Market Development Analyst

Clark Construction Group•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Clark Construction is seeking a highly-motivated junior-level team member to serve as a Market Development Analyst. This role acts as the engine room for our regional growth strategy and serves as a key player supporting the regional executive team with client-engagement. Working directly under the Regional Project Development Lead, you will map the competitive landscape, identify the next major high-rise likely to be built before news agencies know, and curate the strategic presence of our leadership team at key industry gatherings. The mission of this position is to expand Clark’s Chicago market share by proactively uncovering target projects ahead of the competition and cultivating relationships that directly secure $50M+ opportunities we otherwise wouldn't have won.

Requirements

Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Economics, Construction, Engineering, Business, Real Estate, Economics, Construction Management, or a related field.
High energy with the ability to function effectively when there is not a clearly defined organizational process for every step of a task.
Energetic researcher who uses subscription services, social media scraping, and local news alerts to find the one contact or "off-market" project others missed.
Proficient (or soon to be proficient) in Salesforce, Google Earth/GIS mapping type-tools, and lead generation software (e.g., Dodge, Chicago Cityscape, YIMBY, Crain’s). Takes ownership of existing or potential software/subscription services.
Find a way to automate, using AI or other means, tracking of public and project status updates regarding potential RFPs/RFQs, zoning changes, land sales, etc.
Develop some sort of shared project interface (via Trello, Google Keep, etc.) to communicate the various efforts/progress of this position to keep leadership informed.
Comfortable and professional when interfacing with executive-level leadership; skilled at creating and refining graphics and data for initial communication and on-going tracking. Assertively communicate when clarity or action is needed (actively "manage-up").

Responsibilities

Maintain a "real-time" view of the regional pipeline using CRM tools, public articles, and geospatial mapping to track commercial projects. Map out all publicly known projects currently in approval, in design, and under construction.
Monitor public databases for upcoming public RFPs/RFQs well in advance of issuance (e.g. CDB projects, etc).
Act as the regional "scout" for industry organizations and events (e.g., REIA, Bisnow, ULI, NAIOP). Vet conferences and mixers to provide ROI-based recommendations for attendance, panel positions, sponsorship, etc. Interface with these organizations to evaluate and execute decisions made internally. Additionally, find unique ways to digitally strengthen Clark’s brand awareness to hyper-targeted audiences. Engage with communications team as necessary.
Investigate potential clients, stakeholders, and design firms to identify strategic connections. Build comprehensive profiles of potential clients, including their project histories, preferred designers, top professional concern. Monitor which events we should consider attending/sponsoring close to active/potential clients, and run lead on organizing appropriate attendees.
Support the regional lead in crafting creative intro strategies, actionable "Pre-Meeting Briefs," and helping develop "win strategies" for newly identified projects. Maintain a strong focus on relationship development over merely chasing immediate projects. "Manage up" by educating senior teammates on attractive leads and ensuring proper outreach is executed.
Develop and maintain a matrix of relationships and regularized touchpoints, to aid senior regional management in creating a culture of client engagement first. Follow up with relationship leads to ensure touchpoints.
Understand the comprehensive process of zoning and permitting approvals in Chicago by thoroughly mapping permit and zoning process nuances via detailed graphic representation/tool. Stay in the know of key code changes in the pipeline and proactively educate team members to ensure compliance and strategic advantage. Support regional leadership and project teams by conducting a ‘lunch-and-learn’ type meeting for knowledge sharing - keep key people informed with process updates.
Participate in project site walks to become familiar with unique technical aspects of our work, and developers’ brand standards, to use as leverage in discussions with potential clients. Develop a detailed understanding of why certain projects are more attractive than others to regional leadership.