Principal, Inclusive Cities

March 11, 2024 / Comments Off on Principal, Inclusive Cities

ABOUT US |   HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our employees.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website.

THE PRACTICE | HR&A’s Inclusive Cities practice translates the ideas of communities and their advocates into meaningful systems change within local government. Working with visionary clients from grassroots activists to elected city and county leaders, we leverage our deep understanding of government, knowledge of local and private economic forces, and analytical rigor to promote social and economic justice. We launch programs that center racial equity, advance social and economic justice, and inform policy. We work with local governments to define, evaluate, and implement processes and policies that actively promote inclusion and serve their constituents. We partner with communities so that they can be the most effective at using the levers available to them to make more equitable projects, neighborhoods, and cities.

To learn more about the Inclusive Cities practice and recent/current projects, visit https://www.hraadvisors.com/inclusive-cities/.

THE DALLAS OFFICE | The person in this role will work out of our Dallas office which is located in the East Quarter of Downtown Dallas.  Opened in 2015, HR&A’s Dallas office anchors our services to diverse clients across Texas and the Southwest and has grown into a diverse and passionate team that collaborate with colleagues in Texas and across the country on some of the most consequential projects in the state and region. In just the last couple of years, HR&A has led or contributed meaningfully to the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan, implementation of the Ion Innovation District in Houston, visioning for Panther Island in Fort Worth, crafting of equitable TOD tools in Austin, real estate and innovation strategies for Dallas College, and analysis of the affordable housing gap in Dallas for the Child Poverty Action Lab. We serve public, private, and nonprofit clients across the state who are working to deliver some of the most creative, challenging, and transformative policies and projects.

The Dallas office is collegial, collaborative, and fun! You can read more about the first-hand experience of being part of HR&A’s team in Texas here.

ABOUT YOU | We are seeking a seasoned leader with experience managing significant initiatives that have strengthened a local government’s ability to address community needs to help lead projects within our Inclusive Cities practice, with a particular focus on deepening our impact in Texas and the Southwest.

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • Exceptional critical thinking skills, a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities involved in local governance, and a commitment to proactively address and advance economic justice and racial equity.
  • Substantial project management experience, with at least 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least five of these years in a leadership role managing a team.
  • Experience working on or leading fast-paced, collaborative teams, including scoping, structuring, creating, and reviewing deliverables, and producing high-quality, on-time results.
  • Expertise in local government operations and policy, with an understanding of core local government functions (such as developing and adopting a budget, procurement, or regulatory authority) and how they impact communities, real estate projects, businesses, and other ‘clients’ of government, and how these functions can be improved to be more effective and equitable.
  • Deep knowledge of one of the policy areas on which the Inclusive Cities practice focuses, with knowledge of effective practices that promote economic justice and racial equity within the policy area.
  • A strong local network, with demonstrated creditability among regional public, philanthropic, business, and/or community-based organizations.
  • Experience directly supporting executives and high-level decision makers, with a track record of developing analysis and recommendations to support them in making well-informed and impactful decisions.
  • Fluency in how political and power dynamics shape policy outcomes, with experience working directly with community members and their advocates to inform local government’s policies and practices.
  • Proven ability to lead teams and strengthen organizations, marked by being innovative, collaborative, decisive, and known for getting things done.
  • Quantitative expertise and the ability to interpret technical analysis to serve our clients, including an understanding of data’s limitations and a commitment to using it to quantify the ways in which inequity persists in cities and to project the impact of new policies, programs, and projects.
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of real estate, public finance, and/or community development, and the ways that public-private partnership, economic development tools, and other levers of government can influence projects in equitable (or inequitable) ways.
  • Exceptional writing and communication skills, including the ability to build a persuasive argument and effectively engage internal and external audiences.
  • Strong interpersonal skills that reflect honesty, integrity, respect, inspiration, and teamwork.
  • Strong project-level budgeting and financial management skills.
  • Patience, a sense of humor, humility, and willingness to be a teacher and learner within the company.
  • Ambition and creativity about new ways in which our company’s knowledge and expertise can be deployed.

THE ROLE | We are seeking a Principal to join us in our Dallas, TX office.
The Principal will manage multiple projects in ways that support our clients in deepening the impact of their work; serve as a thought leader who supports the growth of the Inclusive Cities practice, with an emphasis on Texas and the Southwest; serve as a senior leader in the Dallas office, supporting and mentoring staff and building HR&A’s brand and presence in Texas; and build community so other employee-owners see the Dallas office and the Inclusive Cities practice as intellectual and professional homes within the company.

A core responsibility of the Principal will be managing the newest phase of HR&A’s long-standing engagement with the City of Dallas focused on developing the tools, systems, policies, and practices for City leadership and staff to implement the Equitable Economic Development Policy. Since mid-2021, HR&A has been working with executive leadership, elected officials, and staff across many departments to craft policies and programs, engage communities, and implement actions that advance the mission and vision of the Policy, which focused on addressing barriers to equitable development in Dallas. In 2024-25, HR&A’s work with the City is focused on historic and cultural preservation, housing tools and programs, small business and workforce capacity building, and community development functions. Contributing to our role as advisors and staff capacity, the Principal will manage day-to-day project delivery, client communication, and team coordination in close collaboration with multiple HR&A Partners and staff across several offices (including the Dallas office), engaging regularly with senior leaders inside and outside City Hall.  Typically, Principals manage multiple projects and business development efforts concurrently. On each project, Principals are responsible for:

  • Working closely with the Partner to understand the client’s objectives and the context within which they work.
  • Working closely with the Partner to define the opportunity for impact and proposed strategic and analytic approach to supporting the client.
  • Developing proposals and pitch materials, and supporting the Partner in negotiating contracts, to solidify an agreement between the client and HR&A.
  • Creating proactive work plans, onboarding project team members, developing assignments and supervising all of the project team’s work, and managing project budgets – all in service of delivering high-quality work that positions our client to make the impact they seek.
  • Developing and maintaining strong partnership with the client, providing strategic guidance to support them in leveraging HR&A’s work to make the impact they seek.

Responsibilities of the Inclusive Cities Principal in Dallas will also include:

  • Close partnership with Partners in the Inclusive Cities practice and in the Dallas office to support the growth and development of their work.
  • Represent HR&A and the Inclusive Cities practice externally at events and in professional associations.
  • Develop and manage tools and methodologies that support the growth of the Inclusive Cities practice and upend traditional approaches to economic development such that the company’s overall work and other practice areas are enriched.
  • Engage in internal companywide activities that advance HR&A’s commitment to Anti-Racism.
  • Train and mentor staff across the company, especially in Texas.

