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Sr. Director, Research - Midwest

JLL
parental leave, paid time off, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
200 East Randolph Street (Show on map)
Sep 25, 2025

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you've got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you're looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Director of Research - Midwest

We are currently seeking a Research Director who will direct all aspects of the local office, industrial, and economic market research program for Chicago, as well as the Midwest overall. You will work closely with our leadership in these areas, as well as colleagues throughout the Americas Research group. Our Research Director will create and grow a professional research team environment that is collaborative, market-leading and differentiating.

What this job involves:

Our Director is responsible for developing best in class research that differentiates JLL, generates and delivers insights to clients, and builds and maintains a competitive advantage in the marketplace through market expertise and thought leadership. You will have primary responsibility for leading a team of researchers to track and analyze corporate real estate trends and market dynamics and publish and present an insightful house view with implications for our business and our clients. Our Director will integrate and work seamlessly with the marketing team as well as with business leaders, subject matter experts, and research colleagues to leverage that knowledge proactively for thought leadership content, strategy, business development efforts, and client decision making.

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Develop, implement and manage the overall strategic research plan for the Chicago and Midwest regions in alignment with local business leaders and Americas Research
  • Work in conjunction with business leaders, marketing and communications to develop and implement a plan and timeline for local research content and thought leadership development.
  • Maintain intimate and extensive knowledge of the macro and micro factors affecting the marketplace and proactively position research to leverage this knowledge for the business and for clients
  • Expand and improve the research platform, program, output and team skills
  • Client engagement- regularly present analysis and findings on market trends as a JLL expert in the marketplace at conferences and in the media. Support account teams and sales efforts from a research perspective through delivery and presentation of research to differentiate JLL for clients and prospects
  • Manage research team including hiring, goal setting, performance management and training
  • Develop strong relationships with internal and external clients and facilitate the use of research as a differentiator including being personally client facing and externally focused on new business efforts
  • Work with marketing teams and business leaders to position research to contribute to all business development efforts of the firm
  • Collaborate across business lines to ensure research is relevant and leveraged effectively for JLL clients and prospects

Sound like you? Before you apply it's worth knowing what we are looking for:

  • 10+ years' experience in corporate or real estate market research or as a corporate real estate practitioner, subject matter expert, or service provider
  • Command of local markets and business, with good understanding of macro trends and historical perspective
  • Dynamic presentation skills and experience presenting insightful content to clients and publicly at conferences and through the media
  • Experience working in a matrix work environment and ability to manage relationships with multiple internal stakeholders
  • Deep understanding of commercial real estate, corporate real estate, and economic patterns
  • High-level analytical skills and problem-solving ability
  • Command of requisite technology across numerous platforms
  • Superior written and oral communication skills and presentation experience
  • Ability to effectively and professionally meet client expectations and positively represent the firm
  • Ability to multi-task, succeed under pressure and effectively manage time and workload, set priorities and inspire a team
  • Management experience and ability to lead a team and program
  • Ability to lead research initiatives in alignment with business and marketing objectives
  • Bachelor's degree in business, economics or related field required
  • Proactive and strategic thinking and ability to lead research initiatives, align research with the business, and innovate research output
  • A desire to work within a diverse, collaborative, and driven professional environment

What you can expect from us:

We're an entrepreneurial, inclusive culture. We succeed together-across the desk and around the globe. We believe the best inspire the best, so we invest in supporting each other, learning together and celebrating our success.

Our Total Rewards program reflects our commitment to helping you achieve your ambitions in career, recognition, well-being, benefits and pay. We'll offer you a competitive salary and benefits package.

With us, you'll develop your strengths and enjoy a career full of varied experiences. We can't wait to see where your ambitions take you at JLL.

ABOUT JLL RESEARCH:

JLL Research consists of 550+ full time professionals globally and is the largest research group in the real estate industry and among the best of any world-wide professional services firm. Our mission is "To create clear competitive advantage for our clients through the strategic use of accurate data, market intelligence and innovative thinking from around the world". Our research activities include maintaining comprehensive property market databases, analyzing current market conditions and future trends, understanding the factors that drive property performance and occupancy trends, and providing research-led strategy and advice to investors, developers and occupiers around the world. We are committed to developing new metrics and methodological tools to capture and understand the factors driving office, retail and warehousing/logistics real estate markets across the world and bring insight to the future for our clients.

Estimated compensation for this position:

160,000.00 - 180,000.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site -Chicago, IL

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all the requirements. We're interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

  • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

  • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary

  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

JLL Privacy Notice

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL's recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.

For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement.

For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.

For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.

Jones Lang LaSalle ("JLL") is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process - including the online application and/or overall selection process - you may email us at accomodationrequest@am.jll.com. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.

Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

California Residents only

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Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

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