Community Manager - Student Accomodation

Blake Search Partners; Cork; On-site; EUR 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Blake Search Partners in Cork is seeking an experienced Community Manager to run a PBSA community as an autonomous unit, overseeing operations, budget and team performance.

You will lead leasing strategies with universities and student services partners, manage P&L, drive occupancy targets, and ensure a safe, welcoming environment for students to live, study and thrive. This role requires strong leadership, financial acumen and adaptability to seasonal cycles.

Qualifications

• Proven experience driving leasing performance in student accommodation or similar.
• Experience leading a team and delivering service excellence in a management role.
• Detailed knowledge of landlord/tenant legislation, including its application to student-specific accommodation.
• Strong organisational, numerical and communication skills.
• Able to work autonomously and take ownership, while being a strong team player.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to deliver an excellent student experience and a strong, inclusive community culture.
• Work with marketing on local leasing strategies across the academic-year cycle to hit occupancy and revenue targets.
• Make rate recommendations based on student market data and monitor payments.
• Prepare and forecast annual budgets, manage the P&L and provide variance reporting to investors.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including universities and student unions.
• Respond promptly to resident queries, requests and complaints.
• Support student welfare, working with university support services and escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Plan and oversee peak periods, including move-in and move-out.
• Assess training needs and develop team capability for performance and succession.
• Raise purchase orders and process vendor and contractor invoices.
• Oversee tenancy/licence management, including inspections, arrears, damage charges and conduct/disciplinary processes.
• Drive a health & safety culture and ensure compliance with company policy and housing legislation.

Skills

Leasing performance

Team leadership

Budgeting

Organizational skills

Numerical skills

Communication

MS Office

PM software

Tools

Property management software

Job description

Title: Community Manager - Student Accomodation
Location: Cork
Salary: From €49,000 (DOE) + bonus + package

The Role:

An opportunity for an experienced Community Manager to take full ownership of a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) community, running it as an autonomous business unit. You'll be accountable for the team, day-to-day operations and property resources, delivering against budgeted financial and operational goals while creating a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where students can live, study and thrive.

The Company:

Our client is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform specialising in institutional-quality rental housing, covering property management, investment management, development and construction.

They manage over $350 billion of real estate across more than 260 markets in North America, Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific and are the largest apartment operator in the US, with over one million units/beds under management globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the team to deliver an excellent student experience and a strong, inclusive community culture.
• Work with marketing on local leasing strategies across the academic-year cycle to hit occupancy and revenue targets, including summer and short-term lets.
• Make rate recommendations based on student market data and monitor payments.
• Prepare and forecast annual budgets, manage the P&L and provide variance reporting to investors.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including universities, colleges, student unions, sales and group bookings.
• Respond promptly to resident queries, requests and complaints.
• Support student welfare, working with university support services and escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Plan and oversee peak periods, including move-in and move-out.
• Assess training needs and develop team capability for performance and succession.
• Raise purchase orders and process vendor and contractor invoices.
• Oversee tenancy/licence management, including inspections, arrears, damage charges and conduct/disciplinary processes.
• Drive a health & safety culture and ensure compliance with company policy and housing legislation, including fire safety and out-of-hours emergency procedures.
• Manage planned and reactive maintenance, refurbishments, summer turnaround and regular property inspections.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience driving leasing performance and managing operations in student accommodation, residential property, hospitality or a similar environment.
• Track record of leading a team and delivering service excellence in a management role.
• Detailed knowledge of Landlord/Tenant legislation, including its application to student-specific accommodation.
• Strong organisational, numerical and communication skills.
• Able to work autonomously and take ownership, while being a strong team player.
• Adaptable and comfortable in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); property management software experience is an advantage (training provided).
• Change management experience is desirable.