BASIC JOB FUNCTION
NHS Redevelopment Corporation (NHSRC) is the real estate development affiliate of NHS Chicago, a nonprofit organization with more than 50 years of experience advancing homeownership and strengthening Chicago neighborhoods.
NHSRC acquires, stabilizes, rehabilitates, constructs, and sells residential properties; preserves distressed buildings at risk of demolition; assists homeowners with critical repairs; and serves as a court-appointed receiver for troubled properties. NHSRC homes are designed and constructed to be energy efficient, durable, healthy, and practical to maintain.
NHSRC is a licensed Illinois real estate broker, an approved developer for multiple public and private programs, and an experienced court-appointed receiver.
The Development Associate coordinates assigned real estate development, receivership, homeowner repair, and property-related projects from intake or acquisition through construction, stabilization, closeout, and disposition.
The Development Associate maintains project controls, evaluates property and project information, coordinates internal and external participants, administers financial and compliance documentation, and prepares clear recommendations for management. Within established policies, budgets, contracts, and delegated authority, the Associate exercises judgment to prioritize work, resolve routine project issues, identify material risks, and recommend corrective action.
The position is designed for an organized, analytical, and service-oriented professional who wants to build broad expertise in nonprofit real estate and community development. All Development Associates cross-train across NHSRC programs; initial assignments may emphasize one of the following areas:
- Real estate development, construction, acquisition, financial administration, and compliance.
- Receivership, homeowner repair, property research, legal coordination, and project closeout.
PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Development and Construction Coordination - 25%
- Coordinate assigned development activities from acquisition and project setup through construction, closeout, sale, transfer, or other disposition.
- Establish and maintain project schedules, milestone trackers, budgets, contact lists, decision logs, and required documentation.
- Coordinate acquisition and project-setup requirements, including property access, insurance, utilities, permits, surveys, environmental reviews, title materials, and related due-diligence items.
- Serve as a central point of coordination among architects, contractors, inspectors, consultants, attorneys, lenders, public agencies, property managers, and internal departments.
- Evaluate construction progress, inspections, open issues, change-order requests, closeout documents, warranties, and outstanding deliverables; identify schedule, cost, quality, or compliance risks and recommend next steps.
- Attend and, when assigned, lead routine construction meetings, property inspections, and project walkthroughs; document decisions, responsibilities, and deadlines.
- Prepare concise project status reports that identify completed work, upcoming milestones, responsible parties, unresolved issues, risks, and decisions required.
- Support marketing, listing, sale, transfer, and disposition activities as assigned.
Receivership and Legal Coordination - 20% - Conduct property and public-record research for prospective and active receivership matters, including ownership, title, liens, taxes, building conditions, violations, litigation history, and related records.
- Analyze preliminary rehabilitation costs, after-repair value information, available funding, property conditions, and other feasibility factors; prepare findings and recommendations for management review.
- Prepare property summaries, intake materials, timelines, photographs, research memoranda, and supporting exhibits for review by management and legal counsel.
- Maintain complete, organized, and current electronic and physical case files throughout the receivership process.
- Coordinate information and documentation requested by Corporation Counsel, NHSRC legal counsel, City departments, contractors, property owners, and other parties.
- Provide administrative and factual support for draft lien documents, payoff statements, releases, court reports, repair summaries, and related materials under the direction of management or counsel.
- Attend court hearings, property inspections, and case meetings in a support capacity, and accurately document required follow-up.
- Track court dates, filing deadlines, inspections, owner communications, repair milestones, and case-closing requirements; escalate legal questions to counsel and refrain from providing legal advice.
Homeowner Repair and Program Delivery - 20%
- Coordinate assigned activities for grant-funded homeowner repair, rehabilitation, and neighborhood stabilization programs.
- Support homeowner outreach, application intake, documentation review, property inspections, contractor assignment, construction monitoring, and project closeout.
- Review application and project files for completeness and consistency with established program requirements; identify exceptions or eligibility questions requiring management review.
- Communicate clearly, respectfully, and promptly with homeowners, residents, contractors, community partners, and public agencies.
- Track repair scopes, contractor assignments, schedules, inspections, invoices, change requests, resident concerns, and completion documentation.
- Maintain accurate applicant, property, and project records in accordance with funding, privacy, and document-retention requirements.
- Support community outreach, program presentations, workshops, and neighborhood events.
- Identify delayed projects, missing documentation, contractor performance concerns, resident issues, and other risks; propose practical resolution steps and escalate as appropriate.
