• Job Description

  Req#: 5243276
  Salary : $73,026.46 - $85,983.30 Annually
  Location : Madison, WI
  Job Type: PERMANENT FULL TIME
  Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
  Job Number: 2026-00083
  Department: Economic Development Division
  Opening Date: 03/04/2026
  Closing Date: 3/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
  Comp. Group/Range: 18/6
  
  General Description
  The City of Madison is hiring Real Estate Development Specialists
  This position works in the Economic Development Division of the Department of Planning, Community, and Economic Development (DPCED) providing professional financial analysis and project management work in the real estate field. This work includes responsibility for the planning, coordination and implementation of economic development projects, and the review and analysis of public financing projects and instruments. This work is characterized by independent judgment and discretion in real estate development activities, and coordination with various ad-hoc inter/intra-departmental project teams. Work is performed under the supervision of the Real Estate Development Manager and/or the oversight of higher level Real Estate Development Specialists.
  
  IMPORTANT: THERE ARE 2 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.
  YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.
  (To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)
  **APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.**
  
  Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the
  Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
  
  Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
  Project Management
  
  • Draft term sheets, City resolutions, and loan agreements, prepare for financial closings, manage disbursement requests, and track long-term compliance of projects receiving City financial assistance, often through the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) program.
  • Create and amend TIF districts, including drafting project plans, budgets, required notices, resolutions and managing timelines.
  • Maintain TIF information systems and databases including GIS data related to the City's TIF program.
  • Participate as a member of City staff teams to manage complex community, economic, neighborhood, and redevelopment projects.
  • As part of a team, analyze complex community, economic, and housing development proposals involving the City, private developers, and other funding partners.
  • As part of a team, negotiate and prepare development agreements, term sheets, purchase and sale agreements, City resolutions, closing documents, and other documents necessary to transact community, economic, and housing development projects.
  • Make presentations to groups such as committees, boards, commissions and other public and private groups as necessary, and assist with media inquiries.
  • Assist with the staffing of City Boards, Committees, and Commissions and perform related staff work as assigned.
  
  Financial and Project Analysis
  
  • As part of a team, negotiate the level, terms and conditions of City financial participation, often through TIF, for real estate development projects.
  • As part of a team, conduct financial analysis of development projects including financial proforma, market demand and absorption statistics, rates of return required for specific types of investments, performance ratios and the evaluation of public benefit versus public cost.
  • As part of a team, draft and/or negotiate complex real estate agreements, sales contracts, leases and exchanges with the private sector, public agencies, and governmental units.
  • Assist the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the DPCED in the review, analysis and issuance of various public financing instruments including bonds and TIF assistance. Work with other City staff as appropriate.
  
  Real Estate Asset Management
  
  • Coordinate, with internal staff and external consultants and contractors, regarding the management of City owned and leased real estate resources.
  • Assist with the management of a portfolio of leases, property management contracts, condominium agreements, and related real estate relationships for City agencies and the CDA.
  
  Miscellaneous Work
  
  • Track and analyze real estate market data and trends.
  • Respond to real estate inquiries from general public and elected officials.
  • Attend training, develop skills, and remain current on issues impacting real estate development and TIF.
  Perform other duties as assigned.
  Minimum Qualifications
  Two (2) years of experience in applying the following:
  
  • Theories, principles, practices, documents and laws of real estate development.
  • Theories, principles, and practices of commercial real estate finance (discounted cash flow, IRR, basic accounting, etc.).
  • Real estate market trends and data.
  • Computer software applicable to position responsibilities (Email, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  
  Familiarity with the following:
  
  • Urban planning, construction, and sustainability principles.
  • Private and governmental sources of financing and of local, state and federal programs to encourage economic development.
  • Theories, principles, practices, documents and laws pertinent to real estate acquisition, leasing, and sale within a governmental context.
  
  OR
  
  Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business, Finance, Urban Planning, Real Estate, or other related field.
  
  The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
  
  For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the Real Estate Development Specialist 1 class specification.
  
  Special Requirements
  
  
  • Ability to meet the transportation requirements of this position. Employees will be expected to travel throughout the city to visit City-owned property or property under consideration for acquisition.
  • Ability to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  • Ability to work at a sit/stand desk for extended period of time using standard office equipment.
  • Ability to access all areas of buildings and property to conduct site visits is desirable but not required. This may involve uneven terrain and stairs.
  
  The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.
  Compensation
  The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.
  Benefits
  The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our for more information.
  
  Leave
  Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.
  0-3 years 10 work days of vacation
  After 3 years 12-1/2 days
  After 7 years 15 days
  After 11 years 17-1/2 days
  After 15 years 20 days
  After 19 years 25 days
  After 27 years 27 days
  Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.
  Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).
  
  Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.
  
  Retirement
  The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
  Insurance
  The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:
  
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  
  Other Benefits
  The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:
  • 457(b) deferred compensation plans
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Bus Pass on Madison Metro
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Employer-paid Training
  01
  
  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. You can answer the questions using a word processing program and attach as a .docx or .pdf file. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your responses will be evaluated on your writing ability including: spelling, grammar and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your essay response will immediately eliminate you from consideration.
  • Acknowledge
  
  02
  
  An important role of a Real Estate Development Specialist will be to help negotiate real estate transactions involving businesses, developers, colleagues, and elected officials. Please describe a project/transaction/initiative (real estate or otherwise) with which you were involved, including your role and responsibilities and the outcome. Explain what, if anything, you would have done differently and why? How well do you think this project/transaction went, and what did you learn that could apply to this position?
  • My one (1) page essay response to this question is attached in the Attachment Section of my application.
  
  03
  
  A core component of the City's vision is to uplift equity in all areas of our work. In your role as a Real Estate Development Specialist 1, or in a previously held role, how have you or would you incorporate advancing racial equity and focusing on members of historically marginalized communities?
  • My one (1) page essay response to this question is attached in the Attachment Section of my application.
  
  Required Question

• About the company

  The best remote jobs for you

Notice