Owner's Representative (evergreen)

AVS Pulse; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short/long-term disability

Hybrid workplace

Job summary

IFF is seeking an Owner’s Representative (evergreen) in Chicago to lead building analyses and development for nonprofit clients. The role reports to the Lead Owner’s Representative and sits in the Real Estate Solutions department.

This full-time exempt position requires a collaborative leader with equity and inclusion values who can manage budgets, schedules, and client relationships. The candidate will coordinate with architectural/engineering teams, ensure quality and compliance, and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Experience in real estate solutions or facilities management is a plus.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducts site visits to assess buildings and systems for client programs with cost estimates and recommendations.
• Coordinate preconstruction services: budget, schedule, quality, environmental assessments, site surveys, and design oversight.
• Facilitate construction activities, review drawings, support permitting, and monitor project milestones.
• Manage project finances and relationships with contractors/architects to ensure on-budget delivery.
• Provide training and support for nonprofits to help them understand facilities and financing options.

Skills

Independent work

Excellent communication

Facilitation

Project management

Analytical thinking

Adaptability

Mentoring

Client satisfaction

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

None specified

Job description

Title: Owner’s Representative (evergreen)

Employee Status: Full Time - Exempt

Salary: Grade 4

Starting range of $75,000 – $96,000

Reports to: Lead Owner’s Representative - Chicago

Department: Real Estate Solutions

Location: Chicago, IL

Hybrid: 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 Owner’s Representative manages work associated with building analysis and development for client-driven projects while supporting the work of departmental leadership and other RES staff as necessary to further the mission of both IFF and our clients.

IFF is continuously searching for individuals whom share our passion for communities. This position is evergreen, and will remain open as we opportunistically bring on new talent.

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

• Conducts site visits to assess buildings and their systems for suitability for client’s intended purpose and provides analyses of such buildings for clients. Written assessments evaluate facilities’ major systems, layout, structure and suitability for program purposes, include order-of-magnitude cost estimates, and provide recommendations for modifications or improvements based on intended client program.
• Coordinates preconstruction services, establishing project requirements for budget, schedule, and quality in coordination with the client through thought leadership and strategic guidance. Services include facilitation of due diligence activities such as environmental assessments, geotechnical investigation, and site surveying; procurement of contracted and professional services, including architectural/engineering teams and prime contractor; contract negotiation support in partnership with client’s legal counsel; and design oversight.
• Facilitates construction and other associated client activities, ensuring that established project requirements and development milestones are achieved:
• Reviews construction drawings and specifications for conformance with client’s project requirements, including program conformance and budget;
• Supports permitting activities, including meetings with authorities having jurisdiction and progress tracking and troubleshooting to ensure permit is secured according to schedule;
• Manages relationships with contractor and architect during construction, attends construction meetings, reviews project documentation, and works toward resolving construction-related disputes that arise during the project, while maintaining and reinforcing accountability among members of the project team;
• Manages and tracks all project-related accounting to ensure that project stays within budget;
• Supports client in coordination and deployment of assembled funding and financing sources, during preconstruction and construction phases;
• Assesses the status of projects against their plan and schedule, identifies and anticipates project risk, and facilitates solutions to ensure that the projects are completed as planned; and
• Keeps client and RES leadership apprised of progress through regular updates or meetings.
• Supports Project Managers leading feasibility analyses with budgeting and cost estimates of project development scenarios for feasibility work.
• 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.
• Represents RES at meetings, presentations and events, including with clients and IFF team members.
• Participates in department knowledge sharing and training efforts by making presentations, conducting research, and participating on committees in support of department performance goals.
• Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies. Attends and participates in department knowledge sharing and training efforts by making presentations, conducting research, and participating on committees in support of department performance goals.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures

• 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.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships and a superior level of satisfaction with clients, IFF colleagues, architects, contractors, partners, team members, and others.
• Communicates clearly in a well- organized, comprehensive, and persuasive manner.
• 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.
• Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
• Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.
• Approaches work with a growth mindset, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement through effort, learning and persistence.
• 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 architecture, engineering, construction management, urban planning or similar. Additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

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

Additional Requirements

Local and regional travel is required. The Owner’s Representative 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 Owner’s Representative 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
• Sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

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.