Research Development Associate Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT US:

Helix is a mission-driven real estate development company dedicated to addressing the housing crisis through innovative multifamily, modular development, construction, and community-focused solutions. Guided by a commitment to people, hope, and transformational leadership, Helix works to expand access to quality housing while strengthening communities across the Midwest. To learn more about Helix, check out our website at www.helix33.com and at https://www.restorehopeindiana.com/.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Development Associate owns the day-to-day execution of site pursuit and pre-development at Helix33. Reporting to the VP of Development, this position drives new deals, aiding initial site identification through due diligence, entitlement, and incentive procurement so that projects are ready to move the moment leadership says go.

This is a role for a self-starter. The right candidate takes a task, writes it down, runs it to completion, and comes back with recommendations instead of questions. They pair a process-oriented mindset and strong financial acumen with the relationship skills to work daily with brokers, landowners, and city and economic development officials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Site Pursuit and Land Acquisition

• Identify and screen land and properties that align with Helix33's investment strategy and our vision of “40 communities by 2030” primarily in workforce housing development.
• Build and maintain relationships with brokers and landowners to source both on-market and off-market opportunities.
• Draft LOIs, support purchase agreement negotiations, and manage the acquisition process from first contact through closing.
• Order and track survey, title, environmental, and other due diligence work. Own the due diligence calendar and raise risks early.

Incentives and Public Partnerships

• Proactively identify state and local incentive opportunities (TIF, tax abatement, grants, and other gap-financing tools) on every pursuit, and structure them into project feasibility alongside the finance team.
• Own incentive pursuits end to end: research, application drafting, submission, and follow-through with each jurisdiction.
• Build working relationships with municipal leaders, planning staff, and economic development officials across the state.
• Help garner community support for proposed projects through presentations and communication with officials and neighbors.

Entitlements, Zoning, and Due Diligence

• Coordinate and execute rezoning efforts and entitlement requirements, owning timelines, submission requirements, and hearing schedules.
• Manage consultants (civil, legal, environmental) and municipal review schedules to keep the critical path on track.
• Maintain a written tracker of every open item, owner, and deadline on each pursuit. Nothing falls through the cracks.

Financial Analysis

• Run screening-level underwriting on prospective sites to pressure-test feasibility before deals consume team resources.
• Support detailed proformas, sensitivity analyses, and cost estimates in collaboration with the analyst and finance functions.
• Track pursuit budgets and pre-development spend, reporting status regularly to the VP of Development.

What Success Looks Like

• Within 6 months: independently manage the due diligence, entitlement, and incentive calendars on assigned pursuits with no missed deadlines.
• Within 12 months: take a site from initial identification to entitlement-ready with minimal oversight, including incentive applications submitted and municipal relationships established in target jurisdictions.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 1 to 3 years of experience in commercial real estate or a CRE-adjacent field such as brokerage, construction, civil engineering, municipal planning, economic development, real estate lending, or real estate law.
• Self-starter who takes full ownership of tasks, works independently, and kicks off work without waiting to be told the next step.
• Process-oriented mindset: keeps written trackers and checklists, prioritizes well, meets deadlines, and manages multiple pursuits at once.
• Financial acumen: comfortable with underwriting concepts, budgeting, and financial analysis for development deals.
• Strong relationship and negotiation skills with the confidence to work directly with brokers, landowners, city officials, and economic development staff.
• Working knowledge of real estate development processes, including zoning, entitlements, and due diligence.
• Familiarity with financial incentive mechanisms (TIF, abatements, etc.) is a strong plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Planning, Engineering, or a related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BENEFITS:

At Helix, we are committed to investing in our team by offering a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support both personal and professional well-being. This full-time position includes a competitive base salary, paid time off, and paid holidays. Employees also have access to optional medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution. We are proud to provide benefits that help our team thrive while making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Helix is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in any employment policies or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, marital status, gender identity, veteran/military service, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Note: This job description is not an all-inclusive list of your functions and tasks. Job functions may be added, deleted, or modified at any time by your management team. Receipt of this job description does not constitute a contract of employment.