HYBRID WORK POLICY | HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least two days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams.

COMPENSATION | The annual base salary range for this position is between $152,500 and $175,400. This role is also eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside this pay range is dependent on experience.  We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year. The firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, and high performing team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBT community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, click here. Please submit your cover letter and your resume as a single PDF document. Applications without this requested cover letter will not be reviewed.

As part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that mitigates bias and is based on candidate merit and performance, we ask that you submit a version of your resume and essay that has your school information removed. Please list your degree, e.g., B.A. Economics; however, remove all references to undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

Product Manager

February 16, 2024 / Comments Off on Product Manager

ABOUT US |   HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.       

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.      

From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.      

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments. 

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.   

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our employees.   

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website.    

THE OPPORTUNITY | HR&A is rapidly growing its capacity to deploy digital products to improve efficiency in our work and increase our offerings to clients. Over the past two years, HR&A has launched more than five public-facing digital products for state, county, and non-profit clients to support public policy goals and increase access to information about critical issues facing our cities, including housing affordability and access to broadband and digital equity programs. We are now seeking to scale some products for which we have found product-market fit, while also developing new products in response to client needs. 

THE ROLE | HR&A is seeking a Product Manager to support the rapid growth of our digital services offerings, primarily within our Broadband & Digital Equity and Housing Affordability practices. The person in this role will be based in our New York City office. This Product Manager should have 8 – 12 years of professional experience and will lead efforts to work directly with clients and across our practice area teams to execute on the development and delivery of innovative digital products. They will establish detailed plans for executing on contracts, coordinate efforts across teams to develop high quality and scalable digital products and work closely with Partners and Project Managers to represent both client and user needs in the development of new data and platform products. They may manage a single product for which we have found product-market fit and are seeking to scale or may help find product-market fit for multiple experimental products. 

The Product Manager will be primarily responsible for: 

  • Developing comprehensive technical workplans to deploy existing products or develop new products to meet client contracts. 
  • Coordinating various managerial and technical personnel, including contractors, during all project phases, from initial development through product implementation. 
  • Managing efforts across project teams and the broader HR&A Digital Products team to identify opportunities for product development or improvement. 
  • Communicating project status updates across project teams. 
  • Liasing and coordinating with project teams who are gathering user input and feedback and leading a prioritization process to incorporate this input in the products. 
  • Review and assure quality of technical work for staff working on projects. 

EXPERIENCE – SKILLS – ABILITIES | Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate experience, skills, or abilities in the following areas. 

  • Experience with agile software development practices, including managing scrums and planning sprints.
  • Experience managing fast-paced, collaborative teams and projects, including scoping, structuring, creating, and reviewing deliverables. 
  • Previous experience working in a technical consulting role or working directly with external stakeholders — comfortable communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 
  • Familiarity with strategic planning processes for product development, project management tools, and data-driven analytical approaches. 
  • Proficiency with cleaning, manipulating, and merging public, proprietary, and internal data sets for analysis.  
  • Proficiency with GIS required. 
  • Experience with census data, PUMS data, and other economic data required. 
  • Proficiency with Python preferred; with experience in using publicly available APIs to build web-based dashboards and tools. 
  • Experience developing clear and captivating data visualizations for a variety of audiences. 
  • Experience conducting geospatial, vicinity/buffer, site suitability, socio-economic, and demographic analysis using Geopandas preferred. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Capacity for leadership, critical thinking, and creativity. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | Eight to twelve years of relevant professional experience, including previous experience as a Product Manager. Experience in professional services is a plus. A bachelor’s degree with a focus on data science/analytics, geographic information science/analytics, urban planning/design/data, regional science/analytics, architecture, economics, business, public policy, real estate, or other related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred. 

HYBRID WORK POLICY | HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least two days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams. 

COMPENSATION | The annual base salary range for this position is between $129,000 and $146,600. This role is also eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside this pay range is dependent on experience.  We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year. The firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage. 

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, and high performing team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBT community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.    

To apply, click here. Please submit your cover letter and your resume as a single PDF document. Applications without this requested cover letter will not be reviewed.  

As part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that mitigates bias and is based on candidate merit and performance, we ask that you submit a version of your resume and essay that has your school information removed. Please list your degree, e.g., B.A. Economics; however, remove all references to undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended. 

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.    

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.    

Chief People and Culture Officer

November 8, 2023 / Comments Off on Chief People and Culture Officer

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities. For almost 50 years, we have been turning vision into action.

 

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, governments, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, and community development organizations.

 

HR&A is structured into Studios, which are diverse teams of Partners, Senior Advisors, consulting employees, and administrative employees who work across a variety of projects together. Each of these communities supports project staffing, mentorship, and business planning, and creates clear accountability for the quality of an employee’s experience.

 

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. Our New York office serves as our headquarters. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

 

HR&A Mission

Our mission is to ensure implementation of our clients’ aspirations: to create vital places, build more equitable and resilient communities, and improve people’s lives. We accomplish our mission by deploying the extraordinary analytic and creative talent of our employee-owners, who come from a diversity of backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are motivated by complex challenges, dedicated to our clients, and fulfilled by making lasting impact.

 

Value to Our Clients

We provide clients with strategic guidance, economic analysis, and implementation planning to attract private and public investment, grow economies, and make communities more just, resilient, equitable, and joyous. We achieve results. We do so by helping build collaborations among public, private, non-profit, and civic actors; working at the intersection of economics, policy, and design; harnessing market forces to achieve civic objectives; and establishing financial and organizational feasibility.

 

Analytic rigor, creative energy, and focus on impact fuel all our efforts. We help our clients define their goals and solve their problems by drawing on our almost half a century’s history of success working across a broad range of projects, client types, places, and issues.

 

We believe that growth – of economic resources, educational opportunity, technological advancement, and public dialogue – is essential to our clients’ success. Growth enables market capacity to create opportunities and government capacity to deliver services, which are prerequisites for more equitable outcomes.

 

What Drives Us and Defines Us

We are committed to helping our clients and ourselves to do better. We not only help clients identify solutions but also to ask better questions, enabling them to make transformational impact. We set them on a path to creating better job opportunities, building stronger communities, attracting more investment, achieving more equitable outcomes across race, class, and gender, and realizing a more sustainable and resilient future.

