Economic Development Intern - SB Friedman

Title: Economic Development Intern

Type: 20 - 40 hours per week

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Salary: $22 per hour

Description: 

SB Friedman is seeking a summer 2025 graduate intern with an interest in economic development, real estate development finance and public-private partnerships. The graduate intern will be responsible for research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and data synthesis. No specific project for the intern is contemplated at this time; rather we will work to match the intern to currently available projects based on alignment with intern goals. The intern will work closely with other team members and will have an opportunity to work on a variety of projects, potentially including economic development policy research, market analysis in support of planning projects, financial feasibility analysis of proposed development projects, spatial analysis related to a range of projects, value capture for infrastructure, tax projections, and/or fiscal and economic impact analysis. 

To apply, please submit your resume with a list of three relevant courses and a work sample demonstrating quantitative analysis and/or mapping to jobs@sbfriedman.com. Deadline to apply is April 28th.

Who We Are 

SB Friedman provides analytical, strategic and financial consulting services in support of complex, high-impact development projects and community planning initiatives. We frequently assist in structuring and negotiating the public-private partnerships that are essential to successfully implementing projects. We serve a full range of clients in the public, private and nonprofit/institutional sectors. We work nationally with a focus on the Midwest. Clients include various major cities, suburbs, economic development corporations and other public bodies, not-for-profit institutions and private developers. 

What We Do 

SB Friedman is an interdisciplinary firm—a feature we believe is essential to providing high-quality consulting services in our field. As noted in our tagline: Vision | Economics | Strategy | Finance | Implementation, we provide a unique range of capabilities under one roof that support the life cycle of projects from initial conception to construction. By bringing expertise in real estate economics and financial feasibility, we help our clients engage in “fact-based visioning” processes that lead to successful development outcomes. Our understanding of planning/policy considerations shapes our recommendations regarding development financing and strategy. 

Why We Do It 

Our mission is to help our clients create equitable, resilient and well-designed communities through the practice of real estate economics, development finance and urban planning. We believe development should be a tool and a platform to better the lives of current and future community residents, with particular emphasis on those with less access to opportunity. To support these values, we plan and help finance transit-oriented communities, neighborhood nodes, affordable housing, mobility infrastructure, and facilities providing vital services, healthy foods and gainful employment.

Timeframe: 

The internship will be 20-40 hours per week from May to August depending on the intern’s preference and availability. At least 30 hours per week is preferred, spread over 4-5 days per week. The internship is hybrid, with the intern required to be in our Downtown Chicago office 3 days per week and working remotely (if desired) on other days. 

Compensation: 

$22 per hour This position does not include relocation assistance or housing. SB Friedman Development Advisors offers benefits to regular full-time and part-time employees. More information can be found at https://sbfriedman.com/careers. Interns are not eligible for benefits, except for those required by law. SB Friedman Development Advisors complies with the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, as it is amended from time to time. 

Qualifications: 

Successful candidates will be curious, critical thinkers that enjoy analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. In addition, the intern should have:

 • Academic or professional experience in quantitative analysis (demographic, economic, real estate market analysis, or other) and strong quantitative skills, particularly in Excel

• Experience with GIS (minimum of one masters level course or equivalent in undergraduate coursework) 

• Detail orientation and a focus on accuracy 

• Familiarity with real estate development finance is preferred

Contact: 

Caren Kay Senior 

Vice President 

jobs@sbfriedman.com