Research Associate

Location: Chicago, IL

Type: Full-Time Position

Category: Community/Economic Development, Development Finance, Economics/Finance Research

Experience: 0 - 2 years

SB Friedman is seeking early career professionals to join our growing economic development and real estate advisory team in Chicago. Our ideal candidates are creative, detail-oriented and analytical, and are seeking to make positive impacts on communities and the built environment across the country.

OUR FIRM

Our team works at the intersection of real estate economics, development finance and urban planning. We assist our clients with establishing plans, strategies, partnerships and tools to create equitable, economically resilient and well-designed communities. We work in a variety of places and contexts – which keeps us excited and engaged – with a key commonality being that we collaborate with our clients to address complex land use and development issues. We work nationally, with much of our projects located in the Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Mountain West regions. Our work environment is highly collaborative, and we fund and provide time for training and professional development activities.

THE ROLE

Research Associates are integral parts of our project teams, having ownership over various analyses and collaborating closely with project directors, managers, team members and clients. The ideal candidate for this position is a curious critical thinker that enjoys analyzing quantitative data. The successful candidate will be able to sift, organize, analyze and synthesize various data in a clear and timely manner, ask thoughtful questions, and draw reasonable conclusions from the analysis.

The day-to-day work includes:

  • Gathering and analyzing geospatial, demographic, market and property characteristic data
  • Organizing and identifying inconsistencies in data
  • Working closely with the project team to conduct preliminary data analyses
  • Developing data visualizations and graphics to assist in communicating findings
  • Refining and improving data visualization workflows

The Research Associate position presents an opportunity to build a variety of professional and analytical skill sets.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for candidates that:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, economics, public policy or a similar field
  • Demonstrate an interest in data-driven analysis and market-based urban planning, public-private partnerships, community and economic development, and/or related topics
  • Have strong quantitative analysis skills, particularly using Microsoft Excel, and exposure to GIS (ArcGIS Pro, Esri Business Analyst, and/or QGIS)
  • Are detail-oriented and focused on accuracy
  • Demonstrate strength in oral communication and interpersonal skills

All Research Associates must be willing to obtain a driver's license within six months of start.

OTHER DETAILS

We are focused on the professional success of our employees and offer the following:

  • Expected base salary for this position ranges from $60,000 to $65,000. Actual salaries may vary based on several factors, such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience.
  • Performance-based bonus compensation
  • Generous benefits package, including: 100% company-paid health and dental insurance premiums, 401(k) with employer contribution, flexible spending programs for health and childcare expenses, pre-tax transit benefits, employer-sponsored bikeshare membership, free membership to onsite building gym, paid vacation time, paid sick time, paid parental leave, 11 paid holidays with the ability to float holidays, and paid time off (office closure) between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
  • Hybrid in-office/remote work policy
  • Paid membership in a professional organization (or other professional development)
  • Firm-wide volunteering events in metro Chicago
  • Regular peer-delivered "brown bag" sessions on topics of professional interest
  • Monthly happy hours and staff get-togethers

All applicants will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, height, weight, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, pregnancy, marital status, familial status or responsibilities, parental status, cultural differences, physical appearance, arrest or conviction record, political beliefs, partisan considerations, military status, matriculation, credit information, or any other protected classification under federal, state or local law. To view our firm's Civil Rights Compliance and Affirmative Action Plan, please contact us at info@sbfriedman.com.

TO APPLY

Please email the following to Jenny Kleiman Dowd, Administrative Director at jobs@sbfriedman.com with "Research Associate Position" in the subject line.

  • Cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications for this role
  • Resume
  • Written sample of your professional or academic work

Writing samples should be primarily authored by the applicant; if a work product prepared as part of a team is submitted, clearly indicate the responsibilities and contributions of the applicant. Incomplete submittals or submittals in other formats may not be considered or reviewed.