Senior Owner's Representative

Description

Title: Senior Owner’s Representative

Employee Status: Full-time Exempt

Salary: Grade 6

Starts at $92,000 | Chicago 

Reports to: Lead Owner’s Representative

Department: Real Estate Solutions

Location: Chicago

Hybrid Remote: In office: T/W | Remote: M/Th/F

Department Function: The Real Estate Solutions Department provides a wide range of real estate consulting and development services to help assist nonprofits with the planning, design, and construction of facilities, including project financial feasibility, facility condition assessment, site search and due diligence for property development, and owner’s representative services both internally and externally. RES collaborates with broader IFF cross-function, programmatic efforts to build nonprofit capacity in targeted sectors and mission-related initiatives.

The Organization

IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do.  We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function

The Senior Owner’s Representative manages work associated with the construction and building analysis of RES projects.  The Senior Owner’s Representative participates in RES consulting projects including directly coordinating and managing all aspects of design and construction oversight.  This includes conducting site visits and analyses of buildings a client is evaluating for lease or purchase, conducting facilities assessments of buildings clients currently occupy, taking an active role in managing the design process of construction projects, managing all aspects of construction projects, project accounting and reporting, and managing client relationships during the construction phase of projects.  The Senior Owner’s Representative works on many real estate projects simultaneously, participates in departmental planning meetings for projects, is an active Project Team Member on projects, and supports the work of the Lead Owner’s Representative, Managing Director-RES Chicago and other RES staff as necessary.   

IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Requirements

Core Responsibilities: 

1. Conducts site visits of buildings for potential lease or purchase by clients, assesses buildings and their systems for suitability for client’s intended purpose, and provides analyses of such buildings. 

2. Conducts facilities assessments of clients’ existing facilities according to the policies and procedures of the RES Department, assesses facilities’ major systems, layout, structure and suitability for program purposes, analyzes data collected through facilities assessments, prepares cost estimates, and provides written and visual recommendations for modifications or improvements.

3. Coordinates services of architects and engineers and other professionals in connection with the design phase of projects.  Ensures that such professionals are providing services according to the project criteria set, and the project schedule and budget. 

4. During the predevelopment and construction phases of assigned RES projects, coordinates all aspects of construction management ensuring that project goals and milestones are being met.  

• Solicits bids from and secures various real estate professionals and vendors for work on projects.  Evaluates and makes recommendations on bids and negotiates terms of works and approves hiring of vendors.  
• Coordinates pre-construction work associated with projects including securing construction estimates and any other work necessitated by the project.
• Oversees securing permits for construction projects including meeting with government officials and addressing problems that arise to ensure permit is secured according to schedule.
• Assists with the negotiation of construction contracts and architectural contracts for construction projects.
• Reviews architectural plans, construction drawings and performance specifications for accuracy; identifies areas for costs savings and works with architects to produce plans that meet clients’ budgets.
• Manages relationships with contractor and architect during construction, attends construction meetings, reviews and keeps track of shop drawing submittals, reviews and approves change orders, and works toward resolving construction-related disputes that arise.
• Manages and tracks all project-related accounting such as project budgets, draw schedules, owner’s sworn statements, and change order logs to ensure that project stays within budget. 
• Assesses the status of projects against their plan and schedule, identifies actual or potential problems, and facilitates and guides solutions to ensure that the projects are completed as planned.
• Keeps management team and Project Team Leader apprised of progress through regular updates or meetings.

5. Assists Senior Project Manager to prepare development scenarios and cost estimates for clients.

6. Assists other Project Team Leaders as a Project Team Member in a supporting capacity and carries out duties as assigned by the Project Team Leader.  

7. Develops and improves systems and procedures for construction management within RES and trains other RES staff in these systems and procedures.  

8. Makes presentations to and facilitates meetings with clients, represents IFF Real Estate Services at meetings, presentations and events, and prepares written materials on projects for other IFF departments as needed. 

9. Manages construction or repair work associated with the IFF’s asset management portfolio as necessary, including visiting sites, assessing facilities, hiring vendors, and working on specific projects that arise related to IFF-owned buildings.     

10. Maintains required job knowledge and skills and core professional competencies.  Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings. 

11. Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.

12. Perform other projects as assigned.

Performance Measures: 

1. Successful completion of assigned projects according to goals set for each project, the project budget and schedule, and the RES department’s policies and procedures.  Completed projects meet quality standards.

2. Good working relationships with architects, contractors and other professionals as a result of work on projects.

3. Achieve and maintain the highest quality of work product and level of excellence for both internal and external clients.

4. Internal and external meetings are facilitated in an organized way and are meaningful to the participants.  Outcomes of these meetings are analyzed and well presented.

5. Written reports are complete, accurate and clear and follow policies and procedures. 

6. Oral presentations are clear, well organized, comprehensive and persuasive.  Appropriate supporting material and visual aids are well utilized and enhance the presentation.

7. In the role as Project Team Leader, Project Team Members are satisfied with how the project was organized and managed and the project’s outcomes; in the role as Project Team Member, Project Team Leaders are satisfied with work on the project.

8. Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing.  Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge. 

9. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.

10. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members.

11. Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment.  Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.

12. High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.

Position Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in architecture, engineering, construction management or urban planning or studies.  Advanced degree in real estate, architecture, construction management, engineering or planning preferred.

Previous Experience: At least five years of experience in architecture, engineering, construction management, facilities management, or real estate development required.

Special Knowledge & Skills:

1. Direct experience with real estate development projects.

2. Direct construction management experience.

3. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of construction practices and terminology. 

4. Demonstrated ability to read and understand architectural plans and drawings.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of a wide variety of construction materials, products and systems.

6. Analytical and strategic skills; ability to plan, manage, and implement multiple projects.

7. Ability to plan and implement complex projects.

8. Good communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

Additional Requirements:

Travel is required. The Senior Owner’s Representative’s work will primarily be in the Chicago Metro region.  Travel to additional IFF locations in the Midwest may be requested. The Senior Owner’s Representative will visit abandoned buildings and vacant lots and inspect them fully and inspect construction project sites.  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

IFF does not offer the following:

• relocation package
• 100% remote 
• provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above. Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.