Municipal Advisor - Ehlers & Associates - Chicago, IL

Municipal Advisor 

Ehlers & Associates

Chicago, IL

Since 1955, Ehlers has designed financial solutions to help counties, municipalities, townships, school districts and other local government units build better communities. We are experts in financing public sector projects including schools, civic buildings, water & sewer systems, parks, roadway construction and more.

Community leaders rely on us for our debt issuance, economic development & redevelopment and financial planning services which promote economic development and civic pride.  As a Municipal Advisor, you will partner with clients and our internal team of experts to facilitate financial planning solutions for our clients.

Key Result Areas and Functions:

• Develop public finance solutions for the consideration by local, county, state, school district or other government bodies that address the needs of the community. Responsibilities include researching sources and types of financing, analyzing financial and economic data, preparing computer planning models and understanding the implications of applying alternatives. Organize and present information in such a manner that it is understood by a variety of audiences. 
• Structure bond issues to meet the capital finance needs of client. Includes understanding statutory criteria governing the structuring and issuance of debt, working knowledge of federal regulations affecting tax-exempt and taxable municipal debt, understanding market and rating considerations for issuing bonds. 
• Present financial solutions to the decision making bodies or individuals for approval. 
• Address economic development and redevelopment needs for communities. Includes understanding the rules for use of tax increment financing, tax abatement and grants available and evaluating alternatives for risks. 
• Oversee the financing process which is the implementation of communities’ financial solutions 
• Prepare and deliver presentations at seminars, conferences and other meetings 
• Market Ehlers services to clients and prospective clients. Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, other professionals and public officials to identify possible opportunities for the company. 
• Work with team members to create annual business development plan. 
• Performs other duties as required to fulfill the mission of the company. 

Minimum Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in related Public Finance field or equivalent experience. 
• 2+ years previous applicable work experience preferred. Salary will be commensurate with experience. 
• Must be able to become certified as a Municipal Advisor Representative (Series 50) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thoroughly understands the field of municipal financing, bond issuance and tax systems. Is able to explain to others. 
• Highly skilled at analysis of technical data and able to develop creative solutions to clients' problems. Ability to perform math functions quickly with a high degree of accuracy. Understand algebraic functions and solve for unknown factors. 
• Must be able to design and modify complex spreadsheets. 
• Demonstrates well developed interpersonal skills that create and maintain positive relationships with employees and clients. Provides exemplary customer service to clients and prospects.
• Uses clear and concise written and oral communication skills to exchange information in person and on the phone. Ability to explain complex concepts and modify communication style to fit the needs of the audience.
• Comfortable and confident when making presentations at public meetings or at educational seminars. 
• Able to work, actively contribute and share ideas in a team environment to achieve individual, team and company goals. 
• Must be able to recognize issues and work with team to effectively solve problems. 
• Ability to understand relationships between budgets and actual performance of an enterprise fund and sensitivity analysis required for financial projects. 
• Must be proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, databases and the Internet. 
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Able to proof and edit documents and communications so they are clear and grammatically correct. 
• Able to manage multiple work activities and uneven workloads in a stressful environment. Prioritizes tasks and organizes work so that deadlines are met and essential work is completed.
• Able to proactively ask questions and request guidance or assistance. Provide assistance as needed. 
• Able to plan and implement work requirements independently. 
• Seeks continuous opportunities to market Ehlers services. 
• Recognizes and pursues opportunities for professional development for self and team. 

Physical Demands of the Position:

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to drive to client meetings. 
• May need to operate and transport presentation equipment such as overhead projectors, flip charts, etc. and lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.

Ehlers & Associates is an Employee Owned company that offers an excellent salary, rich benefit plan and a great working environment!

To learn more about Ehlers & Associates or about this opportunity go to www.ehlers-inc.com or call Jarrin at 651-697-8500.

Ehlers & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Financial Specialist - Ehlers & Assoc. - Pewaukee, WI

Financial Specialist 

Ehlers & Associates

Pewaukee, WI

Since 1955, Ehlers has designed financial solutions to help counties, municipalities, towns, school districts and other local government units build better communities. We are experts in financing public sector projects including schools, civic buildings, water & sewer systems, parks, roadway construction and more.

