Senior Analyst (Planning & Development Advisory)

bdconnect; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) is seeking a Senior Analyst to join our advisory team in a hybrid role based in Washington DC or New York City. This position blends data analytics with real estate development, planning, and related built-environment fields to turn research into actionable insights for clients.

You’ll work across diverse projects, conduct market research, build financial models, and translate findings into clear recommendations that support clients’ long-term goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 3+ years in real estate development, planning, or related field.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking with ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel; experience with financial models and market analyses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex information clearly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel to client sites as needed and work onsite at B&D offices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform client recommendations and project strategy.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data through market research, interviews, surveys, site analysis, and needs assessments.
• Develop financial models, market analyses, space planning analyses, and other analytical tools to evaluate opportunities.
• Research real estate, market, financial, and industry trends to identify insights and opportunities.
• Identify new analytical tools and strengthen existing models for B&D’s research efforts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Excel skills

Written and verbal communication

Travel willingness

Independent work

Collaboration

Familiarity with real estate/finance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) is seeking a Senior Analyst to join our team in the Northeast. This is a hybrid opportunity based in the Washington, DC, or New York City area.

This is more than a data analytics role. We’re looking for an analytical thinker with a background in real estate, development, planning, architecture, or a related built-environment field who can turn data and research into meaningful insights, helping clients understand their options, make informed decisions, and shape strategies for their investments and long-term goals.

Named the #17 fastest-growing AEC firm in the U.S. and Canada by Zweig Group's Hot Firm Awards, B&D is entering an exciting period of growth—creating new opportunities for ambitious professionals to take on meaningful work and accelerate their careers.

About B&D

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) leads the planning, development, and management of the places that shape and strengthen communities—where people live, learn, work, and play. B&D partners with institutions, municipalities, and organizations to shape and deliver complex real estate and capital projects, providing strategic insight and end-to-end advisory services across the full project lifecycle.

B&D recently joined forces with Project Management Advisors, bringing together two nationally recognized leaders in program management and real estate advisory services. Together, the combined firm offers expanded capabilities across industries and throughout the full project lifecycle—from early-stage strategy and planning through execution and beyond.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a curious, analytical, and resourceful professional who can move beyond the numbers to develop insights that help clients make better decisions. The Senior Analyst supports B&D’s advisory work with colleges, universities, private-sector organizations, and municipalities, helping clients maximize the value of their investments and align real estate and operational decisions with their long-term goals.

You’ll work across a diverse portfolio of assets and challenges, including campus housing, athletics facilities, arenas and stadiums, entertainment and innovation districts, schools, community recreation, energy and sustainability infrastructure, and healthcare and research facilities. This role is ideal for someone with a real estate, planning, development, architecture, or related analytical background who is eager to learn, navigate unfamiliar problems, and turn analysis into meaningful recommendations.

How You’ll Contribute

Analysis & Research

• Conduct research and quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform client recommendations and project strategy.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data through market research, interviews, focus groups, surveys, site analysis, needs assessments, and other research methods.
• Develop financial models, market analyses, space planning analyses, and other analytical tools to evaluate real estate and operational opportunities.
• Research real estate, market, financial, and industry trends to identify relevant insights and opportunities.
• Identify new analytical tools, strengthen existing models, and contribute to B&D’s research and development efforts.

Synthesis & Advisory

• Translate complex information and analytical findings into clear insights that help clients make informed decisions.
• Connect data, research, and project findings to broader client goals, challenges, and long-term strategies.
• Develop polished presentations, reports, financial models, and other deliverables that effectively communicate recommendations.
• Apply critical thinking to ambiguous problems and help project teams develop practical, creative solutions.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to gather information, test assumptions, and support the development of recommendations.

Client & Team Collaboration

• Serve as a secondary point of contact for clients, communicating professionally and ensuring appropriate follow-through.
• Collaborate with project teams across disciplines and contribute meaningfully to team discussions and problem-solving.
• Support client meetings, presentations, interviews, and other engagement activities.
• Provide informal coaching and support to Analysts and other junior team members.

Firm & Professional Growth

• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposals, conferences, thought leadership, and relationship development.
• Pursue professional development and coaching opportunities, including B&D’s mentorship program.
• Support quality control and client satisfaction across assigned projects.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide informal coaching and support to Analysts and other junior team members.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years of relevant experience in real estate development or management, architecture, planning, construction management, engineering, higher education, business, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities, with the ability to move from data and research to meaningful conclusions and recommendations.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience working with data, financial models, or other analytical tools.
• Experience researching, organizing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and present clear, cohesive reports and presentations.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with real estate, finance, and accounting principles.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative project team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness and ability to travel to client sites as needed, including by car, air, or train.
• Reliable transportation with the ability to work onsite in a B&D office (New York or Washington DC) on a weekly basis.
• Demonstrated adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to continuous learning and growth.

What Sets You Apart

The strongest candidates will be able to bridge analysis and advisory thinking. You’re comfortable working with numbers and data, but you don’t stop at finding the answer—you want to understand why it matters and what the client should do with it.

You may come from a traditional real estate or development background, or from a related field such as architecture, planning, engineering, construction, or another analytical discipline. What matters most is your ability to transfer what you know to new challenges, learn quickly, and figure things out when there isn’t an obvious playbook.

You’re intellectually curious and resourceful. When you don’t know something, you know how to find the answer. You ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions, and bring structure to ambiguous problems.

You’re also confident in communicating what you're thinking. Whether you’re presenting analysis, building a PowerPoint, or talking with a client, you can take complicated information and make it understandable, relevant, and actionable.

Why People Choose B&D

Impactful Mission- Be part of meaningful work that helps shape the places where people live, learn, work, and connect.

Learning & Growth- We invest in mentorship, leadership development, and continuous learning at every stage of your career.

Strong Culture- Entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, integrity, and excellence drive how we work together.

Robust Benefits- Comprehensive benefits include 100% company-paid medical, dental, and prescription coverage, a targeted 7% employer-contribution 401(k), generous PTO, and more.

This role's target base annual salary range is currently $80,000-$95,000. Pay scales are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors unique to each candidate, including, but not limited to, job-related skills, relevant education, experience, certifications, candidate abilities, and pay relative to other team members.

The company benefits listed above are a summary of the benefits. Specific details, availability, and eligibility requirements apply in accordance with company policies.

Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc. participates in E-Verify.