 

Our breadth of practice fuels our curiosity and ingenuity, makes us better practitioners, and strengthens our engagement with the complexities that are central to much of our work. We serve clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors, across a broad and expanding range of issues. Our clients’ goals are diverse and sometimes contradictory. For almost 50 years we have excelled at navigating the complexities of serving this diversity of interests and perspectives, which has increased our ability to advance our clients’ objectives.

 

We are committed to developing and rewarding our people. We are employee-owned. This fact alone requires us to demand excellence of ourselves. Every employee who works on a project is invested in its success. In return for this commitment to excellence, we provide the opportunity to build wealth based on employee performance and the firm’s long-term success. Our commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) is essential to who we choose to be. We continuously reflect on our role and that of our field in perpetuating inequities, refine our understanding of these conditions, and address their impact on our workplace and our work.

 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) will lead the people and culture function, building strategies, systems, and processes that drive growth and center ADEI. Providing strategic leadership and human resources expertise, the CPCO will ensure that HR&A Advisors has the right people to meet its goals and drive impact. The Chief People and Culture Officer will also create and execute strategies for the full suite of people and culture programs such as deploying people to client projects, recruitment, retention, performance management, professional development, benefits, ADEI, and employee engagement.

 

The Chief People and Culture Officer will manage a team of six HR and talent professionals, and build the team for future growth.

 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 

Organizational Culture

  • Serve on HR&A’s executive leadership team to set organization-wide strategy and develop operating plans
  • Lead and promote an organizational culture that embraces HR&A’s mission and values; maintain a workplace reflective of those values with an emphasis on HR&A’s commitment to ADEI
  • Engage and facilitate People and Culture related decision-making processes (e.g.: hiring, promotions, and resource allocation) with five Studio Leaders
  • Drive HR&A’s Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) initiatives across the organization, building a culture that fosters high performance, respect, and belonging
  • Communicate effectively with HR&A’s People Committee and Board of Directors, ensuring all Board members clearly understand the organization’s talent and recruitment strategy

 

Team Management

  • Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing and diverse team of subject-matter experts
  • Mentor and lead the People and Culture team, by developing a strategy and holding everyone accountable for meeting objectives with an eye towards both developing the team as professionals and holding them accountable for meeting goals
  • Create a customer-oriented team culture, focused on providing robust strategic and tactical support
  • Serve as an exemplar for inclusive and equitable team management, modeling HR&A’s ADEI values in managerial practices

 

Talent Acquisition

  • Oversee organization-wide staffing strategy, ensuring the recruitment function has clear hiring goals, robust plans for building diverse slates; and equitable selection processes
  • Lead evaluation of recruitment processes on an ongoing basis, report findings, and make recommendations for future processes based on insights and lessons learned
  • Identify and track key performance indicators to assess current processes, create dashboards that enable real-time tracking and continuous improvement
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers to support them in their recruiting decisions

 

HR Administration and Employee Relations

  • Provide proactive leadership and professional expertise in all areas of human resources management, including benefits, payroll, employee relations, compliance, and performance across full-time employees and contractors
  • Work with leaders to share best practices, provide counsel, and support the human resources needs of the studios
  • Create systems and processes to track employee engagement across the Studios to better understand performance, opportunities, and challenges
  • Advise leaders in troubleshooting staff-related matters such as performance issues and conflict resolution
  • Work with HR&A’s professional employer organization, Insperity, to support the creation of best-in-class benefits and HR supports

 

Professional Development and Performance Management

  • Evolve the current performance review process to further enable managers to provide meaningful and actionable reviews
  • Work with managers throughout the organization to help define, establish, and communicate annual goals for team members, and ensure that managers are tracking progress against goals
  • Develop systems and strategies that drive continuous learning; create opportunities for training, coaching, advising, and mentoring to drive performance
  • Identify training opportunities, as appropriate, to extend HR&A’s capabilities, ensuring that team members have the opportunity to address development needs, attend conferences, and participate in other courses and convenings
  • Identify key leaders across the studios; ensuring that those leaders have the resources they need and are given appropriate mentoring

 

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

  • At least 15+ years of professional experience, with 5+ years leading an HR strategy, organizational development, culture development, employee relations, and/or talent management function, in a large professional services context strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion, with the ability to serve as an exemplar for HR&A’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and a history of success in leading organizational initiatives around the recruitment and retention of diverse talent and stewarding a culture with strong racial ADEI practices
  • Strong business acumen and strategic thinking, with the ability to position the organization toward the future, looking beyond the present situation to conceptualize key trends and identify changing market demands. Ability to translate these insights into objectives and break them down into meaningful action steps
  • Exceptional relationship building and influencing skills, with the ability to develop trusting relationships at all levels and across identities
  • Extensive experience overseeing the full suite of people and culture programs, including talent acquisition, employee relations, human resources administration, professional development, and performance management
  • Track record of building, leading, and coaching effective, diverse high performing teams; skilled at managing/working across lines of difference
  • Collaborative approach to executive leadership, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to meet goals and improve organizational performance

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The base salary range for this position is $220,000-$260,000. Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience. HR&A offers competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.

 

HR&A is an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. HR&A also provides a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, dental and vision coverage. For more information about HR&A benefits, please visit: www.hraadvisors.com/careers.

 

HOW TO APPLY

HR&A is working with On-Ramps to support the search for our next Chief People and Culture Officer. To apply for this role, please submit your application via On-Ramp’s application portal.

 

Additional Applicant Information

HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Like HR&A, On-Ramps is deeply committed to equity. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose.On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.

 

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

 

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Chief Finance and Operating Officer

November 8, 2023 / Comments Off on Chief Finance and Operating Officer

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities. For almost 50 years, we have been turning vision into action.

 

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, governments, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, and community development organizations.

 

HR&A is structured into Studios, which are diverse teams of Partners, Senior Advisors, consulting employees, and administrative employees who work across a variety of projects together. Each of these communities supports project staffing, mentorship, and business planning, and creates clear accountability for the quality of an employee’s experience.

 

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. Our New York office serves as our headquarters. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

 

HR&A Mission

HR&A’s mission is to ensure implementation of our clients’ aspirations: to create vital places, build more equitable and resilient communities, and improve people’s lives. We accomplish our mission by deploying the extraordinary analytic and creative talent of our employee-owners, who come from a diversity of backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are motivated by complex challenges, dedicated to our clients, and fulfilled by making lasting impact.