Community leaders rely on us for our debt issuance, economic development & redevelopment and financial planning services which promote economic development and civic pride.

The Purpose of this position is to: assist clients with evaluating and responding to developer requests for public investment in real estate development and redevelopment projects; advise clients as to the necessity or reasonableness of the developer request and assists client with developer negotiations; work with the client’s primary Municipal Advisor to design and implement financial solutions that achieve the client’s objectives for participation in development and redevelopment projects.

Key Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Review developer’s submittal and financial data, including but not limited to sources and uses of funds, construction and financing costs, annual revenues and expenses, proforma and client revenues from the proposed project that may support financing the developer’s gap.
• Prepare project pro formas with and without client financial assistance. Review the developer’s numbers and methodology as compared to industry and market standards. Prepare alternate scenarios to provide the client a reasonable understanding of the developer’s anticipated returns and risks to the client.
• Participate with the client negotiating team in developer negotiations to create or review term sheets, development or redevelopment agreements, and financing options. Based on the financial analyses, make recommendations to the client on the amount, type, and timing of incentives or assistance to the developers and the use of “Look Back” provisions in development agreements, so that if the project is more successful than anticipated, the developer returns funds to the client.
• Address economic development and redevelopment needs for communities. Includes understanding local government developing process and regulations and the rules for use of tax increment financing, tax abatement, housing tax credits, historic tax credits and grants available while evaluating alternatives for risks. 
• Prepare and present project overview and proposed solutions to elected public officials and staff for consideration and approval. 
• Prepare and deliver presentations at seminars, conferences and other meetings as needed.
• Market Ehlers services to clients and prospective clients. Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, other professionals and public officials to identify possible opportunities for the company.
• Work with team members to create annual business development plan.
• Performs other duties as required to fulfill the mission of the company.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Urban Planning, Real Estate Development or equivalent experience. 
• 2-8 years previous applicable work experience preferred.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thoroughly understands the field of real estate development and related mathematical concepts and calculations. 
• Is able to explain to others.
• Highly skilled at analysis of technical data and able to develop creative solutions to clients' problems. Ability to perform math functions quickly with a high degree of accuracy. Understand algebraic functions and solve for unknown factors.
• Ability to design and modify complex spreadsheets.
• Knowledge about local development process and regulations relating to development.
• Demonstrates well developed interpersonal skills that create and maintain positive relationships with employees and clients. Provides exemplary customer service to clients and prospects.
• Uses clear and concise written and oral communication skills to exchange information in person and on the phone. Ability to explain complex concepts and modify communication style to fit the needs of the audience.
• Comfortable and confident when making presentations at public meetings or at educational seminars.
• Able to actively contribute and share ideas in a team environment to achieve individual, team and company goals.
• Able to recognize issues and work with team to effectively solve problems.
• Ability to understand relationships between budgets and actual performance of an enterprise fund and sensitivity analysis required for financial projects.
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, databases and the Internet.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to proof and edit documents for communications so they are clear and grammatically correct.
• Ability to manage multiple work activities and uneven workloads in a stressful environment. Prioritizes tasks and organizes work so that deadlines are met and essential work is completed.
• Ability to proactively ask questions and request guidance or assistance. Provide assistance as needed.
• Ability to plan and implement work requirements independently.
• Seeks continuous opportunities to market Ehlers services.
• Ability to recognize and pursue opportunities for professional development for self and team.
• Driving during the day or at night for extended periods (several hours) in all weather conditions.
• May need to operate and transport presentation equipment such as overhead projectors, flip charts, etc. and lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.
• Capable of sustaining heavy work load and long hours, average 50-60 hours/wk.
• Ability to become certified as a Municipal Advisor Representative (Series 50) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) is preferred.

In addition to a competitive salary, bonus opportunity and an excellent benefit package, Ehlers employees share in the ownership of the company through a company sponsored stock purchase plan (ESOP). To learn more about this position, please visit our website at www.ehlers-inc.com or submit your resume to: jhagglund@ehlers-inc.com

Ehlers & Associates is an equal opportunity employer.