Project Manager, Community Development Solutions

Employee Status:                           Full Time-Exempt

Grant Funded:                                No

Salary:                                             Salary Grade 3. This salary grade starts at $61,600

Reports to:                                      Vice President, CDS in Chicago and St Louis; Senior Project Manager, Detroit   

Matrix Reporting:                            N/A

Department:                                    Community Development Solutions

Location:                                         Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; St Louis, MO

Department Function:                
IFF’s Community Development Solutions team conceptualizes, evaluates, designs, and implements innovative and transformational equitable community development projects and initiatives in key metropolitan areas in the Midwest as a development consultant and, in some cases, as owner. The team also leads IFF’s work in comprehensive place-based solutions and special initiatives.                           

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 Project Manager, Community Development Solutions (CDS) is an active contributor to projects conceptualized and managed by the team. The Project Manager, CDS works on many community development projects simultaneously, participates in departmental planning meetings for projects, is an active Team member and proactively leads and supports the project-related work the team, as needed.

The Project Manager, CDS will support and, increasingly, lead independent task work to support larger aspects of shared team responsibility, including Requests for Qualifications and/or Proposals (RFQ/P) and RFP development, procurement strategies, community engagement, financial modeling, financing applications, entitlements, due diligence, capital stack structuring, and closing transactions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Assists in coordination of all aspects of project management including concept development, budgeting, team coordination, and organization with the goal of meeting project goals and milestones grounded in IFF’s equitable community development principles. Specific duties of the Project Manager, CDS can include:

1. Coordinated communication with project funders, municipalities, lenders and stakeholders to advance projects or determine project viability.
2. Proactive support and, at the direction of project leadership in all aspects, including acquisition and site control, report writing and preparation, preparing materials and providing support for external meetings and external project team members.
3. Coordinated engagement community stakeholders towards project development including support and/or leadership with facilitation of public meetings and other community engagement activities.
4. Proactive support and/or leadership within the development team on the delivery of complex real estate development projects, with financial, construction and legal aspects.
5. Assistance and/or leadership in RFQ/P development, procurement, financial modeling, capital stack structuring, preparing financing applications, closing transactions and project feasibility concepts.
6. Highly effective, proactive, solutions oriented, and customer centered project management grounded in IFF’s principles of equitable community development. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team as needed in service to the project goals and needs.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures:

1. Demonstrates growth from an intermediary knowledge of building design, construction, development, community engagement, and financial underwriting practices.
2. Successful management of competing project priorities and embracing the many leadership and learning opportunities within the department and across the organization.
3. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, independent learning skills, and interest in development projects and processes.
4. Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies, attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings.
5. Successful completion of projects according to goals set forth for each project, the project budget and schedule, and CDS’s policies and procedures. Completed projects meet quality standards.
6. Demonstrates a high level of internal and external client satisfaction on work products.
7. Internal and external meetings are facilitated in an organized way and are meaningful to the participants. Outcomes of these meetings are analyzed and well presented.
8. Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing.  Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
9. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.
10. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members.
11. 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.
12. High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.

Position Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning or studies, finance, or related field preferred. Demonstrated 4-6 years experience in real estate development and project management is an acceptable equivalent to specific degrees above.

Previous Experience: Demonstrated 3-5 years experience in real estate development and project management.

Additional Requirements: Local travel may be required. The Project Manager, CDS will visit 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 works in a hybrid model; in office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and three days working from home. 

Application Instructions: Please visit our 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.