Real Estate Development Jobs in Illinois

Real Estate Development jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, concentrated in commercial, mixed-use, and affordable housing development, with openings for analysts and project coordinators through senior development managers and vice presidents. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most dynamic real estate development environments in the Midwest, with additional activity in Naperville, Evanston, and the broader Chicagoland suburbs. Major employers with lasting Illinois presences include Clayco, Golub and Company, and Related Midwest, with consistent demand for professionals specializing in entitlements, financial underwriting, and public-private partnership projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Real Estate Development Jobs

Overview

Open roles5
Top employerJPMorganChase
Top cityChicago, IL
Work type50% Remote
Top credentialBachelor's degree
Companies hiring5

Showing 5 of 5+ Real Estate Development jobs

JPMorganChase
Structured Finance Management - Commercial Real Estate, Community Development Banking - Associate
We won't show you this job again
JPMorganChase
Added 1d ago
Structured Finance Management - Commercial Real Estate, Community Development Banking - Associate
JPMorganChase
Chicago, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
$75k - $108k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Hartman Executive Advisors
Business Development Executive - Supply Chain, Construction, Real-Estate
We won't show you this job again
Hartman Executive Advisors
Added 3d ago
Business Development Executive - Supply Chain, Construction, Real-Estate
Hartman Executive Advisors
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$150k - $225k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree
11-50

Have you applied for this role?

Full Circle Communities
Managing Director of Real Estate Development
We won't show you this job again
Full Circle Communities
Added 2mo ago
Managing Director of Real Estate Development
Full Circle Communities
Chicago, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
$185k - $200k/yr
Bachelor's degree

Have you applied for this role?

Hunt Military Communities
Real Estate and Development Counsel
We won't show you this job again
Hunt Military Communities
Added 2mo ago
Real Estate and Development Counsel
Hunt Military Communities
Chicago, Illinois
Business Development
Construction Management
Project Management
$143k - $186k/yr
Remote (US)
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

East Lake Management
Real Estate Development & Acquisitions Analys
We won't show you this job again
East Lake Management
Added 3mo ago
Real Estate Development & Acquisitions Analys
East Lake Management
Chicago, Illinois
Accounting
Business Analysis
Investment Operations
Bachelor's degree in finance
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

Looking for more real estate development jobs?

Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.

See related jobs

See All 5 Real Estate Development Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Real Estate Development Jobs

Real Estate Development Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
5 jobs

Real Estate Development Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

JPMorganChase
JPMorganChase1 open role
East Lake Management
East Lake Management1 open role
Full Circle Communities
Full Circle Communities1 open role

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in real estate development jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, or a related field
  • Experience with project underwriting, proforma modeling, and deal structuring
  • Familiarity with Illinois municipal entitlement and zoning approval processes
  • Proficiency in Argus, Excel, or comparable real estate financial modeling software
  • Demonstrated experience managing development timelines from site acquisition through construction
  • Strong understanding of public financing tools including TIF and low-income housing tax credits

Real Estate Development Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a real estate development in Illinois?

Most real estate development roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in real estate, urban planning, finance, or a related field, followed by direct project experience. Illinois does not issue a specific state license for real estate developers, but many employers require or strongly prefer an Illinois real estate broker license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A master's degree in real estate development or an MBA strengthens candidacy for mid-level and senior positions.

Which companies hire real estate developments in Illinois?

Employers hiring real estate developments in Illinois right now include JPMorganChase, East Lake Management, and Full Circle Communities, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois also sees consistent hiring from institutional developers, REITs, and nonprofit community development organizations, particularly those active in Chicago's opportunity zones and suburban mixed-use corridors.

Which Illinois cities have the most real estate development jobs?

Chicago have the most real estate development openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it hosts the headquarters of major development firms, institutional investors, and large nonprofit housing developers, while suburbs like Naperville and Evanston generate openings through commercial redevelopment and transit-oriented mixed-use projects anchored by local government and university-affiliated institutions.

Are there remote real estate development jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Real estate development is fundamentally a site-dependent discipline, requiring on-the-ground work with municipalities, contractors, and community stakeholders. About 100% of real estate development openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and these tend to be concentrated in analytical roles such as financial underwriting, market research, and acquisitions rather than project management or entitlements positions.

How can I get hired as a real estate development in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a real estate analyst or development associate role, which large Illinois firms such as Clayco, the Chicago Housing Authority, and community development financial institutions use to bring in early-career candidates. Adjacent roles in commercial real estate brokerage, urban planning, or construction project coordination are common stepping stones. Earning an Illinois real estate broker license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and building a proforma or financial modeling portfolio significantly strengthens entry-level applications.

Where can I find and apply to real estate development jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to real estate development jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the suburbs, and downstate markets. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 5 Real Estate Development Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Real Estate Development Jobs