As a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and community developer, IFF cares about much more than the bottom line. That’s why nonprofits trust us to plan, finance, and build the facilities that are critical to their success. Sharing a mission of change drives everything we do.

Across the Midwest, we work closely with clients serving low-income communities from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, housing developers, and grocery stores. Since 1988, we have made over $620 million in loans, leveraged $1.7 billion in community investments, and grown our total managed assets to $498 million.

Reports to: Managing Director, Community Data Insights
Department: Social Impact Accelerator – Community Data Insights
Location: Chicago, IL or Detroit, MI
Hybrid Remote: In office: T/W | Remote: M/Th/F

Department Function: IFF’s Social Impact Accelerator (SIA) Group is a cross-cutting team that sits at the nexus of nonprofits, communities, and IFF talent and expertise. The SIA Group provides thought leadership and expertise to drive corporate strategy across markets and Core Business Solutions, leads IFF’s work in comprehensive place-based solutions and special initiatives, evaluates IFF’s work for nonprofits and communities, and implements internal IFF initiatives. The Group includes Knowledge, Strategy and Impact, Talent Management, Development, and Vital Services. IFF’s knowledge, strategy and impact practice informs IFF strategy, supports outcome measurement, and produces actionable data for community partners - nonprofits, foundations, and municipalities.

The Community Data Analyst identifies, prepares and analyzes community datasets and extracts insights to solve real-world community development challenges for IFF and our community partners throughout the Midwest. As part of the Community Data Insights team, the Community Data Analyst will assist with development and implementation of quantitative data analysis plans and methods, including researching national, regional, and state data sources; collecting and cleaning data; conducting quantitative data analysis, with an emphasis on spatial analysis; developing data visualizations; extracting actionable insights from data trends, patterns and spatial relationships; and designing and developing web apps and tools. The Community Data Analyst must be a collaborative team player, intellectually curious, an advocate for the use of data to inform strategic decision making, and able to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Core Responsibilities:

• Acquires and prepares quantitative data from secondary sources to support internal and external projects.
• Develops and executes quantitative/spatial analysis plans and methodologies in support of small to midsized internal and external projects.
• Designs and produces data visualizations including maps, charts, and graphs that are easily consumed, aesthetically appealing, and visually impactful.
• Contributes to the development of reports, publications, and proposals.
• Develops innovative data tools and resources that support strategic decision making and learning for IFF and our partners.
• Participates on inter-departmental teams to complete multi-disciplinary projects that provide insights and solutions for internal and external clients.
• Develops and completes annual professional development plan, in consultation with supervisor.
• Attends and participates in required educational programs and staff meetings.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.
• Perform other projects as assigned.

Performance Measures

• Successful delivery of high-quality data analysis, insights, and data visualizations. Written drafts, outlines, analyses, visualizations, tools, reports, and presentations are complete, accurate, comprehensive, and clear.
• Consistent focus on high-impact, actionable research. Innovates to support clients and IFF as learning organizations.
• Successful completion of project tasks according to budget, timeframe and goals set forth at the beginning of each project and department’s policies and procedures.
• Engagement with colleagues, clients, sectors, and projects embodies value of life-long learning and professional development.
• Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.
• Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members.
• Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.
• High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.
• Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.

Position Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required. Preferably in urban planning, human geography, statistics, economics, or related field.

Previous Experience

Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative data analysis, GIS software and geospatial analysis. Minimum of three years relevant experience is required.

Special Knowledge & Skills

• Interest in, knowledge of, experience with, and willingness to learn about nonprofits, community development and issues facing low-income communities (e.g., education, housing, food access, and healthcare) is essential.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in ArcPro and ArcGIS Online with demonstrated ability to build custom online applications and sophisticated online GIS tools.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with statistical software programs such as SPSS, Stata or R Studio.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Python preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required.
• Exceptional data management and analysis skills using geographic, demographic, socio-economic, healthcare, education, housing, real estate, and economic data.
• Advanced critical-thinking skills exhibited by the ability to take information from a wide variety of sources and synthesize/analyze the information in the context of a research project.
• Ability to translate technical data into insights and visualizations meaningful to a broad audience. Effective and confident communicator.
• Ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Good relational skills, including with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Additional Requirements: Minimal regional travel may be required. Occasional evening and weekend work.