Senior Real Estate Associate

First Midwest Group; Rockford (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

First Midwest Group in Rockford, Illinois is looking for a Senior Real Estate Associate specialized in Leasing & Investments. This hybrid role combines leasing execution, development support, and investment decision-making. Key responsibilities include advancing leasing initiatives and supporting development projects while requiring strong interpersonal skills and financial acumen. Candidates should hold a degree in a relevant field with experience in commercial real estate transactions. This position offers growth in deal leadership and strategic responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, development, acquisitions, or dispositions.
• Experience working with national or multi-location tenants.
• Exposure to development-oriented projects, mixed-use assets, or value-add strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead leasing initiatives across retail, mixed-use, and commercial assets.
• Support active and pipeline development projects.
• Conduct financial analysis for leasing transactions, acquisitions, and development projects.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Commercially focused with strong deal execution capabilities

Solid financial acumen

Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid role

Relationship-driven with a tenant-oriented mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field

Active real estate broker’s license or ability to obtain

Job description

The Senior Real Estate Associate – Leasing & Investments is a high-impact, hybrid role within First Midwest Group’s real estate platform. This position operates at the intersection of leasing execution, development support, and investment decision-making, with direct exposure to active deals across the company’s diversified portfolio.

First Midwest Group is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development, and operating company with a history of delivering large-scale commercial, mixed-use, and community-focused developments. The firm maintains an active pipeline of ground-up projects, redevelopments, and strategic investments across multiple asset classes. This role is responsible for advancing leasing initiatives, supporting development and investment activity, and contributing to portfolio-level decision-making. While financial and analytical capabilities are required, the primary emphasis is on deal execution, tenant relationships, and cross‑functional coordination.

The position works closely with senior leadership, including development, leasing, and executive teams, and requires regular interaction with tenants, brokers, consultants, and ownership partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Leasing & Tenant Strategy (Primary Focus)
• Support and lead leasing initiatives across retail, mixed‑use, and commercial assets within the FMG portfolio
• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and existing tenants, including national and regional users (grocery, QSR, service retail, and experiential concepts)
• Manage and support lease negotiations, renewals, expansions, and restructurings
• Coordinate with internal teams to align tenant requirements with site planning, development timelines, and financial objectives
• Prepare tenant‑facing materials, including site packages, leasing presentations, and deal summaries
• Collaborate with brokers, attorneys, and consultants to facilitate efficient transaction execution

Development & Investment Execution

• Provide direct support on active and pipeline development projects, including ground‑up developments and redevelopments
• Assist in acquisition and disposition activities, including broker coordination, due diligence, and transaction management
• Contribute to deal structuring decisions, including lease terms, tenant mix, and long‑term asset positioning
• Participate in internal investment discussions by providing market insight, tenant strategy, and execution perspective
• Support leasing strategies that enhance asset value and long‑term portfolio performance

Financial & Deal Analysis (Supporting Function)

• Support underwriting and financial analysis for leasing transactions, acquisitions, and development projects
• Assist with valuation, cash flow modeling, and return analysis in coordination with internal finance resources
• Translate financial outputs into clear, actionable insights for decision‑making
• Maintain assumptions related to tenant improvements, lease structures, and development costs

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Act as a connector between leasing, development, finance, and executive leadership
• Support internal decision‑making by balancing tenant relationships, financial discipline, and strategic objectives
• Represent the company in external meetings, property tours, and negotiations
• Contribute to process improvements, deal tracking, and institutional knowledge across the organization

Growth & Career Path

This position is structured to support progression into deal leadership and broader strategic responsibility over time. The role provides exposure to all phases of the real estate lifecycle, including leasing, development, acquisitions, and dispositions. Long‑term progression may include:

• Independent management of leasing and development transactions
• Increased responsibility in investment decision‑making
• Leadership of junior team members as the platform expands

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field
• Active real estate broker’s license or ability to obtain
• Experience in commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, development, acquisitions, or dispositions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage tenants, brokers, and senior leadership
• Solid financial acumen with experience supporting deal underwriting and analysis (Preferred)
• Experience working with national or multi‑location tenants
• Exposure to development‑oriented projects, mixed‑use assets, or value‑add strategies
• Ability to operate effectively in a hybrid role combining execution, analysis, and relationship management
• Interest in long‑term progression into leadership and deal origination

Key Attributes for Success

• Commercially focused with strong deal execution capabilities
• Relationship‑driven with a tenant‑oriented mindset
• Sound judgment and attention to detail
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to translate financial analysis into practical business decisions
• Professional presence with internal and external stakeholder