Market Development Analyst

About the role

Clark Construction | Chicago, IL Clark Construction is seeking an ambitious, high-performing Market Development Analyst to help drive regional growth across the greater Chicago market. If you have considered a high-energy career in corporate consulting, commercial real estate, or private equity, and want the reward of seeing your creative grit turn into a high-rise construction project, this job is for you.

Acting as a core intelligence engine for our regional leadership, you will analyze emerging market opportunities, evaluate early-stage development pipelines, and support executive client-engagement strategies while transforming qualitative and quantitative market data into client development and project pursuit efforts. This role requires the ability to figure things out without a playbook.

In return, you'll work directly alongside leadership and operate within the front end strategy of the business at a pace you simply won't find elsewhere early in your career. External Engagement: Attendance at evening industry/client events several times per month. Travel: Limited, beyond the Chicago area. Reporting To: Private Development Preconstruction Lead, while supporting the northern regional executive team.

Pay and benefits

Market Intelligence & Pipeline Tracking: Build and maintain comprehensive visibility into the regional development pipeline (both private and public). Monitor commercial real estate activity, capital investments, and upcoming public-sector solicitations across conceptual, planning, and design phases. Stakeholder & Account Mapping: Conduct targeted deep-dive research into key developers, capital, and design firms.

Synthesize historical project data, key executive relationships, and client priorities into actionable intelligence profiles. Strategic Industry Engagement: Serve as the regional scout for industry forums and professional associations. Vet events to deliver clear ROI recommendations for leadership attendance, sponsorships, and panel presence, coordinating Clark's visibility across high-impact circles.

Executive Briefing & Strategy Support: Equip executive leadership with comprehensive pre-meeting briefs, relationship matrices, and strategic talking points ahead of key client interactions. Actively track follow-ups to maintain consistent client touchpoints. Make recommendations on where we should be deploying our resources when appropriate.

Regulatory & Planning Analysis: Track municipal planning trends, zoning updates, and city council approval pipelines across the Chicago area to identify development momentum early. Translate regulatory changes into strategic insights for internal teams.

Operational Integration: Collaborate closely with project delivery and estimating teams, participating in project walk-throughs to translate technical differentiators into compelling business development narratives. Pricing Data Ownership: Ensure our budget data is maintained, organized, and ready to leverage for ongoing preconstruction efforts.

Preconstruction Support: Occasionally participate in preconstruction efforts, vetting new subcontractors, soliciting/leveling bids, assisting with budget development, getting subcontractors under contract, and related duties. Owner Contract Support: Occasionally support owner contract review, exhibit development, and related duties, as we transition from preconstruction to the delivery phase.

The Ideal Candidate Experience: Approximately 2-5 yrs in professional environments, will consider notable coursework and internship experience. Education: Bachelor's (or higher) degree in Business, Real Estate, Economics, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related experience.

Creative Resourcefulness: An energetic, inquisitive researcher adept at leveraging open-source intelligence, public filings, paid subscription services, and local market indicators to surface off-market leads and non-obvious stakeholder connections. Self-Starter Mentality: High initiative with the ability to thrive in an autonomous, fluid environment.

Comfortable setting priorities and driving projects forward with minimal day-to-day oversight. Analytical & Technical Aptitude: Proficient (or capable of becoming proficient quickly) with modern CRM systems, geospatial/mapping tools, and commercial market intelligence databases. Eager to optimize automation and AI-driven workflows to streamline data aggregation and maintenance.

Executive Presence & Communication: Confident, polished, and capable of synthesizing complex data into clear visual formats along with written/verbal executive summaries for senior leadership. Skilled at "managing up" to maintain alignment and momentum across client/project development efforts.

Clark offers a total compensation package that includes base salary, bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package including health/dental/vision benefits, paid time off, retirement/401k, and Company Contribution plan.

Additional benefits include life insurance, commuter benefit, short & long term disability, fitness reimbursement, FSA, tuition reimbursement, back-up daycare, tutoring & family support benefits, EAP/Work-Life assistance, and a holiday contribution program.

For this role the base salary range is $80,000 - $100,000 Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Base pay is one part of the Total Compensation Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work.