Financial and Budget Administration - 20% - Review and process vendor invoices, contractor payment requests, reimbursements, utility bills, insurance expenses, and other project costs in accordance with established controls.
- Verify that payment requests include required approvals, contracts, scopes, invoices, lien waivers, inspection documentation, funding eligibility support, and other required materials.
- Maintain current project budget and commitment trackers; reconcile expenditures, encumbrances, available balances, and funding sources with the Finance Department at least monthly.
- Analyze budget-to-actual performance, identify discrepancies, duplicate charges, unsupported costs, and potential overruns, and recommend corrective action.
- Support cash-flow projections, draw or funding requests, project cost reports, grant reimbursement submissions, and financial closeout.
- Organize audit-ready financial records for management review, audits, project closings, and funder monitoring.
- Support preparation and refinement of development budgets, feasibility analyses, pro formas, and sources-and-uses statements.
Compliance, Documentation, and Reporting - 15%
- Maintain complete, accurate, current, and audit-ready project, property, program, and case files.
- Apply established reporting and compliance requirements associated with CDBG, TIF, NMTC, prevailing wage, philanthropic grants, City and State programs, and other funding sources to assigned work.
- Track required certifications, insurance documents, contractor qualifications, wage documentation, inspections, environmental reviews, approvals, and other compliance materials.
- Prepare accurate periodic reports, reimbursement requests, funder updates, annual certifications, monitoring responses, and project closeout submissions for review and approval.
- Maintain accurate information in SharePoint, Salesforce, spreadsheets, and other organizational systems; follow naming conventions, file-management procedures, approval workflows, and retention requirements.
- Monitor reporting calendars and compliance deadlines, identify documentation gaps or conflicting requirements, and escalate matters requiring management, financial, or legal review.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the position’s purpose and level of responsibility.
SUPERVISORY AND DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no direct employee supervisory responsibilities.
The Development Associate provides day-to-day functional coordination and monitors work performed by contractors, property managers, inspectors, consultants, vendors, and other service providers. The Associate may confirm assignments, establish routine deadlines, request required documentation or corrections, monitor completion, and escalate performance, quality, cost, safety, or compliance concerns.
The Development Associate does not independently execute contracts; authorize material changes to scope,
budget, or schedule; approve final payments; determine legal strategy; or make final eligibility or legal determinations unless the appropriate authority is specifically delegated in writing.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The Development Associate position is designed to build the knowledge, judgment, and experience required to manage increasingly complex real estate and community development projects. As the Associate demonstrates proficiency, assignments may expand to include:
- Managing a defined portfolio of projects or receivership cases.
- Leading routine projects, construction, or vendor coordination meetings.
- Preparing development budgets, feasibility analyses, and recommendations.
- Coordinating smaller projects with limited supervision.
- Training new staff on established systems and procedures.
- Presenting project information to organizational leadership, funders, public agencies, and external partners.
- Progressing toward Senior Development Associate, Project Manager, or Development Manager responsibilities.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
$65,000 - $85,000 annually - Health, dental and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- NHS offers a comprehensive benefits package. We also offer a team spirit, which strives for excellence in customer service.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Education - Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, construction management, public administration, business, finance, community development, or a related field is preferred. Relevant professional experience may be considered in place of a degree.
Experience
- One to three years of progressively responsible experience in real estate, construction, property management, project coordination, financial administration, nonprofit programs, legal administration, government, banking, brokerage, or a related field is preferred.
- Candidates with strong organizational, financial, analytical, technology, and communication skills who demonstrate the capacity to learn real estate development and receivership processes will also be considered.
- Experience with construction documentation, invoice processing, title or property research, municipal programs, court proceedings, or grant-funded programs is helpful but not required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENCES, AND REGISTRATIONS
- Valid Illinois driver’s license and ability to travel throughout Chicago are required.
- Illinois real estate leasing agent, broker, or managing broker license is preferred but not required.
- Construction, project-management, property-management, housing, or compliance certifications are helpful but not required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Strong project coordination, organization, prioritization, and follow-through skills.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, shifting priorities, and competing deadlines with limited day-to-day supervision.
- Ability to read, organize, and evaluate contracts, scopes of work, invoices, construction documents, inspection reports, property records, and compliance requirements.
- Working knowledge of budgets, costs, payment documentation, percentages, funding balances, and basic real estate financial concepts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, summaries, correspondence, meeting records, and tracking documents.
- Ability to conduct property and public-record research and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Ability to identify inconsistencies, risk, missing documentation, and unresolved issues; compare practical options; and recommend appropriate next steps.