 

Value to Our Clients

We provide clients with strategic guidance, economic analysis, and implementation planning to attract private and public investment, grow economies, and make communities more just, resilient, equitable, and joyous. We achieve results. We do so by helping build collaborations among public, private, non-profit, and civic actors; working at the intersection of economics, policy, and design; harnessing market forces to achieve civic objectives; and establishing financial and organizational feasibility.

 

Analytic rigor, creative energy, and focus on impact fuel all our efforts. We help our clients define their goals and solve their problems by drawing on our almost half a century’s history of success working across a broad range of projects, client types, places, and issues.

 

We believe that growth – of economic resources, educational opportunity, technological advancement, and public dialogue – is essential to our clients’ success. Growth enables market capacity to create opportunities and government capacity to deliver services, which are prerequisites for more equitable outcomes.

 

What Drives Us and Defines Us

We are committed to helping our clients and ourselves to do better. We not only help clients identify solutions but also to ask better questions, enabling them to make transformational impact. We set them on a path to creating better job opportunities, building stronger communities, attracting more investment, achieving more equitable outcomes across race, class, and gender, and realizing a more sustainable and resilient future.

 

Our breadth of practice fuels our curiosity and ingenuity, makes us better practitioners, and strengthens our engagement with the complexities that are central to much of our work. We serve clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors, across a broad and expanding range of issues. Our clients’ goals are diverse and sometimes contradictory. For almost 50 years we have excelled at navigating the complexities of serving this diversity of interests and perspectives, which has increased our ability to advance our clients’ objectives.

 

We are committed to developing and rewarding our people. We are employee-owned. This fact alone requires us to demand excellence of ourselves. Every employee who works on a project is invested in its success. In return for this commitment to excellence, we provide the opportunity to build wealth based on employee performance and the firm’s long-term success.

 

Our commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) is essential to who we choose to be. We continuously reflect on our role and that of our field in perpetuating inequities, refine our understanding of these conditions, and address their impact on our workplace and our work.

 

ABOUT THE POSITION

As a key member of HR&A’s leadership team, the Chief Finance and Operation Officer (CFOO) will play a critical role in the overall strategic management of the organization, setting and driving financial and operational goals for HR&A’s $50M+ — and growing — business. Working with the CEO, the CFOO will lead strategic analyses as HR&A continues to scale and deepen its impact, with the goal of creating an organization that will increase profitability and remain financially sustainable into its next generation of leadership.

 

This individual will also serve as a thought partner to organizational leaders on ongoing finance and operational strategy while continuing to build and coach the finance and operations technology teams.

 

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer will manage over ten finance and operations professionals and build the team for future growth.

 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

Executive Leadership

  • Serve on HR&A’s executive leadership team, collaborating with other executive leaders to help drive the organization’s vision, strategy, and cultural development
  • Partner with leadership, staff, and consulting teams, to foster a collaborative, communicative work culture, centered in HR&A’s commitment to ADEI
  • Build systems and processes that will enable the studio, people, growth, finance, and operations teams to work together collaboratively and effectively
  • Communicate effectively with HR&A’s Finance Committee and Board of Directors, ensuring all Board members clearly understand the organization’s financial health and sustainability

 

Team Management

  • Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing and diverse team working across key infrastructure areas, including strategic finance, accounting, knowledge management, IT systems, and facilities
  • Mentor and lead the finance and operations team, with an eye towards both developing the team as professionals and holding them accountable for meeting goals
  • Create a customer-oriented team culture, focused on providing timely and accurate information, along with robust finance and operations support
  • Serve as an exemplar for inclusive and equitable team management, modeling HR&A’s ADEI values in managerial practices

 

Financial Leadership

  • In partnership with the CEO and leadership team, develop financial strategy for HR&A setting short- and long-term financial goals through sophisticated financial forecasting and scenario planning, informed by accurate and real-time financial information
  • Drive firm’s overall profitability, leading strategic pricing, revenue, cash flow, and expense strategies that lead to continued growth and sustainability
  • Continue to optimize financial and analytics platforms (Including Sage Intact, Salesforce, and Concur, among others) to provide robust information to organizational leaders, enabling enterprise-wide real-time reporting and decision-making
  • Embed a commitment to HR&A’s ADEI objectives by centering those objectives in the organization’s approach to financial management (i.e.:with respect to vendor management and resource allocation)
  • Working closely with the finance team, oversee the annual budgeting process; monitor progress and changes
  • Working closely with the accounting team, oversee both internal and external reporting, including ensuring compliance with GAAP and all applicable local, state, and federal laws
  • Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to all relevant key stakeholders on an ongoing basis

 

Systems and Information Technology

  • Create a thoughtful technology strategy that drives growth and enables the executive team and senior staff (partners and project managers) to have ongoing access to data
  • Lead the oversight of HR&A’s knowledge management infrastructure, enabling real-time, robust access to best-in-class current resources and tools, creating guidelines and oversight for the studio teams
  • Ensure HR&A is working with the most up-to-date tools and resources available, and is readily able to leverage technological systems and solutions to meet goals
  • Lead planning to ensure connectivity, internal communications, and knowledge management; keep abreast of appropriate ways to enhance HR&A’s technology infrastructure as it grows
  • Oversee HR&A’s infrastructure, and manage internal staff, to ensure HR&A has the technology to work both efficiently and effectively

 

Compliance and Risk Management

  • Oversee staff to ensure HR&A maintains strong systems and processes that enable full compliance and reporting with all federal, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements
  • Oversee staff managing federal and state contracts to ensure contracts are secured, allocated, budgeted, tracked, and in compliance
  • Lead organization-wide management of legal affairs, insurance, and other risk management strategies

 

Facilities

  • Manage staff to ensure robust and effective support on facilities for staff across all regions
  • Oversee staff in office space planning and lease negotiations, as appropriate
  • Oversee vendor management, space planning, relocations, and disaster planning during relevant planning periods

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

  • At least 15+ years of professional experience, with 5+ years leading the finance function for a complex organization and experience overseeing and streamlining systems to enable growth, in a large professional services context strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion, with the ability to serve as an exemplar for HR&A’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values
  • Extensive experience overseeing financial operations, including budget development, financial forecasting, and complex accounting
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships working with staff at all levels, especially senior executives
  • Track record of translating big picture strategy into workable systems for day-to-day operations
  • Demonstrated success improving financial and operational policies, processes, and procedures
  • Track record of building, leading, and coaching effective, diverse high-performing teams
  • Commitment to inclusive leadership and to stewarding a culture with strong anti-racist, diversity, equity and inclusion practices; skilled at managing/working across lines of difference
  • Collaborative approach to executive leadership, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to meet goals and improve organizational performance

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The base salary range for this position is $250,000-$300,000. Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience. HR&A offers competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.

