Real Estate Associate

The Associate position will work with senior staff providing project management, research, financial, and analytic support for a wide range of clients and assignments. The Associate will be assigned to a group of projects, which are likely to include management of specific real estate transactions; analysis of leases and other real estate assets; formulation of development proposals, including pro forma analysis and transaction structures; financial analysis, including sources and uses of funds, projected cash flows and returns analysis; project management support of facilities and master planning projects, including management of consultants, budgets, and contracts; development of Requests for Proposals, analysis of responses, and participation in developer or consultant selection process; and research support for a wide variety of client engagements. The Associate will have significant client contact and, depending on ability, may take lead responsibility for specific projects or clients. In addition, the Associate will participate in preparing proposals and other marketing efforts on behalf of the firm. 

·       Prepare financial analyses including pro formas, development budgets, operating cash flows, valuations, occupancy cost analyses, and other real estate financial modeling; 

·       Synthesize financial analysis to provide optimal solutions for clients that balance their mission goals and financial feasibility;

·       Conduct research on best practices, current market trends, and real estate comparables; 

·       Assist in the development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) on behalf of clients; analysis and reporting of responses; participation in developer or consultant selection process;

·       Prepare PowerPoint presentations, reports, memos and other materials for current clients;

·       Assist in business development including drafting proposals, development of responses to RFPs for consulting services, and preparation of marketing materials for prospective clients;

·       Coordinate and schedule project team meetings, prepare agendas and meeting minutes, and follow up on assignments;

·       Prepare project work plans, budgets, and schedules;

·       Coordinate and provide support to project team members, including design and construction professionals, attorneys, financial advisors, and planning consultants.

·       5+ years of work experience in community and economic development, real estate, finance, planning, or consulting. 

·       A graduate degree in real estate, urban planning, business administration, finance, or a related field is preferred but not required.  Previous work experience and/or coursework should demonstrate strong analytical skill

·       Demonstrated understanding of market-wide real estate trends and parcel-level data analysis. 

·       Experience and high proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including the understanding and mastery of advanced functions (xLookUp, If Statements, Pivot Tables, etc.) in Excel. 

·       The ability to create highly customized financial analysis models for clients, including pro formas with discounted cash flows, waterfall distributions, or modeling specific to certain asset classes (e.g., affordable housing financing). 

·       Familiarity with transaction structuring 

·       Self-motivated; ability to execute tasks independently with minimal instruction. High proficiency in organization and time management.

·       Excellent interpersonal skills and professional demeanor, especially when communicating with clients; an ability to actively listen to clients and teammates.

·       Fluency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word

·       Experience in working with GIS, especially ArcGIS, ArcPro or ArcGIS Online, is a plus but not required

·       Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Tableau and a design aesthetic is preferred but not required.

·       A passion for cities, neighborhoods, active streets, and strong communities.

·       Ability to contribute to and mesh with collegial company culture, to work with grace under pressure, and to thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment. 

U3 offers a competitive compensation package, including salary, the opportunity to earn a bonus, and a generous employee benefits package. Salary and bonus reviews are conducted annually. The starting salary will be within $83,000 - $105,000.

 U3 provides the following benefits:

·       Medical and Insurance: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision care insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability; up to ten paid days of sick/medical leave per calendar year 

·       Vacation: four weeks of paid time off (PTO) per calendar year; 10 paid federal holidays

·       Retirement: optional self-funded 401(k) plan with employer match up to 4% of salary, eligible after one year of employment

·       Technology: iPhone, phone plan, and Mac computer provided

·       Travel: annual in-person company-wide staff retreat, fall and spring staff meetings, and opportunity to travel to clients

·       Work Environment: flexible and hybrid work environment

U3’s human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. We celebrate the diversity that makes U3 unique.While we continue to improve in established metrics for success in diversity, we are proud of where we are today. U3’s inclusive hiring process ensures that we create opportunity and a level playing field for all. Currently, U3 has 25 advisors comprised of a range of characteristics including gender (50% women), religion, race (30% minority), age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and education. This diversity fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and unique perspectives which translates into our client work.

Since U3’s inception 18 years ago, our work has been primarily based in urban settings that are both socioeconomically challenged and racially diverse. As stewards of development in several of the continent’s largest majority-minority cities, we live by the principle of doing the right thing for better reasons. Our focus on bridging the gap between communities and anchor institutions in cities like Detroit, the South Side of Chicago, Memphis, College Park (MD), Newark (NJ), New Orleans, and Buffalo speaks to the core of who U3 is and our deliberate impact.

Please submit a cover letter, work sample, and resume on our website.