Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Chicago IL - Chicago, IL 60631Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $60,000.00 - $95,000.00 SalaryJob Title: Due Diligence Coordinator
Department: Development Services
Reports to: Managing Director/Studio Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Due Diligence Coordinator leads and coordinates all due diligence activities for commercial land development projects from site identification through entitlement and into pre-construction. This position serves as the central point of integration between ownership/development representatives, internal design teams (civil, architectural, structural, MEP), and third-party consultants (geotechnical, environmental, traffic, survey, utility providers, and specialty engineers). This role ensures that risks are identified early, regulatory requirements are clearly understood, development constraints are documented, and project schedules and budgets accurately reflect due diligence findings. This position requires a strong understanding of entitlement processes, zoning regulations, site feasibility analysis, utility infrastructure, and project controls within the commercial development lifecycle.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. General duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Site Feasibility and Regulatory Research
Research and interpret local, state, and federal approval requirements, including:
Zoning ordinances and overlay districts
Comprehensive plans and future land use maps
Development codes and design standards
Environmental regulations and permitting thresholds
Stormwater and utility regulations
Conduct preliminary feasibility analysis to evaluate:
Site access and circulation constraints
Setbacks, height limits, FAR, parking requirements
Floodplain, wetlands, and environmental constraints
Easements, encumbrances, and deed restrictions
Identify potential entitlement risks and provide mitigation strategies.
Attend and coordinate pre-application meetings with municipalities and regulatory agencies.
Site Assessment and Utility Investigations
Lead site investigations, including:
Utility availability and capacity confirmation
Water, sewer, gas, electric, and telecom coordination
Off-site improvement requirements
Coordinate boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys.
Manage geotechnical investigations and soil testing programs.
Oversee environmental due diligence efforts (Phase I/II ESA, wetlands delineation, environmental impact assessments).
Evaluate site grading challenges, drainage patterns, and access constraints in coordination with civil engineers.
Consultant Management
Procure, scope, and manage third-party consultants, including:
Geotechnical engineers
Environmental consultants
Traffic engineers
Surveyors
Utility consultants
Develop scopes of work aligned with project objectives and budgets.
Review consultant deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project goals.
Ensure deliverables are received on schedule and within contracted fees.
Coordinate interdisciplinary communication between consultants and internal design teams.
Due Diligence Documentation and Reporting
Prepare comprehensive Due Diligence Reports summarizing:
Site constraints and opportunities
Zoning and entitlement pathway
Utility capacity and infrastructure requirements
Environmental findings
Risk analysis and recommendations
Draft executive memorandums for internal leadership and clients.
Maintain accurate documentation of correspondence, approvals, and regulatory findings.
Track and manage critical real estate agreement dates, contingencies, and development milestones.
Project Controls: Scheduling and Budgeting
Develop and maintain detailed project-specific development schedules, including:
Entitlement timelines
Agency review durations
Consultant deliverable milestones
Long-lead regulatory approvals
Apply critical path scheduling methods to identify schedule risks and dependencies.
Assist in developing and monitoring due diligence and entitlement budgets.
Track consultant expenditures and ensure work aligns with contract terms.
Provide regular project status updates to Managing Director, Studio Director, and Development Manager.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with:
Director of Development / Development Manager
Civil Engineering teams
Architectural teams
Structural and MEP consultants
Translate due diligence findings into actionable design criteria.
Ensure design teams understand regulatory constraints and entitlement requirements.
Support value engineering efforts based on site feasibility findings.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Strong understanding of:
Zoning regulations and entitlement processes
Building codes and land development regulations
Structural, MEP, Civil, and Geotechnical systems
Utility infrastructure and capacity analysis
Familiarity with environmental regulations and permitting processes.
Working knowledge of real estate development agreements and contingencies.
Proficiency in:
Microsoft Office Suite
MS Project or comparable project management platforms
Document management systems
Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking capabilities.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level reporting.
Ability to anticipate project risks and propose practical solutions.
Collaborative team player with a proactive and positive attitude.
Strong work ethic and professional accountability.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or related field required.
Minimum of 5+ years of commercial land development or entitlement experience within a design firm or development company.
Experience managing consultants and coordinating multidisciplinary design teams preferred.
