that OPT is a federal work authorization allowing you to work full-time in your field of study for up to 12 months, with no cost or action required from the employer during that period. Mention that transitioning to H-1B sponsorship later involves an immigration attorney and standard government fees, and that many real estate firms have done it before.
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