- Ability to interact professionally with homeowners, residents, attorneys, contractors, consultants, government representatives, funders, and Finance personnel.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment within established policies and delegated authority and to seek management, financial, or legal guidance when appropriate.
- Technology: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, ability to learn SharePoint, Salesforce, and other systems effectively for project controls, financial administration, analysis, reporting, and document management.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Performance will be evaluated based on the quality, timeliness, judgment, and reliability of the Associate’s work, including whether: - Project milestones, court dates, inspections, payment deadlines, and reporting requirements are tracked accurately and completed on schedule.
- Risks, delays, budget concerns, documentation deficiencies, and vendor performance issues are identified early, analyzed appropriately, and escalated with recommended next steps.
- Vendor invoices and contractor payment requests are processed accurately, promptly, and with complete supporting documentation.
- Project budgets and commitments are current and reconciled with Finance at least monthly.
- Project, case, inspection, financial, legal-support, and compliance files are complete, organized, current, and audit-ready.
- Receivership intake, property research, and feasibility materials are accurate, thorough, and completed within established timelines.
- Contractors, consultants, and vendors receive clear assignments and required deliverables are monitored through completion.
- Homeowner repair projects advance efficiently and homeowners receive timely, accurate, and professional communication.
- Grant, compliance, and financial reports are accurate and submitted by required deadlines.
- Project status reports clearly identify progress, upcoming actions, responsible parties, risks, dependencies, and decisions required.
- The Associate demonstrates continued growth in project ownership, financial understanding, independent judgment, communication, and problem-solving.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Project Management and Follow-Through
- Organizes multiple projects, properties, cases, assignments, and deadlines; establishes reliable project controls and drives assigned work to completion.
Analytical Judgment
- Evaluates property, construction, financial, legal, and program information; compares possible courses of action; distinguishes routine issues from material risks; and prepares practical recommendations.
Financial Acumen
- Understands invoices, budgets, contracts, payment documentation, funding balances, cost variances, and basic real estate financial concepts; analyzes numerical information accurately.
Attention to Detail
- Produces accurate financial, property, legal-support, and compliance documentation and identifies inconsistencies, missing information, and potential errors before submission.
Communication and Stakeholder Management
- Communicates clearly and professionally with homeowners, residents, contractors, attorneys, consultants, municipal agencies, Finance staff, funders, and organizational leadership.
Service Orientation
- Treats homeowners, residents, applicants, vendors, and partners with respect; communicates expectations clearly; and responds to questions and concerns promptly.
Initiative and Accountability
- Moves assigned work forward without unnecessary delay, keeps stakeholders informed, meets commitments, and escalates significant risks promptly.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving
- Responds effectively to changing construction conditions, funding requirements, court schedules, project priorities, and incomplete or conflicting information.
Confidentiality and Professional Ethics
- Protects sensitive legal, financial, homeowner, applicant, employee, and property-related information and operates within delegated authority.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position primarily involves office-based and community-facing work. Duties regularly require verbal communication, use of computers and standard office equipment, and the ability to remain stationary or move throughout office and event locations as needed. Occasional lifting or moving of materials up to 25 pounds may be required. Must be able to use required personal protective equipment and comply with applicable safety requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Employees are expected to visit active construction sites one to two times per week to monitor project progress, maintain oversight of ongoing work, verify quality standards, coordinate with contractors and stakeholders, and address project-related issues as needed.
The employee may encounter uneven surfaces, stairs, dust, noise, limited utilities, inclement weather, and
properties in varying physical conditions. Compliance with applicable safety requirements and use of required personal protective equipment are mandatory.
Citywide travel is required. Authorized business travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with organizational policy.
REMOTE WORK POLICY
The Development Associate is required to work full-time in the office for the first 90 days of employment to support onboarding, training, and operational integration. Thereafter, the position is eligible to participate in the department’s hybrid 3/2 work schedule, requiring a minimum of 3 days in-office per week, subject to business needs and management discretion. Additional in-person attendance may be required for important meetings, team meetings, all staff meetings, audits, site visits by funders, agency events, training sessions, or other operational priorities. This position is primarily based at NHS’s Central Office, and requires periodic travel throughout
Chicago to construction sites, occupied and vacant properties, court proceedings, municipal offices, community meetings, and property inspections.
NHS’ COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, RACIAL EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) is deeply committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that reflects the communities we serve. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our work and advances our mission. NHS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or
any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
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