Part-Time AI Transformation Associate – Graduate Student Position

Overview

Starwood Capital Group is one of the world's leading real assets and alternatives investment firms. Founded in 1991 by Barry Sternlicht, the firm manages approximately $125 billion in assets across a global portfolio spanning residential, hospitality, office, retail, industrial, and energy infrastructure. With 17 offices worldwide and investment strategies ranging from opportunistic equity to credit and digital infrastructure, Starwood has established itself as a major force in global real estate and alternative investments.

Starwood is seeking technically capable, AI-fluent graduate students to join us as AI Enablers—embedded partners who will work directly with teams across the firm to accelerate AI adoption.

In this role, you ll sit alongside professionals in our various business units, learn their critical workflows, and identify opportunities to leverage AI tools in practical, high-impact ways. Your goal is to help Starwood employees—from analysts to executives—become more effective users of AI in their daily work.

This is a hands-on role that blends technical proficiency with strong interpersonal skills. You ll need to understand finance and real estate concepts well enough to speak credibly with investment professionals, while also being able to translate AI capabilities into tangible workflow improvements.

• Partner with team members across acquisitions, asset management, capital markets, and corporate functions to understand existing workflows
• Identify and implement AI-driven solutions that improve efficiency, analysis, and decision-making
• Serve as a resource and coach for employees looking to integrate AI tools into their work
• Document use cases and best practices to support firm-wide AI adoption
• Collaborate with leadership on strategic AI initiatives

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program (MBA, MS in Finance, Real Estate, Business Analytics, Data Science, or related field)
• Minimum 2 years of prior work experience
• Hands-on proficiency with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, automation platforms)
• Strong interest in real estate, finance, or private equity—prior experience in these areas is a plus but not required
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, open-minded approach
• Comfortable working with colleagues at all levels, from junior team members to senior executives
• Available to work on-site in our New York offices
• Authorized to work in the US

• Hours:
  
  10–20 hours per week
• Start Date:
  
  Immediate
• Duration: 3 months (flexible/negotiable)
• Must be an active graduate student

This position is perfect for candidates who:

• Have a background in real estate, finance, or private equity and are looking to develop technical expertise in AI and emerging technologies
• Come from a technical or analytical background and want meaningful exposure to how a leading global investment firm operates

Beyond the career positioning, you ll get:

• Direct exposure to a leading global real estate investment firm
• Opportunity to work across multiple business units and asset classes
• Daily interaction with professionals at all levels of the organization
• Potential pathway to full-time employment with the firm