Hunden Partners is a great place to work! As a 2024 Inc. 5000 company, Hunden seeks team members who share our passion to work hard, tell the truth, and partner with our clients to improve the world, one destination at a time.
Learn more about the available positions below and then click on "Apply Here" to start your application. We accept applications on a rolling basis and will keep your application on file for six months from the date you complete the application and assessments.
Project Manager
Analyst / Senior Analyst
Intern (spring, summer, or fall)
HR Generalist
Project Manager
Project Managers are an integral part of a team-based approach to provide clients with the honest and unbiased reports and analyses they have come to expect for nearly 20 years. Project Managers are trusted by upper management, senior analysts, analysts and most importantly, clients, to lead projects in a timely manner with the utmost integrity and quality. Projects Managers report to the EVP of Consulting.
Objectives of the Role
- Lead projects, as directed by the EVP of Consulting, including research, interviews, and data analysis and synthesize into coherent, supportable, logical and easy to understand reports, presentations, models, charts, and mapping that are trusted by Hunden leadership and clients
- Support senior leadership, including all other EVPs, in the execution of client work
- Be an on-call resource for clients, Project Managers, EVPs and others as directed related to project management
- Coach, train, teach and mentor Analytics Managers, Senior Analysts, and Analysts in the development of their project execution skills and content creation
- Continually innovate new and effective ways to assess and present client reports and processes to increase integrity, efficiency and client satisfaction
- Lead by example and set the highest expectation for project management practices at the firm, including the expert execution of all elements of feasibility, impact and placemaking studies
- Actively advance aspects of advisory work as directed by EVPs
- Continuously improve all Hunden processes, products, and other aspects of Hunden’s brand promise
- Ensure that deliverables will be defensible against the most strenuous tests and expectations from clients, lenders, bond counsels, municipal financial advisors, and private developers
- Support aspects of business development and lead generation as appropriate
Job Responsibilities
- Project Management. Lead multiple projects simultaneously and achieve client and firm deadlines while delivering the utmost level of quality. Lead client relationships, including tailoring communications to advance appropriate project work/phases. Innovate ways of producing results for clients. Manage project budgets, staff time, travel, and research costs.
- Storytelling and Writing. Master report and process storytelling. Edit report components and memos to improve quality, train others and tell a coherent story built on data and other sources.
- Train, Mentor, Coach. Guide senior analysts, analysts, and interns in all aspects of their roles, including, but not limited to effective use of software, client communication, work logic, internal company communication, culture and behavior. Oversee strategy for due diligence trips, including team assignments.
- Master Financial, Market, Real Estate Analyses. Master market logic for all project types. Innovate, edit, and master models for all project types. Determine strategic project scenarios and budgets for all project types. Master SWOT analyses, headlines and recommendations.
- Client, Stakeholder, Expert Source Interactions. Lead client presentations and meetings, understand how to ‘read a room’ and advance Hunden and client goals while doing so. Master the strategic and logical thought for survey creation.
- Provide servant leadership and act as an example of the best of what a Hunden leader should be.
- Industry Trends. Investigate new industry trends to remain on the cutting edge of all covered industries and guide project teams to create slides to summarize the most relevant industry trends as related to projects.
- Business Development. Actively participate in and lead aspects of lead calls and new client conversations. Actively lead conference efforts to generate new clients via conversations, presentations, and outreach. Actively participate in proposal editing (scope, timing, fees, client communication). Continue client communication after project completion to maintain relationships, move to future phases of work or market additional lines of business to existing clients.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Key Competencies
- Proven ability to deliver excellent work within timelines, balance multiple projects simultaneously, and thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Proven ability to lead, manage, and work within a team
- Professional experience determining specific needs for projects and leading clients through strategy
- Specialized expertise in research, analytics and financial modeling
- Strong writing and speaking skills
- Organizational skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Expertise in other software, data sources, and related resources utilized by the firm
Preferred Skills of the Role
- Proven experience in a relevant role, and/or
- At least two years of experience as a Senior Analyst, and/or
- Five or more years of related experience
Apply Here
Analyst / Senior Analyst
Analysts are an integral part of a team-based approach to provide clients with honest and unbiased reports and analyses clients have come to expect for nearly 20 years. Analysts perform routine assignments, as directed by Project Managers, and contribute to nearly every aspect of Hunden’s core services: destination strategy and placemaking action plans; market, financial feasibility, and economic and fiscal impact studies; and development advisory services. Analysts report to the EVP of Consulting.
