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Description

Title: Senior Real Estate Project Manager

Employee Status: Full Time - Exempt

Salary: Grade 6

Starting range of $95,000 – $108,000 | Chicago | Detroit | Milwaukee | St. Louis

Reports to: Lead Project Manager

Department: Real Estate Solutions

Location: Chicago, IL

Hybrid Remote: In office: T/W | Remote: M/Th/F

Department Function: Facilities expertise is a critical resource that’s often beyond the reach of nonprofits serving communities with limited resources. IFF works hard to change that. For more than 25 years, IFF has specialized in creative Real Estate Solutions (RES) that help nonprofits achieve their growth goals and best serve their communities. IFF’s clients include human services agencies, supportive housing providers, schools, health clinics, arts organizations, and community centers. RES takes the time to understand the nonprofit leadership’s vision and become their trusted advisor when it comes to making real estate decisions with more confidence. RES also works closely with municipalities and community-serving groups to help provide solutions to nonprofits in under-resourced communities. Because the needs of nonprofits are unique, RES has developed a specialized team of real estate specialists to support nonprofits in every step of the way, from the early stages of a project to feasibility analysis, facility condition assessments, site search and due diligence for property acquisition, all the way through construction and project closeout. RES also collaborates internally across departments to build nonprofit capacity in targeted sectors and through programmatic initiatives. RES is part of IFF’s Core Business Solutions which is a cross-cutting team that sits at the nexus of nonprofits, communities, and IFF technical knowledge. The group provides thought leadership and expertise to drive corporate strategy across markets. The primary business units in Core Business Solutions are Capital Solutions, Real Estate Solutions, Community Development Solutions, Home First, Legal and Compliance.

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.

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 Senior Real Estate Project Manager (i.e. Senior Project Manager) performs work associated with the analysis, evaluation and planning of client-driven facility projects while supporting the work of departmental leadership and other RES staff as necessary to further the mission of both IFF and our clients.

A successful candidate demonstrates the following key attributes of the position:

• Ability to work independently and productively in a dynamic work environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong group facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Proven adaptability, flexibility, creativity, and curiosity.
• Aptitude and desire for mentoring and training.
• Demonstrated commitment to client satisfaction.

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.

Requirements

Core Position Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plans, manages, and executes real estate consulting or development projects as project team lead, as well as provides support as project team member on large and/or complex projects. Manages and supports a variety of projects concurrently.

2. As a project team leader, coordinates all aspects of project management, including as a trusted advisor to a diverse portfolio of clients. Specific responsibilities include:

• Develops and analyzes client facility space needs, budgets, financing scenarios, and occupancy cost projections. High-level evaluation of client’s ability to take on debt for a project and overall financial ability to own and/or lease and manage real estate.
• Coordinates and participates in site visits with team members performing facility assessments and evaluations of potential buildings and vacant land for projects.
• Collaborates with an owner’s representative on project due diligence work, including review of entitlements, hiring architects, contractors, and other external vendors, securing construction estimates, and creating project budgets.
• Prepares and delivers written reports, electronic presentations, and analyses as necessary for clients, including real estate project feasibility reports, final project summary reports and other consulting reports.
• Monitors the status of consulting projects against their plan, schedule, and budget. Identify actual or potential concerns or delays and facilitate and guide solutions to ensure that the projects are completed as planned or adjusted accordingly in agreement with the client.
• As project lead, collaborate with other team members, manage deadlines for completion, track budget and schedule, and provide preliminary review as applicable.
• Keeps the client and IFF team members apprised of progress through regular written and verbal updates, presentations, and meetings.
• Solicits bids from various real estate professionals and vendors for work on projects. Evaluate and offer input to the client to assist them in making decisions on bids and negotiating terms of work.

3. Provides formal training, coaching, and technical assistance for current and prospective nonprofit organizations to assist with their understanding, evaluating, accessing, and structuring facilities and finance options, including the role of CDFI financing.

4. Represents RES at meetings, presentations and events, including with clients and IFF team members.

5. Periodically supports RES Market Leader with business development activities.

6. Participates in department knowledge sharing and training efforts by making presentations, conducting research, and participating on committees in support of department performance goals.

7. Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies. Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings.

8. Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures

1. Commits to accurate and thoughtful completion of assigned projects according to goals set for each project, project budget and schedule, and RES’s policies and procedures, achieving the highest quality of work product for both internal and external clients.

2. Builds and maintains effective working relationships and a superior level of satisfaction with clients, IFF colleagues, architects, contractors, partners, team members, and others.

3. Communicates clearly in a well- organized, comprehensive, and persuasive manner.

4. Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.

5. Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.

6. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.

7. Approaches work with a growth mindset, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement through effort, learning and persistence.

8. Approaches work with passion, curiosity and inquisitiveness, proactively seeks solutions to identified issues and challenges relating to assigned projects and departmental processes.

Position Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in urban planning, community and economic development, real estate development, architecture, public policy, or similar. Additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Previous Experience: At least five years of experience in applicable fields required.

Special Knowledge & Skills:

1. Direct experience with real estate development projects.

2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of community development practices and terminology.

3. Direct project management experience with the demonstrate ability to plan and implement multiple complex projects simultaneously.

4. Experience with client management and consulting work building trusted client relationships based on client project goals. Ability to understand and translate client project goals into project scope and deliverables.

5. Strong strategic and analytical skills and background, with an emphasis on finance and lending.

6. Knowledge of nonprofit businesses, including operations, governance, and financial management.

Additional Requirements:

Local and regional travel is required. The Senior Project Manager will also travel to the Chicago corporate office and potentially and periodically to other IFF offices to support the staff working in those markets. The Senior Project Manager will visit and inspect abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and construction project sites.

Occasional early start or extended hours and evening and weekend work may be required.

Standard Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution

Life Insurance

Short and long term disability

Work-Life Balance Benefits:

Hybrid workplace

Summer Fridays

Employee Development Benefits:

Professional development stipend

Mentorship program

Miscellaneous:

Wellness programs

Employee assistance

Referral Bonuses

IFF does not offer the following:

Relocation package

100% remote

Provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above? Studies have shown that marginalized communities

- such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.

Application Instructions: Please visit the Careers section of our website to apply online. Both a resume and cover letter are required.

IFF values equity, diversity, and inclusion as part of its mission to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. IFF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.