 

HR&A is an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. HR&A also provides a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, dental and vision coverage. For more information about HR&A benefits, please visit: www.hraadvisors.com/careers.

 

HOW TO APPLY

HR&A is working with On-Ramps to support the search for our next Chief People and Culture Officer. To apply for this role, please submit your application via On-Ramp’s application portal.

 

Additional Applicant Information

HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Like HR&A, On-Ramps is deeply committed to equity. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose.On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.

 

Additional Applicant Information

HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

 

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Director (Contractor)

September 28, 2023 / Comments Off on Director (Contractor)

ABOUT US |   HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

THE ROLE | We are seeking candidates for a Director position based in an HR&A office in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, or Washington D.C., which serve clients nationally. The Director will have the opportunity to work across a variety of HR&A practice areas, with initial emphasis on Broadband & Digital Equity work and will play a role in shaping the future of HR&A’s Broadband & Digital Equity Practice. Our Broadband & Digital Equity team serves as an extension of state and local governments’ broadband and digital equity efforts to design and manage large-scale programs to close the digital divide, funded largely by historic investments from the federal government and collaborations with philanthropy.

Successful candidates will have relevant project management experience in economic development, broadband & digital equity, real estate, or related consulting fields, and must demonstrate critical analytic thinking skills to serve our clients, possess a passion for intelligent urban development, and have a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities. Day-to-day tasks will require managing internal and external teams to complete complex real estate and economic assignments, including pro forma analysis for a range of uses, market feasibility research, fiscal and economic impact studies, public-private partnership strategy, and public policy design.

The Director will develop, review, and present client deliverables – including memos, reports, and PowerPoint presentations – and will support the firm’s business development efforts. Successful candidates will bring a strong foundation of real estate, broadband & digital equity, or economic development expertise and an interest in creative public-private solutions, as well as significant capacity for leadership.

Experience Required | Director candidates should have 8 – 12 years of work experience in broadband/digital equity planning, economic development, real estate, public policy and/or consulting in a related field. Candidates should also have a master’s degree, preferably in real estate, city planning, economic development, and/or business. Considerable additional experience in a closely-related field may also be substituted for a graduate degree. Preference will be given to candidates whose experience includes project management for consulting engagements in a relevant field.

In addition to considerable experience in program management, real estate, and economic analysis, the candidate must also possess substantial project management experience, excellent writing and presentation skills, and mentorship capabilities. Candidates should be highly motivated independent thinkers with sufficient poise for direct client interaction. The most successful candidates will show potential for rapid professional growth.

COMPENSATION | Director candidates should have a master’s degree, 8 – 12 years professional experience, previous responsibility for client deliverables, project management experience, and capacity for leadership.

The base salary range for this position is $126,000 – $143,500.  Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience.  We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.  This position is a full-time temporary contractor role for a maximum of three years that works alongside HR&A teams, where employment is via HR&A’s employment partner, Magnit.  Magnit benefits include health and wellness benefits and paid holidays.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, and competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document (maximum of 2 pages) here. If you have a digital portfolio, include a link within your cover letter. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed.

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

Director

September 28, 2023 / Comments Off on Director

ABOUT US |  HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our staff.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website here.

THE ROLE | We are seeking candidates for a Director position based in an HR&A office in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, or Washington D.C., which serve clients nationally. The Director will have the opportunity to work across a variety of HR&A practice areas, with initial emphasis on Broadband & Digital Equity work and will play a role in shaping the future of HR&A’s Broadband & Digital Equity Practice. Our Broadband & Digital Equity team serves as an extension of state and local governments’ broadband and digital equity efforts to design and manage large-scale programs to close the digital divide, funded largely by historic investments from the federal government and collaborations with philanthropy.

Successful candidates will have relevant project management experience in economic development, broadband & digital equity, real estate, or related consulting fields, and must demonstrate critical analytic thinking skills to serve our clients, possess a passion for intelligent urban development, and have a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities. Day-to-day tasks will require managing internal and external teams to complete complex real estate and economic assignments, including pro forma analysis for a range of uses, market feasibility research, fiscal and economic impact studies, public-private partnership strategy, and public policy design.

The Director will develop, review, and present client deliverables – including memos, reports, and PowerPoint presentations – and will support the firm’s business development efforts. Successful candidates will bring a strong foundation of real estate, broadband & digital equity, or economic development expertise and an interest in creative public-private solutions, as well as significant capacity for leadership.

Experience Required | Director candidates should have 8 – 12 years of work experience in broadband/digital equity planning, economic development, real estate, public policy and/or consulting in a related field. Candidates should also have a master’s degree, preferably in real estate, city planning, economic development, and/or business. Considerable additional experience in a closely-related field may also be substituted for a graduate degree. Preference will be given to candidates whose experience includes project management for consulting engagements in a relevant field.

In addition to considerable experience in program management, real estate, and economic analysis, the candidate must also possess substantial project management experience, excellent writing and presentation skills, and mentorship capabilities. Candidates should be highly motivated independent thinkers with sufficient poise for direct client interaction. The most successful candidates will show potential for rapid professional growth.

COMPENSATION | Director candidates should have a master’s degree, 8 – 12 years professional experience, previous responsibility for client deliverables, project management experience, and capacity for leadership.

The base salary range for this position is $126,000 – $143,500. This role is also eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience.  We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, and competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document (maximum of 2 pages) here. If you have a digital portfolio, include a link within your cover letter. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed.

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g., “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting

September 5, 2023 / Comments Off on Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting

ABOUT US | HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Raleigh, and Dallas.

We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our Staff.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website.

THE OPPORTUNITY | This role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled candidate to showcase their expertise and make a significant impact. As the Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting, you will have ownership of key finance and accounting processes and be responsible for ensuring accurate timely accounting reporting. You will lead a team, mentor staff, and guide them toward professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence. Additionally, you will have the chance to implement process improvements, drive efficiency, and contribute to the overall growth and success of the company.

