Community Manager

CREI Management; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A property management company is seeking a Community Manager to oversee a student housing apartment community. Responsibilities include managing financial performance, hiring and supervising staff, and implementing marketing strategies to ensure high occupancy rates. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and 4-6 years of experience in property management, showcasing strong communication and customer service skills. The role demands organization, leadership, and the ability to handle a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years related experience in property management or equivalent education.
• Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial performance of a student housing apartment community.
• Hire, train, and supervise community staff.
• Implement marketing strategies to boost traffic and leases.

Skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Customer service skills

Negotiation skills

Time management skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Overview

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Regional Property Manager, the Community Manager’s primary responsibility is for the management of a student housing apartment community. This person is focused on the financial performance of each community, ensuring that it is properly staffed and managed to provide an optimal return to the investors. This person also has specific training and experience to oversee multiple managers and provide guidance on operating and financial issues to those managers.

Reports To

Regional Property Manager

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Meeting budgeted income, expense and leasing goals for the portfolio
• Evaluating market conditions to determine unit prices in accordance with the market and budgeted goals
• Providing management guidance on leasing/marketing, the renewal program and the move‑out/move‑in process
• Stays informed about current market and competitor conditions that may impact the community’s occupancy and sales results, develops and implements short- and long‑term marketing plans and goals to sustain occupancy, and implements creative strategies around pricing, concessions, leasing incentives, and advertising to boost traffic and leases.
• Reviewing the financial operations of each community on at least a monthly basis
• Pre‑approving all capital projects and major contracts before seeking Regional Property Manager final approval
• Hiring, training and supervising staff
• Conducting ongoing meetings with staff to keep them apprised of current issues
• Overseeing the annual budget process for each community
• Evaluating the staff of each community in regard to leasing guidelines
• Ensuring that all staff members provide the highest level of service to residents

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four‑year college or university with a Master’s degree preferred. Four to six years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Knowledgeable in the use of Microsoft Office products; proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Proficient in interpreting financial results and business indicators to identify and analyze trends
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to elicit cooperation and support from others and to interact tactfully and effectively with co‑workers, residents, supervisors and other staff members.
• Demonstrates well‑developed communication skills necessary to communicate both orally and written in a clear manner when presenting information and instruction.
• High degree of professionalism and demeanor resulting from previous property management experience.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Excellent customer service and negotiation skills.
• Able to lead, manage and train others.
• Able to be an effective team player and interact well with others.
• Extremely organized and detail‑oriented.
• Patient, even‑tempered and works well under pressure.
• Firm, fair and consistent.
• Effective time management skills.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to follow directions from a supervisor.
• Able to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures.
• Able to accept constructive criticism.
• Able to work weekends when needed.
• Able to work overtime as job requires.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office, sedentary setting or outdoor environment; Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Possible to work long hours and odd schedules (weekends) in order to fulfill job duties.