Working at GFWHY YOU'LL WANT TO WORK AT GF
Join a team where you can contribute and grow your career without limits. At GF, you’ll help build community through meaningful work while shaping your professional growth and career path. Our team brings together diverse talents and backgrounds, creating an environment where you can explore fresh ideas, navigate new challenges, and adapt as your career and goals evolve. From our 4½-day workweek and comprehensive benefits to intentional mentorship and career development, GF provides an environment where growth, balance, and job satisfaction go hand in hand.
CAREER PROGRESSION
We are passionate about supporting your career progression and professional growth. GF maintains a career progression framework that illustrates typical advancement in both title and responsibility. During the annual performance review process, and at other appropriate times, we will discuss the skills, experience, and competencies that may be demonstrated to achieve the next level position.
Career progression is not prescriptive. Advancement is based on a combination of demonstrated capability, technical and interpersonal skills, experience, initiative, attitude, performance, and overall contribution to the firm. We encourage open, direct, and ongoing conversations with your manager regarding your career goals and professional development.
We also recognize that not every employee aspires to continued upward advancement. If you are content in your current role, we are committed to supporting your growth through expanded responsibilities, new challenges, and horizontal development opportunities that allow you to remain engaged, challenged, and professionally fulfilled while maintaining your current level.
BENEFITS
Health and Wellness Support
We prioritize the well-being of our team members through comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a generous Firm contribution to health savings accounts. Other programs that further emphasizes our dedication to the holistic health of our employees include: voluntary short- and long-term disability; voluntary life insurance; accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity benefits; monthly wellness reimbursements; telehealth benefits; mental health counseling; employee assistance programs; Medicare transition services; and financial wellness benefits.
Professional Development Opportunities
Dedication to continued learning is ingrained in our culture. Our tuition reimbursement program empowers employees to pursue continuous learning, enhancing their education and skill sets to excel in their careers. Mentorship opportunities and benefits such as paid membership to a professional organization and opportunities for selection into our Next Generation Leadership Training or Associates and Directors Program further supports the growth and development of our team.
Ownership and Prosperity
As an ESOP company, GF takes pride in offering every team member a stake in our success. Through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, our employees benefit from shared company prosperity, creating a culture of shared goals and achievements. You fund your 401(k) through paycheck deferrals, and GF matches your deferrals into the ESOP with shares of company stock.
Work-Life Integration
We understand the importance of Work-Life Balance. Our commitment to flexible work schedules, paid time off, paid holidays, half-day Fridays, and paid parental leave allows our team members to achieve professional success while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, familial status, partnership status, protected veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
PAY TRANSPARENCY
Where required by applicable law, the pay range for this position is provided in the job posting. Compensation is determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, education, internal equity, geographic location, and business needs. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and or benefits in accordance with applicable plans and policies.
PAYROLL
Employees paid on a bi-weekly basis, consisting of 26 pay periods annually, and is issued in arrears. Direct deposit is available.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT
Employment with GF is at will, which means that either the employee or GF may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description or posting creates a contract of employment or alters the at-will nature of employment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work may be performed in a standard office setting, onsite at client locations, and or on active construction or project sites. Work environments may include exposure to weather conditions, uneven terrain, construction equipment, and other site-related conditions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires sufficient physical ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform essential job functions. These may include sitting or standing for extended periods; walking on uneven surfaces; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting; lifting, carrying, pushing, and or pulling light to moderate amounts of weight; operating office and field equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination; communicating verbally and in writing; visual acuity within normal range with or without correction; and hearing within normal range with or without correction. This position may require physical mobility on and around active construction sites before and after installation of infrastructure and site improvements. This position is primarily office-based with periodic site visits and occasional travel to project sites and municipal offices.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants throughout the hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to perform essential job functions, please notify us. Reasonable accommodations may include modifications to the application process, work procedures, equipment, or work environment, in accordance with applicable law.
BACKGROUND CHECK
Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, reference check, and or drug screening, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including fair chance and ban-the-box requirements.
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
Employees are required to comply with all Company and client on-site safety policies and procedures. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when working on construction or project sites.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. GF participates in E-Verify and will verify employment eligibility in accordance with federal law.
HARASSMENT-FREE WORKPLACE
We are committed to maintaining a professional work environment free from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and inappropriate conduct. All employees are expected to uphold these standards and will attend annual harassment prevention training.
DISCLAIMER
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications and may be modified at any time to meet business needs.
Thank you for your interest in applying for a position at GF. We appreciate you taking the time to submit your information. Our team will review your qualifications, and if your skills and experience align with the needs of the role, a member of our recruitment team will reach out to begin the next steps in the process. We look forward to reviewing your information.