Research Analyst, Real Estate

HR&A Advisors; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Comprehensive benefits package (dental

vision coverage)

Job summary

HR&A Advisors, Inc. is seeking a Research Analyst, Places, to join our Raleigh office. This entry-level role (0-2 years) focuses on real estate market and data analysis, leveraging Excel and AI tools to deliver client-ready reports and proposals.

You will work in a collaborative, data-driven environment with growth opportunities, contributing to projects across urban planning, economics, and public policy. The role offers hybrid work and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of full-time experience in urban planning or development, real estate finance, economics, statistics, public administration, or a similar field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing written reports, presentations as well as agendas and meeting notes
• Proficiency in common AI tools (i.e., LLMs like ChatGPT) and understanding of best practices for responsible use, citation and incorporation into research and other tasks
• Understanding of limitations of AI tools and demonstrated ability to independently verify data and AI outputs
• Demonstrated interest in using emerging AI tools to accelerate data analysis, deliverable production and other specialized methodologies
• Ability to learn quickly
• Open to giving and receiving feedback
• Ability to successfully multi-task and manage multiple assignments at once
• Superb attention to detail, delivering accurate and error-free work
• Capacity for independent thinking
• Self-starter
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Economics, Statistics, or Public Policy preferred

Responsibilities

• Real estate market analysis
• Quantitative analysis in Excel, including real-estate-focused financial analysis
• Statistical analysis and econometrics
• Case study research
• Demographic and economic data analysis
• Public policy analysis
• Drafting proposals for new projects
• Producing marketing materials
• Crafting client deliverables in the form of written reports, memos, and PowerPoint presentations
• Analytic staff form the foundation of our team-oriented and collaborative structure

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Written & verbal communication

AI tools (ChatGPT)

Data verification

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Independent thinking

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate / Finance / Urban Planning / Economics / Statistics / Public Policy

Tools

AI tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

ABOUT US

HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans and then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations, and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, Washington D.C. and the Bay Area. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

ABOUT YOU

You have a passion for urban development and policy, strong quantitative and qualitative skills, and a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities today. You are excited to dive into projects that help our clients solve the difficult challenges cities face today, and to build upon your skillset and interest in real estate and economic development.

THE ROLE

HR&A is seeking to hire a Research Analyst, Places, to work out of our Raleigh office. The Research Analyst role is an entry-level position for professionals with 0-2 years of professional experience.

Day-to-day tasks range from project to project, and often include:

• Real estate market analysis

• Quantitative analysis in Excel, including real-estate-focused financial analysis

• Statistical analysis and econometrics

• Case study research

• Demographic and economic data analysis

• Public policy analysis

• Drafting proposals for new projects

• Producing marketing materials

• Crafting client deliverables in the form of written reports, memos, and PowerPoint presentations

Analytic staff form the foundation of our team-oriented and collaborative structure and help to drive our data-focused approach to city building. This position offers significant opportunity for growth. HR&A consultants are often generalists but have the opportunity to specialize over time. Many of HR&A’s senior staff started as Research Analysts.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Successful candidates will bring strong quantitative and qualitative skills as well as a demonstrated capacity for critical thinking and creativity as well as other capabilities aligned with the role and responsibilities described above, including:

• 0-2 years of full-time experience in urban planning or development, real estate finance, economics, statistics, public administration, or a similar field

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing written reports, presentations as well as agendas and meeting notes

• Proficiency in common AI tools (i.e., LLMs like ChatGPT) and understanding of best practices for responsible use, citation and incorporation into research and other tasks

• Understanding of limitations of AI tools and demonstrated ability to independently verify data and AI outputs

• Demonstrated interest in using emerging AI tools to accelerate data analysis, deliverable production and other specialized methodologies

• Ability to learn quickly

• Open to giving and receiving feedback

• Ability to successfully multi-task and manage multiple assignments at once

• Superb attention to detail, delivering accurate and error-free work

• Capacity for independent thinking

• Self-starter

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Economics, Statistics, or Public Policy preferred

HYBRID WORK POLICY

HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least three days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams.

COMPENSATION

The base salary range for this position is $71,800 - $79,825, plus the opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside this pay range is dependent on experience. We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage.