Senior Associate, Business Development & Capital Formation

The Equus Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Equus Group in Chicago seeks a Senior Associate to join its real estate team and lead investor development and capital formation efforts. This role focuses on building relationships with prospective investors and supporting fundraising initiatives.

Ideal candidates bring 6–10 years in real estate fundraising or investor relations, with a proven ability to coordinate communications, roadshows, and investor materials. You will work closely with senior leadership and the real estate team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• 6–10 years of relevant experience, with a minimum of 2 years in real estate investor relations, fundraising, or business development.
• Direct experience with real estate fundraising and investor relationship development.
• Strong understanding of the LP landscape and fundraising process; ability to connect with family offices and RIAs.
• Strong written and verbal communication; highly organized with strong project management skills.
• CRM, investor database or fundraising tech experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support fundraising efforts for the firm's real estate platform, with a focus on developing new investor relationships.
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective and existing investors, including family offices, RIAs, endowments, foundations, and other institutions.
• Manage and develop the investor pipeline from initial outreach through ongoing relationship development.
• Coordinate investor communications, meetings, roadshows, and follow-up throughout the fundraising process.
• Develop and coordinate presentations, RFPs, DDQs, reports, and other materials for prospective and existing investors.
• Partner closely with the real estate investment team to translate investment strategy, portfolio activity, and performance into clear investor communications.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the firm's real estate strategy and investment activity.
• Track fundraising activity, investor relationships, and pipeline development across internal systems.
• Work closely with senior leadership and have direct exposure to the firm's leadership team.
• Collaborate across the broader investment platform to support business development and fundraising initiatives.
• Help develop and expand the firm's investor network.

Skills

Fundraising

Investor relations

Business development

Relationship building

Communication

Project management

CRM experience

Real estate knowledge

Networking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM platforms

Investor databases

Job description

Senior Associate, Business Development & Capital Formation

We are partnering with our client, a leading investment firm in Chicago, to identify a Senior Associate, Business Development & Capital Formation to join its real estate team.

This is an opportunity for an experienced fundraising and business development professional to take meaningful ownership of investor development efforts. The Senior Associate will work closely with the real estate team and senior leadership to develop relationships with prospective investors, support fundraising initiatives, and manage ongoing communications with the firm's investor base.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in real estate fundraising, a strong understanding of the LP landscape, and the ability to build relationships across family offices, RIAs, and other investor groups.

What You Will Do

• Support fundraising efforts for the firm's real estate platform, with a focus on developing new investor relationships
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective and existing investors, including family offices, RIAs, endowments, foundations, and other institutions
• Manage and develop the investor pipeline from initial outreach through ongoing relationship development
• Coordinate investor communications, meetings, roadshows, and follow-up throughout the fundraising process
• Develop and coordinate presentations, RFPs, DDQs, reports, and other materials for prospective and existing investors
• Partner closely with the real estate investment team to translate investment strategy, portfolio activity, and performance into clear investor communications
• Maintain a strong understanding of the firm's real estate strategy and investment activity
• Track fundraising activity, investor relationships, and pipeline development across internal systems
• Work closely with senior leadership and have direct exposure to the firm's leadership team
• Collaborate across the broader investment platform to support business development and fundraising initiatives
• Help develop and expand the firm's investor network

What They're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, communications, marketing, or a related field
• 6-10 years of relevant experience, with a minimum of 2 years in real estate investor relations, fundraising, or business development
• Direct experience with real estate fundraising and investor relationship development
• Strong understanding of the LP landscape and fundraising process, including prospecting, investor meetings, and roadshows
• Existing relationships or reach across family offices and RIAs; connections with endowments, foundations, and institutional investors are a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate investment concepts clearly and effectively
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive fundraising activity
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with senior professionals and investors
• Experience working directly with investment professionals and senior leadership
• Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in real estate investing and private markets
• CRM, investor database, or fundraising technology experience is a plus
• Investment banking experience may be considered with subsequent experience in real estate fundraising, investor relations, or business development

The Equus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.