Senior Analyst, Housing

ABOUT US |   At HR&A, we are problem solvers for cities.  

We guide decision-makers, including mayors and agency heads, real estate owners and developers, and non-profit leaders, to create impact when the stakes are high and the path forward isn’t clear. We believe in creating vital places, building more equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives, from Los Angeles to Brooklyn.       

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

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

THE PRACTICE |   The Housing Affordability Practice works at the state and community level to create and preserve homes that meet the needs of the community. We develop housing plans and strategies that address local housing needs and priorities. We design and implement solutions, from inclusionary zoning policies to affordable housing investment funds. And we underwrite and close housing transactions on behalf of mission-driven clients.  This range of work, from planning to deal making, makes us better at designing policies and tools that work in practice. We enjoy understanding and working with the complexities of the housing market to advance the public good, in partnership with our clients. 

Plans:  We create housing plans and strategies based on local needs and priorities. Most recently, we’ve created a housing plan that tackles affordability and climate resilience for Houston and Harris County and a regional strategy that responds to displacement challenges in Atlanta.  

Policies : We design and implement solutions, from inclusionary zoning policies to anti-displacement programs. We have studied the feasibility of office to residential conversions in Boston, social housing development in California, and rent control in New York. 

Transactions:  We helped craft Amazon's Housing Fund, a $3.6 billion commitment to preserve existing housing and create inclusive developments through below-market loans and grants, and continue to serve as one of its underwriting partners. We also launched the $150 million Central New York Housing Fund, supporting over 2,500 new homes in the Syracuse region. 

Digital Tools: The Housing Affordability Practice developed HousingWeaver , a housing market analytics platform designed to help you understand your housing market, develop policies and programs to address the housing needs of your community and track the impact of those policies and programs over time. We have used it to set housing production goals for the State of Maine, evaluate the suitability of public land for affordable housing in the Puget Sound Region, and estimate the impact of changes in land use regulations Montgomery County, MD.

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

THE ROLE | HR&A is seeking a full-time Senior Analyst to be based in our  Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC or Bay Area offices . Our analytical staff form the foundation of our team-oriented and collaborative structure and help to drive our data-driven approach to city building. 

Senior Analysts are early to mid career professionals with a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development (MRED), Business Administration (MBA), Urban Planning, Economics, or a related field and 4-6 years of professional experience. At HR&A, Senior Analysts support both analysis and project management. They are expected to execute rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis, develop the first draft of insights and deliverables using Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. They’re also expected to help project managers lead the analytical team, prepare for client meetings, and review fellow analysts’ work. 

Core skill sets of Housing Practice Senior Analysts include: 

• Familiarity with real estate and housing market economics  
• Housing policy and program analysis 
• Residential market analysis 
• Residential development modeling 
• Demographic and economic data analysis  
• Case study research
• Community engagement 

Desirable skill sets of Housing Practice Senior Analysts include: 

• Preparation of real estate pro formas for market rate or affordable housing feasibility 

• Ability to conduct detailed research of housing policies and programs 

• Ability to synthesize analysis into succinct takeaways and actionable recommendations 

• Conducting due diligence and underwriting for loans and investments in housing  

• Portfolio-level analysis of housing products and investments 

• Ability to proactively coordinate with colleagues and guide alignment on project expectations 

• Data analytics using Python, R or other programs 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | We are looking for candidates with strong quantitative and qualitative skills, a passion for urban development and housing and community development policy, and a deep curiosity about the challenges and opportunities facing cities today. Candidates should be highly motivated independent thinkers who are detail-oriented, entrepreneurial, and sufficiently poised for client interaction. Ideal Senior Analysts will bring a demonstrated capacity for active project team participation, leadership, critical thinking, creativity and other capabilities aligned with the roles and responsibilities described above, including: 

• 4-6 years of experience in urban planning or development, housing policy, public administration, real estate finance, economic consulting, or a similar field  

• Knowledge of California housing laws, regulations, and policies preferred  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Proficiency with PowerPoint, Excel, and Word 

• Ability to work on multiple assignments at once 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Real Estate, Finance, Urban Planning, Economics, or Public Policy 

• Master’s degree in Real Estate Development (MRED), Business Administration (MBA), Urban Planning, Economics, or a related field 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 three 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 base salary range for this position is $105,100 - $122,673 , depending on experience, plus the opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. We offer a competitive compensation package, 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 contributes funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other employee 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. Paid time off allowances for illness, vacations, scheduled holidays, and family needs are also included.  

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 LGBTQ+ 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 a 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 omit references to the undergraduate and graduate school you attended, but include your degrees earned (e.g., B.A. Economics). 

All qualified candidates will receive careful 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 [email protected] .