Objectives of the Role
- Develop competence through the completion of structured work assignments
- Use existing procedures to solve routine or standard problems
- Receive instruction, guidance, and direction from others
- Seek ways to contribute to the firm beyond the existing and structured parameters in order to increase responsibilities and professionally develop beyond the Analyst position
Job Responsibilities
- Financial, Market, Real Estate Analyses. Learn and execute basics of study output, including financial, market (competitive supply and demand), real estate, economic, demographic, SWOT, and industry trends.
- Client, Stakeholder, Expert Sources Interactions. Learn and execute process items required to complete studies, including scope review and project planning, kickoff memos, interviews, scheduling meetings, developing itineraries, and presenting findings to client and stakeholders. Attend client meetings. Create, edit for logic, and conduct surveys.
- Financial Modeling. Complete different types of financial modeling based on client and scope needs including budgets, market models, calculating real estate taxes, financial models, etc.
- Travel to Clients and Project Sites and Conferences. Travel with other Hunden team members for kickoff meetings and additional due diligence trips, as needed. Travel to conferences when deemed necessary and develop leads.
- Storytelling and Writing. Ensure written reports meet the Hunden writing, style, and grammar standards. Create and write report components and memos. Communicate in writing the rationale, research, and analysis used to determine recommendations.
- Update, contribute to, and utilize the Hunden research databases.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Key Competencies
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills
- Strong writing and speaking skills
- Organizational skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Ability to work well under timelines
- Ability to work within a team
- Ability to manage multiple competing deadlines simultaneously
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) proficiency
Preferred Skills of the Role
- Proven experience in a relevant role
Apply Here
Intern (spring, summer, or fall)
An internship at Hunden Partners is mutually beneficial for both the intern and the firm as the intern contributes to a team-based approach to provide clients with reports and analyses and the firm provides a training and “real-world” work environment for the intern to learn on the job. Interns perform routine assignments, as directed by Senior Analysts and Project Managers, and contribute to Hunden’s core services: destination strategy and placemaking action plans; market, financial feasibility, and economic and fiscal impact studies; and development advisory services. Interns report to the EVP of Consulting.
Objectives of the Role
- Train on the multitude data sources used to complete analyses and reports
- Complete project tasks for various projects to assist analysts and project managers
- Participate in all aspects of a project, including organization, kick-off, research, analysis, written reports, and presentation
- Conduct research and prepare PowerPoint presentation of findings for a conference; attend conference
Job Responsibilities
- Financial, Market, Real Estate Analyses. Learn and execute basics of study output, including financial, market (competitive supply and demand), real estate, economic, demographic, SWOT, and industry trends.
- Client, Stakeholder, Expert Sources Interactions. Learn and execute process items required to complete studies, including scope review and project planning, kickoff memos, interviews, scheduling meetings, developing itineraries, and presenting findings to client and stakeholders. Attend client meetings.
- Financial Modeling. Complete different types of financial modeling based on client and scope needs including budgets, market models, calculating real estate taxes, financial models, etc.
- Travel to Clients and Project Sites and Conferences. Travel with other Hunden team members for kickoff meetings and additional due diligence trips, as needed. Travel to conferences when deemed necessary.
- Storytelling and Writing. Ensure written reports meet the Hunden writing, style, and grammar standards. Create and write report components and memos. Communicate in writing the rationale, research, and analysis used to determine recommendations.
- Update, contribute to, and utilize the Hunden research databases.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Key Competencies
- Excel proficiency
- Analytical and mathematical skills
- Writing and speaking skills
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well under timelines
- Ability to work within a team
- Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) proficiency
Apply Here
HR Generalist
The role of HR Generalist brings a resourcefulness and people-focused approach to supporting Hunden Partners. With an in-depth understanding of HR functions and the flexibility to support employees across various HR activities in multiple states, this role will manage payroll, benefits, recruitment, employee relations, and more, serving as an important presence in the corporate office.
Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite, 5 days a week)
Status: Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reports To: Chief People Officer
Status: Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Reports To: Chief People Officer
Objectives of the Role
- Ensure Accurate and Timely HR Operations: Oversee multi-state payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance reporting, to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Foster a Positive Employee Experience: Act as a reliable, approachable HR presence in the Chicago office, to support employees in navigating HR policies, benefits, and company culture to enhance engagement and retention.
- Drive Effective Talent Acquisition and Onboarding: Manage end-to-end recruitment for open positions, identify top candidates, and deliver a seamless onboarding experience that prepares new hires for success.
- Support Performance Management and Employee Development: Facilitate the performance review process, encourage constructive feedback, and support a culture of continuous growth and development.
- Contribute to a Compliant and Proactive HR Environment: Assist in policy creation, documentation, and audits to maintain an up-to date, legally compliant HR framework, while proactively identifying opportunities to improve HR processes and employee support.
Job Responsibilities
Payroll and Compliance:
- Administer and oversee the bi-weekly payroll process, ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Serve as the primary contact for payroll-related questions, resolve issues promptly and collaborate with Finance as needed.
Benefits Administration:
- Lead benefits administration, including open enrollment, benefits education, and troubleshooting of employee concerns.
- Administration and troubleshooting of HR and benefits systems, including working with vendors on issues related to feeds.
- Maintain compliance with federal and state requirements, and support annual renewals and plan updates.
- Conduct regular benefits-related audits and generate reports, such as for workers’ compensation, health benefits enrollments, and compliance tracking.
Employee Relations and Performance Support:
- Provide guidance on employee relations matters, including administration of disciplinary action, address workplace concerns, and support a positive company culture.
- Administer performance review cycles, coach managers through best practices and ensure timely completion of reviews and documentation.
- Collaborate with outside legal counsel on matters as appropriate.
Talent Acquisition and Onboarding:
- Manage end-to-end recruiting processes, from job postings and interviews to hiring decisions and onboarding.
- Ensure a seamless onboarding experience for new hires, setting the stage for a positive employee journey.
Policy Development and Documentation:
- Assist in developing, updating, and communicating HR policies and procedures to ensure they align with organizational goals and legal standards.
- Maintain the employee handbook and support the rollout of policy changes as needed.
HR Operations and Projects:
- Be a consistent and supportive HR presence in the Chicago office, serve as a point of contact for employees, answer employee questions, maintain records, and manage daily HR operations.
- Participate in HR projects, partnering with the Chief People Officer and other leadership, to improve processes, enhance culture, and address any emerging challenges.
Other Duties as Assigned:
- Step into cross-functional projects or tasks outside of HR when needed to support the business’s evolving needs.
- Assist with general office operations or company initiatives where your skills can add value.
- Collaborate with team members to address unforeseen challenges and contribute to a cohesive, agile startup environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience. Candidates with relevant HR certifications (e.g., aPHR, PHR) are encouraged to apply, and certifications may substitute for a degree.
- 3-5 years of HR experience, ideally in a generalist or multi-functional HR role. Familiarity with Paylocity or similar payroll software and experience with benefits administration, recruiting, and employee relations.
- Payroll administration experience in a multi-state company.
- Strong knowledge of HR best practices and labor laws, specifically in Chicago, IL (multi-state experience a plus).
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills with high attention to detail and discretion.
- Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment, building strong relationships across teams.
Key Competencies
- Attention to Detail: Thoroughly and accurately handles HR documentation, payroll data, and benefits information to ensure compliance and data integrity.
- Problem-Solving: Approaches employee concerns and HR challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, balancing empathy and organizational needs.
- Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information to employees, managers, and external partners, whether explaining complex policies or discussing sensitive issues.
- Time Management and Organization: Manages multiple HR functions and deadlines efficiently, including payroll, recruitment, benefits, and employee relations.
- Confidentiality and Integrity: Demonstrates discretion and maintains confidentiality with sensitive HR and payroll data.
- Adaptability and Initiative: Responds well to evolving HR needs and proactively seeks improvements in processes or employee support.
- Technical Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of HRIS systems (e.g., Paylocity), MS Office, and payroll software.
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