The volume of work is growing and includes processing $60 million in top-line revenue and client invoices across 500+ active annual projects for the Accounts Receivable team, processing $38 million in operating expenses and vendor bills for the Accounts Payable team and managing payroll transactions of approximately $24 million per year. The AP team handles around 800-1,000-line items per month related to corporate credit and banking transactions, as well as regular Accounts Payable (AP) and Business Operation Expenses.

RESPONSIBILITIES | The Senior Manager of Finance and Accounting is a mid-level role for someone with 6 – 8 years of professional experience who will own the core accounting and financial compliance workflows and management of the accounting team.  Under the leadership and direction of the Chief Operating Officer, collaborates in driving internal stakeholders to align with financial objectives of the firm.

Day-to-day tasks range from project to project and include:

  • Overseeing all aspects of finance and accounting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting.
  • Management of the accounting team to ensure quality of work and performance, and drive results aligned with Management’s business financial strategy and needs.
  • Fostering a culture of mentorship and guidance within the team by providing support, training, and knowledge sharing across the Accounting and Finance function.
  • Ensuring that the Accounts Receivable (AR) team processes invoices and ensures timely collections.
  • Supervising the Accounts Payable (AP) payment processes and ensuring that the AP team accurately codes transactions.
  • Overseeing cash expenditure aligned with firm goals and cost management principles.
  • Maintaining the general ledger through reclassifications, reconciliations, and adjustments.
  • Managing the general ledger, including preparation and posting of journal entries for accurate reporting.
  • Coordinating and performing fiscal month, quarter, and year-end closing activities.
  • Completing reconciliations for bank accounts and recording necessary adjustments.
  • Updating monthly invoice tracker, Open AR list, Backlog values, and dashboards.
  • Manage the operating budget, including monitoring, tracking and evaluating the development of the firm’s operating expenses against approved budgets and provide strategic recommendations and analytical insights to prevent drastic variances of forecasted results.
  • Special projects related to business financial management as needed, e.g., annual budget preparation, financial systems data integration, etc.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Successful candidates will bring strong analytical, project management, and relationship management capabilities aligned with the role and responsibilities described above, including:

  • Proficiency in Sage Intact, Concur, and Salesforce.
  • Advanced Excel proficiency with strong data analysis skills and methodologies.
  • Expert knowledge of technical accounting terminology and practices.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to lead, manage and motivate a team.
  • Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
  • Strong problem-solving critical thinking skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Service-oriented attitude with a focus on delivering quality work.
  • Background in professional services, such as architecture, engineering, or consulting (preferred).
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA beneficial)

COMPENSATION | The annual salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 plus the opportunity for a year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience. We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Options Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document at https://hraadvisors.applytojob.com/apply/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed.

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g. “B.A. Economics”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

Director, Equitable Economic Development

July 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Director, Equitable Economic Development

ABOUT US | HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our employees.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website.

THE WORK |HR&A’s Equitable Economic Development practice is focused on development, policy and planning that centers the needs of existing residents and businesses. Anchored in analytics, the Equitable Economic Development practice helps communities to understand market dynamics, pressures and opportunities. We pilot innovative community-focused approaches to replace the traditional analytic approaches that perpetuate inequality with knowledge, strategies and tools that empower low-income residents and businesses to build communities that resonate for them and help them benefit from the fruits of public investment and urban transformation. We craft policies that support wealth building, equitable participation in the workforce and housing stability.

We are focused on building relationships within the public, non-profit and philanthropic sectors to identify opportunities and build HR&A teams that are both excited and committed to empowering communities. Our teams become experts working alongside communities and institutions to develop and implement innovative, equitable approaches, strategies, and tools.

ABOUT YOU |

  • At least 8 years of relevant work experience, including working with public sector leaders and/or community-based organizations at the city, county, state, and/or federal level. At least two years of experience supervising teams and significant projects.
  • Knowledge of the issues confronting California cities and local stakeholders; with additional emphasis for candidates that bring demonstrated creditability and network within a specific field of community, economic development, or economic justice.
  • Proven leadership abilities marked by being innovative, collaborative, decisive; and possess a reputation for getting things done.
  • Strong quantitative expertise in real estate, finance, and or economics and the ability to interpret technical analysis to serve our clients, including an understanding of its limitations and commitment to innovate with new approaches.
  • Strong interpersonal skills that reflect honesty, integrity, respect, inspiration and teamwork
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to inspire confidence and passion with both internal and external audiences
  • Strong budgeting and financial management skills
  • Ability to “manage up”, while giving honest and direct advice to advance firm and practice initiative
  • Strong facilitation and presentation skills before multiple types of audiences
  • Experience with complex stakeholder and project management
  • Patience, a sense of humor, humility, and willingness to be a leader to build the Equitable Economic Development practice as an intellectual and professional home within the firm.

THE ROLE | HR&A Advisors is seeking a strong project manager to join our Los Angeles office and help build our Equitable Economic Development practice. Competitive candidates will bring 8 years of experience in a field that intersects with urban policy and planning, deep history and strong industry connections in California or a specific field of community development, economic development or economic justice, and an understanding of the interrelated systems that perpetuate racial disparity and inequitable economic development. The Director, Equitable Economic Development will manage projects, build trusting and productive relationships with clients and stakeholders, and find creative ways to be of service to a diverse list of clients. The Director will support the development of Partner Judith Taylor’s work in equitable economic development and equitable transit-oriented and real estate development, anti-displacement strategies, and wealth generation. The Director will support authentic community and stakeholder engagement, lead analytic assessment and strategy development to help determine and provide knowledge of the economic tradeoffs related to development and policy to better empower the community.

We welcome candidates who crave impact and thrive in mission-driven, stimulating environments.

At HR&A, Directors manage multiple projects and business development efforts concurrently. Project timelines and scopes are highly variable at HR&A and often span between several weeks and several months, with Directors managing multiple projects at any given time. They will be responsible for:

  • Creating project work plans,
  • Managing project budgets,
  • Directing the analytical work of project teams,
  • Ensuring the quality and timeliness of deliverables,
  • And developing productive working relationships with clients.

