Title: Development Associate

Employee Status: Full Time Exempt

Salary: Grade 2. This salary grade starts at $53,400.

Reports to: Vice-President, Community Development Solutions

Department: Community Development Solutions

Location: Chicago, IL

Department Function: The Community Development Solutions (CDS) team conceptualizes, evaluates,

Designs, and implements equitable community development projects in key metropolitan areas in the Midwest. The team operates as a real estate developer, consultant, and in some cases, owner. The team leads IFF’s work in comprehensive place-based initiatives and other special projects.

The Organization

IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function:

The Development Associate is an active team member who supports real estate projects conceptualized and managed by the CDS team. Often working on multiple projects simultaneously, the Development Associate supports the work of the CDS team by participating in project-related meetings, completing project-specific tasks, assisting with internal department planning, and conducting recurring administrative tasks. This position provides an opportunity to participate and build an understanding in all phases of the real estate development process and day-to-day project management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists in the coordination of all aspects of project management and meeting of real estate project goals and milestones as defined by the CDS team.

• Coordinates and helps to facilitate the community engagement processes.
• Retains and assembles predevelopment due diligence activities for buildings and land (survey, environmental reports, appraisals, construction estimates, etc).
• Collaborates in the packaging of project funding applications, the gathering and tracking of project-specific data, and updating project summaries.
• Willing to take direction from team members and keep them appraised of progress through regular check-ins, utilizing team collaboration.

2. Utilizes analytical and strategic skills; ability to plan, manage and implement multiple and complex projects; and ability to understand and conceptualize real estate project goals.

• Manages internal invoicing and payment tracking process, and ongoing maintenance of predevelopment budgets across projects.
• Assists in closing due diligence.
• Assists in construction draw (pay application) process, working with lenders, partners, contractors, and title company.

3. Communicates with project funders, municipalities, and stakeholders to advance projects and/or determine project viability.

4. Provides organizational support, document control, and note taking for development projects.

5. Demonstrates independent learning and interest in real estate development projects and processes.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures:

• Successful completion of assigned workstreams according to goals set for each project, project budget and schedule, and CDS policies and procedures.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues and obtains a high level of colleague satisfaction with respect to work performed.
• Internal and external meetings facilitated in an organized way and are meaningful to the participants. Outcomes of these meetings are analyzed and well (re)presented.
• Written and oral presentations are clear, well organized, comprehensive, and persuasive. Communicates effectively with range of diverse audiences across the Midwest. Appropriate supporting materials and visual aids are well utilized and enhance presentations.
• Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing by encouraging open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
• Models personal accountability that promotes ownership of work performed and a willingness to grow and learn.
• Demonstrates an ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in urban planning or studies, architecture, engineering or finance. A demonstrated interest in real estate development and project management is acceptable equivalent to specific degree above.

Previous Experience: 1-2 years experience working in a real estate development and/or non-profit environment preferred.

Additional Requirements: General knowledge of real estate development projects and process, understanding and interest in finance, affordable housing programs and/or community development preferred. Local and regional travel may be required. The Development Associate will visit construction sites, at times to include abandoned buildings and vacant lots. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

IFF does not offer relocation packages; must be authorized to work in the United States; IFF does not offer sponsorship. IFF, currently, works in a hybrid model; in office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and three days working from home.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome are a real thing. This can get in the way of meeting incredible candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you!

Application Instructions: Please visit our Careers section of our website to apply online. A resume is required and a cover letter is greatly appreciated.