Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC), founded on November 17, 1972, as an Illinois Not-For-Profit Charitable Corporation, is a community-based institution dedicated to serving the social and cultural needs of Chicago’s Puerto Rican/Latino community. Built on principles of self-determination, self-actualization, and self-reliance, PRCC operates with the motto, “To live and help to live.” Named after the renowned Puerto Rican poet and political leader, Juan Antonio Corretjer, PRCC is committed to providing a space where individuals come together to address pressing issues, recover their history, and celebrate their culture through music, poetry, and drama.

PRCC is actively involved in economic and community development and plays a pivotal role in creating and sustaining Barrio Borikén—an area that celebrates Puerto Rican culture and supports small businesses and working families. In addition to its many programs, PRCC owns several properties in Humboldt Park, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the community.

POSITION OVERVIEW :
The Real Estate Development Director will lead PRCC's real estate development efforts as part of the economic development initiatives within the Barrio Borikén project. The Director will focus on acquiring properties, coordinating renovations, supporting small businesses, and securing funding to foster sustainable development in the community. This role requires expertise in managing commercial real estate development projects, including capital coordination, property acquisitions, design, construction, and tenant recruitment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Lead property acquisitions to further the goals of the Barrio Borikén economic development project.
• Manage the renovation and upgrading of building stock in alignment with the community’s needs.
• Provide support to small businesses seeking renovated storefronts, including securing financing and facilitating leasing processes.
• Secure capital for real estate development activities, including grants, loans, and other funding sources.
• Assess and manage financial feasibility of real estate projects, preparing budgets, and conducting due diligence.

• Conduct property research through public online systems (e.g., tax records, zoning, building code violations) to identify opportunities.
• Coordinate and manage external consultants and vendors (attorneys, architects, property managers, brokers) for real estate projects.
• Support local entrepreneurs and community developers in advancing their commercial real estate projects (e.g., grant application support, city approvals, outreach).
• Track and analyze economic development indicators (vacancy rates, business mix, building permits) for commercial corridors.
• Facilitate the implementation of economic development strategies aligned with the Barrio Borikén vision.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals of PRCC
• Volunteer during the 4 major events of the PRCC. (Three Kings Day, PR Peoples Parade, Fiesta Boricua, Haunted Paseo)

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Familiarity with the Englewood community or similar urban communities.
• Direct experience in managing real estate development projects, including budgets and proformas.
• Experience in applying for and managing funding sources such as grants, loans, and tax credits (e.g., TIF, NMTC, LIHTC).
• Working knowledge of community development tools and incentives (e.g., TIF, NOF, SBA financing).
• Strong project management skills to effectively handle complex real estate development tasks.
• Ability to drive consensus and coalition-building to achieve project goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong financial analysis skills and proficiency in software such as Excel.
• Flexible schedule, with willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, economic development, construction, or a related field; or equivalent experience.

Type of Job

• Classification: Exempt
• Job Type: Full-time
• Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

OSHA Category 3 – Involves no regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Tasks involving such exposure are not part of the employment requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement :
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. PRCC provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other basis or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. PRCC is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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