Responsibilities of the Equitable Economic Development Director will also include:

  • Working for and with Partner Judith Taylor to support the growth, strategy, and priorities of her Equitable Development Practice.
  • Work with staff to support the development of skills to help them learn the methodologies and approaches involved with equitable development and upend traditional approaches to economic development consulting.
  • Represent HR&A and the Equitable Development practice externally at events, professional associations, and in networks.
  • Engage in internal firmwide activities that advance HR&A’s commitment to Anti-Racism.
  • Train and mentor staff across the firm, including in multiple offices.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | We are looking for candidates with management and leadership experience in the public, private, or non-profit sector, who bring deep curiosity about the challenges facing cities today, and a passion for equity and systems change.

Successful candidates:

  • Possess ability to lead teams and projects while navigating multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
  • Can produce sophisticated quant analysis towards equitable economic development, equitable transit-oriented and real estate development, anti-displacement strategies, and wealth generation.
  • Possess exceptional critical thinking skills, a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities of economic opportunity, quality of life, and the built environment, and a commitment to proactively address and advance racial justice, equity, and anti-racism.
  • Have a deep understanding of the social, political and economic context of the Los Angeles region or other regions in California.
  • Bring a strong background and/or foundation in economic development, community development, real estate analysis, public policy, city government, real estate analysis or nonprofit management as an important reference point for our work.
  • Bring experience in consulting or comparable client-facing functions in a relevant field and/or a leadership setting within an economic development, local government agency, or social justice-focused organization such that they can demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects at one time in ways that are impactful, adaptive, persuasive.
  • Experience managing fast-paced, collaborative project teams of 3-6 members; (experience managing multiple teams or projects simultaneously a plus)
  • Possess substantial writing and presentation skills, sufficient poise for direct client interaction, and mentorship capabilities.
  • Are ambitious and creative about new ways in which our firm’s knowledge and expertise can be deployed.

COMPENSATION | The salary range for this position is $126,500 to $143,500. We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.  We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, and dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document (maximum of 2 pages) online at https://hraadvisors.applytojob.com/apply/. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed.

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g. “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

 

Director, Inclusive Cities

April 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Director, Inclusive Cities

ABOUT US |   HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.

We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.

From Brooklyn to Los Angeles, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations and governments.

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our employees.

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website.

THE WORK | HR&A’s Inclusive Cities practice leverages our deep understanding of government, knowledge of local and private economic forces, and analytical rigor to promote social and economic justice.

We center racial equity and economic justice in economic development, policy, and planning. We help our clients to identify who will benefit from economic development initiatives and show them how to design and execute more equitable projects, neighborhoods, and cities. We engage communities and grassroots organizations through deep engagement, and through that process, we build new trust and durable partnerships. We launch new programs and community-driven projects to increase awareness and participation in our civic discourse, which is essential to shifting traditional economic development paradigms. We embolden visionary public servants with the tools they need to embed equity into their policy and practice. We serve as a bridge between ideas and implementation in truly changing systems, from workforce development to criminal justice, so that lives are changed for the better.

To learn more about the Inclusive Cities practice and recent/current projects, visit https://www.hraadvisors.com/inclusive-cities/.

ABOUT YOU |

  • At least 8 years of relevant work experience, including working with public sector leaders and/or community-based organizations at the city, county, state, and/or federal level. At least two years of experience supervising teams and significant projects.
  • Knowledge of the issues confronting Southern California, local stakeholders, and issue areas of the Inclusive Cities practice; with additional emphasis for candidates that bring demonstrated creditability with Southern California public, philanthropic, and community-based organizations
  • Proven leadership abilities marked by being innovative, collaborative, decisive; and possess a reputation for getting things done;
  • Quantitative expertise and the ability to interpret technical analysis to serve our clients, including an understanding of its limitations and a commitment to using it to quantify the ways in which inequity persists in cities and to project the impact of new policies and programs.
  • Strong interpersonal skills that reflect honesty, integrity, respect, inspiration and teamwork
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to inspire confidence and passion with both internal and external audiences
  • Strong budgeting and financial management skills
  • Ability to “manage up” and meet the demands and agendas of multiple executive leads, while giving them honest and direct advice to advance firm initiatives and manage risk.
  • Strong facilitation and presentation skills before multiple types of audiences
  • Experience with complex stakeholder and project management
  • Patience, a sense of humor, humility, and willingness to be a leader and inspire HR&A staff and Inclusive Cities practice as an intellectual and professional home within the firm; and to facilitate full participation and leadership by staff and partners alike.

THE ROLE | HR&A Advisors is seeking a strong project manager to join our Los Angeles office and help build our Inclusive Cities practice. Competitive candidates will bring 8 years of experience in a field that intersects with urban policy and planning, deep history and strong connections in Los Angeles, and an understanding of the interrelated systems that perpetuate racial disparity and inequitable economic development. The Director, Inclusive Cities will manage projects, build trusting and productive relationships with clients and stakeholders, and find creative ways to be of service to a diverse list of clients. The Director will support the development of Partner Judy Taylor’s work on economic development and anti-displacement strategies, value capture, transit-orient development, and wealth generation as well as support the growth of Partner Andrea Batista Schlesinger’s Inclusive Cities practice. HR&A’s Inclusive Cities practice centers racial equity and economic justice in economic development, policy, and planning. Leveraging analytic rigor and meaningful community engagement, we work with partners inside and outside of government to disrupt the traditional processes of economic development, build greater political power for marginalized communities, increase accountability of local governments, and institutionalize mechanisms for more just and equitable cities. We welcome candidates who crave impact and thrive in mission-driven, stimulating environments.

At HR&A, Directors manage multiple projects and business development efforts concurrently. Project timelines and scopes are highly variable at HR&A and often span between several weeks and several months, with Directors managing multiple projects at any given time. They will be responsible for:

  • Creating project work plans,
  • Managing project budgets,
  • Directing the analytical work of project teams,
  • Ensuring the quality and timeliness of deliverables,
  • And developing productive working relationships with clients.

Responsibilities of the Inclusive Cities Director will also include:

  • Close partnership with the Los Angeles Office Partners to support the growth, strategy, and concurrent priorities of the Inclusive Cities practice.
  • Serve as a leader in the Inclusive Cities practice by building community among staff who are working on Inclusive Cities projects and supporting skills development for HR&A staff to help them learn the methodologies and approaches incubated within the Inclusive Cities practice
  • Represent HR&A and the Inclusive Cities practice externally at events, professional associations, and in networks.
  • Develop and manage tools and methodologies that support the growth of the Inclusive Cities practice and upend traditional approaches to economic development consulting such that the firm’s overall work and other practice areas are enriched.
  • Engage in internal firmwide activities that advance HR&A’s commitment to Anti-Racism.
  • Train and mentor staff across the firm, including in multiple offices.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | We are looking for candidates with management and leadership experience in the public, private, or non-profit sector, brings deep curiosity about the challenges facing cities today, and a passion for equity and systems change.

