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Associates (2 positions) - SB Friedman Development Advisors

Who: SB Friedman Development Advisors is a development consulting firm with a mission to guide and enable our clients to create high-quality places through the practice of real estate economics, development finance and urban planning. We assist in the planning and implementation of complex public-private real estate development projects. We work closely with our clients to evaluate development potential and financial and business impacts; project market and financial feasibility; identify innovative public-private development solutions; and prepare implementable development strategies. The firm works nationally, with a focus on the Midwest. Clients include various cities, suburbs, metro planning organizations and other public bodies, not-for-profit institutions, and private developers.

What: SB Friedman is seeking two Associates to work with our growing community development finance team and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) practice to support innovative, impact-driven development projects nationwide. These positions will specialize in assignments that focus on underwriting, structuring, and closing financing on high-impact community development projects in low-income communities. Located in Chicago’s Loop, we are a mission-driven advisor specializing in public-private partnerships and development projects that support community revitalization, placemaking and social equity.
Key responsibilities:
Associate – Community Development Finance
  • Assisting high-impact projects access flexible, below-market financing tools 
  • Reviewing potential projects that could benefit from NMTC financing and other financing tools and maintaining pipeline reports 
  • Underwriting projects/organizations and preparing underwriting memos
  • Structuring complex financial transactions 
  • Drafting and reviewing term sheets and letters of interest for NMTC commitments and third-party funding 
  • Supporting efficient closings through coordination with internal and external parties, including attorneys, accountants, funders, and project sponsors 
  • Review third-party reports and documentation, including, but not limited to, insurance certificates, appraisals/broker opinions of value, environmental reports, financial projections, prior expenditure documentation, settlement statements, closing transfer memos, etc. 
  • Communicating and building relationships with mission-driven clients, borrowers, and investors 
Associate – Community Impact Assessment
  • Analyze and synthesize disparate data sources and project information into compelling narratives to attract impact-focused financing 
  • Prepare competitive NMTC applications for submittal to U.S. Treasury 
  • Assess how specific projects address community needs through analysis of primary and third-party data sources 
  • Research and document the anticipated impacts of projects through interviews, site visits, and review of reports, questionnaires, and data sets
  • Support annual community impact surveying of projects to monitor and measure realized impacts of projects 
  • Develop customized community benefits agreements between lenders/investors and project sponsors
Qualifications:
Community Development Finance Associate:
  • A Master’s degree in Urban Planning/Economic Development, Real Estate, Business Administration, or a related field 
  • 3+ years of relevant professional experience 
  • Demonstrated experience in related fields, such tax credit finance, real estate financial analysis, or real estate development. 
Community Impact Assessment Associate:
Minimum
  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Urban Planning, or a related field 
  • 1+ year relevant professional experience 
  • Exceptional writing skills 
  • Quantitative analysis skills, particularly using Microsoft Excel 
  • Strength in oral communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Detail orientation and accuracy 
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines 
  • Commitment to community revitalization, economic development and sustainability 
Preferred
  • Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Economic Development, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field 
  • 3+ years of relevant professional experience 
  • Demonstrated experience in related fields such as policy research, impact assessment, grant writing, or community revitalization. 

Find the full job postings and apply:
Associate – Community Development Finance
Associate – Community Impact Assessment