Successful candidates:

  • Possess exceptional critical thinking skills, a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities of economic opportunity, quality of life, and the built environment, and a commitment to proactively address and advance racial justice, equity, and anti-racism.
  • Have a deep understanding of the social, political and economic context of the Los Angeles region.
  • Bring a strong background and/or foundation in economic development, public policy, city government, real estate analysis or nonprofit management as an important reference point for our work.
  • Bring experience in consulting or comparable client-facing functions in a relevant field and/or a leadership setting within a social justice-focused organization or local government agency such that they can demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects at one time in ways that are impactful, adaptive, persuasive.
  • Experience managing fast-paced, collaborative project teams.
  • Possess substantial writing and presentation skills, sufficient poise for direct client interaction, and mentorship capabilities.
  • Are ambitious and creative about new ways in which our firm’s knowledge and expertise can be deployed.

COMPENSATION | The salary range for this position is $126,500 to $143,500. We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience.  We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, and dental and vision coverage.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document (maximum of 2 pages) online at https://hraadvisors.applytojob.com/apply/. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed.

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g. “B.A. Communications”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.

Director, Civic Engagement Programs

January 30, 2023 / Comments Off on Director, Civic Engagement Programs

THE PRACTICE| Over the next decade, the federal government, states, localities, philanthropies, and private businesses are projected to spend $200 billion on new Broadband and Digital Equity programs. HR&A’s Broadband and Digital Equity practice is built to provide a full suite of strategic planning, staffing, program management, and implementation services to maximize the impact of this historic funding.

Whether we’re helping State Broadband Offices deliver their Broadband and Digital Equity plans, supporting municipalities to structure public-private partnerships and digital inclusion services, or building capacity in community anchor institutions and nonprofits, our work is focused on designing and delivering sustainable programs and partnerships that close the digital divide and promote economic opportunity for all.

THE OPPORTUNITY | The Federal Government and its partners in State and local governments, Tribal governments, community anchor institutions and nonprofits, and technology businesses will spend nearly $200 billion over the next decade to transform the nation’s broadband infrastructure and advance digital inclusion programs to achieve digital equity. Over the next year, this work includes expansive statewide planning campaigns, as well as municipal and community-based planning efforts, with a goal of ensuring that historic investments in universal, affordable broadband access build more inclusive, dynamic, and equitable economies, education and healthcare systems, and government services. Our team is leading or supporting several such efforts for states, counties, cities, and nonprofits across the country, and we are seeking a Director of Civic Engagement Programs to work nation-wide across our project teams to design, lead, and manage expansive civic engagement campaigns that elevate the voices of historically marginalized communities in the decision-making process for State and local governments.

Ideal candidates will have deep experience in successful execution of civic engagement strategies that are inclusive, multi-pronged, and comprehensive in collecting input that will inform public program design and prioritization, including with local governments, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, households and businesses experiencing inequitable access to technology, and other stakeholder groups. Knowledge of local, regional, or national stakeholder ecosystems and mobilization opportunities are key to this role. Candidates should have experience engaging the following populations, defined in the Digital Equity Act of 2021, including: Aging individuals, Incarcerated or formerly incarcerating individuals, Veterans , Individuals with disabilities, Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners or have low levels of literacy, Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group, Individuals who primarily resident in a rural area.

The Director of Civic Engagement Programs will be dedicated to HR&A’s Broadband & Digital Equity Practice, and primary responsibilities will include:

  • Developing and managing civic engagement programs including conducting workshops, focus groups, information sessions, surveys, and other public-facing programs, strengthening digital equity ecosystems in communities across the country
  • Managing the team’s CRM and practice-wide relationships with civic engagement partners both locally and nationally, including developing stronger partnerships with organizations that serve specific populations with demonstrated digital equity needs, providing them with stronger platforms and content to mobilize grassroots digital equity organizing
  • Shaping Statewide and Local Digital Equity Plans and program designs that foster broadband adoption – including subscriptions for internet services, device distribution programs, and digital skills building – and ensure that public investments lead to more equitable economic, educational, healthcare, workforce, essential services, and other social infrastructure outcomes
  • Developing new programs for reaching historically marginalized populations that can be supported by forthcoming government, philanthropic, and institutional grant opportunities

Preferred qualifications:

  • At least eight to twelve years of experience in successful execution of civic engagement programs that are inclusive, multi-pronged, and comprehensive in collecting input that will inform public program design and prioritization, including an exceptional ability to provide quantitative data from engagement programs to drive government decision-making
  • A clear passion for digital equity, economic empowerment, and systems change in government and community empowerment
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in digital inclusion programming, advancing broadband adoption, and/or community-based empowerment programs
  • Deep understanding of and experience with government operations at the state and local levels
  • Experience advancing projects through local, county, and or state government processes such as procurements, budgeting, governance planning, and public engagement
  • Substantial project management experience leading multiple fast-paced, collaborative teams simultaneously that include scoping, structuring, creating, reviewing deliverables, and producing high-quality on-time results
  • Demonstrated capacity for leadership, mentorship, critical thinking, and creativity
  • Desire to build the Broadband & Digital Equity practice by leading engagements, training staff, promulgating best practices nationally, and advancing thought leadership
  • Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) with a focus on public policy, economics, urban planning, business, or other closely related fields

COMPENSATION | The annual salary range for this position is $126,500 to $143,500.   Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience.  This position is a full-time temporary contractor role for a maximum of three years that works alongside HR&A teams, where employment is via HR&A’s employment partner, Magnit. Magnit benefits include health and wellness benefits and paid holidays.

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document at https://hraadvisors.applytojob.com/apply/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications without a cover lever will not be reviewed. 

We ask that you submit a version of your resume that has your school information removed. There is no need to reformat your resume, and you should leave your degree (e.g. “B.A. Economics”). But please remove all undergraduate and graduate school name references. This request is part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that is free from bias and based on candidate merit and performance in the hiring process.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Learn more at https://www.hraadvisors.com/broadband-and-digital-equity/.

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.