Community Manager- Park Forest

bender-companies; Park Forest (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance (employer-paid)

Dental Insurance (employer-paid)

Vision Insurance (employer-paid)

401K with company match

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Career advancement

Job summary

Bender Companies is seeking a hands-on Community Manager for an on-site role in Park Forest, IL. You will lead leasing, maintenance, and resident services to deliver a positive, profitable community experience.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years of apartment management experience, a CPM designation preferred, and a proactive, service-oriented mindset focused on community-building and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in apartment property management.
• CPM designation or relevant certifications preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis and reporting.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop on-site teams.
• Passion for customer service and community-building.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• Calm, confident under pressure and able to adapt quickly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily property operations to ensure resident satisfaction and financial performance.
• Direct maintenance, unit turns, and tenant improvements.
• Ensure market-ready apartments by coordinating with leasing and maintenance teams.
• Lead leasing team to meet occupancy goals and improve retention.
• Monitor budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Build relationships with residents and handle escalations professionally.
• Conduct regular property inspections for safety and upkeep.
• Manage vendor relationships and approve invoices for quality and cost control.
• Guide team through change and process improvements.
• Analyze rental rates and market trends to optimize performance.
• Drive community engagement and resident events.

Skills

Property management

Communication

Leadership

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Problem solving

Team development

Customer service

Education

CPM (Certified Property Manager) designation

Job description

Come join the growing team at Bender Companies!

Bender Companies is an owner-operator specializing in the acquisition and management of value-add multifamily properties. Since its inception in 2011, Bender Companies has established a proven track record of high performing investments through strategic acquisitions, mitigating risk, and effective management. Today, Bender Companies owns and operates over 25 properties throughout the Midwest with nearly 6,000 units.

We are a high growth company that values integrity, initiative, and inclusion. If you are looking for a company where you can see your impact make a difference in the company, this may be the place for you.

What We are Looking For:

We’re seeking an experienced Community Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day operations at one of our apartment communities located in Park Forest . This role is ideal for someone who combines a passion for prioritizing resident experiences with operational excellence and a business-owner mindset.

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader, problem-solver, and communicator who's comfortable wearing many hats and energized by the challenge of making a property run smoothly, profitably, and with a strong sense of community.

Job Type

Full-time

Pay

• $55,000-$60,000/yr
• Monthly bonus opportunity
• Leasing and renewal commissions

Schedule

• 9 AM-5:30 PM (however hours may vary)
• Monday to Friday

Here are some things that will make you successful:

• At least 2 years of proven success in apartment property management
• CPM (Certified Property Manager) designation or other relevant certifications (preferred)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Solid experience with financial performance analysis, budgeting, and reporting
• The ability to lead, coach, and develop on-site teams with professionalism and positivity
• A passion for customer service and community-building
• A proactive and problem-solving mindset in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• The ability to remain calm, confident, and focused under pressure
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a continuous improvement approach to operations and resident satisfaction

What you will be doing:

As a Community Manager , you’ll be the strategic and operational leader of your property, responsible for ensuring that leasing, maintenance, and resident service functions work together seamlessly. You’ll also be the face of the community, creating a positive and professional atmosphere where residents feel welcome, heard, and valued.

This is both a leadership and hands-on operational role, requiring a balance of people skills, problem-solving ability, and business acumen.

Core responsibilities include:

• Overseeing daily property operations to ensure excellence in resident satisfaction, property condition, and financial performance
• Coordinating and directing all maintenance activities, including unit turns, building repairs, and tenant improvements
• Ensuring apartment units are always “market-ready”, working closely with maintenance and leasing teams
• Leading the leasing team to meet occupancy goals and implement resident retention strategies
• Monitoring and managing operating budgets, analyzing expenses, and identifying opportunities for cost savings
• Building strong relationships with residents; handling concerns or escalations with professionalism and care
• Conducting regular physical inspections of the property and apartments to ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety, and maintenance
• Managing vendor and contractor relationships; reviewing and approving invoices to ensure quality and cost control
• Guiding your team through change, new initiatives, and ongoing process improvements
• Proactively analyzing rental rates, market conditions, and competitive trends to optimize performance
• Driving community engagement and resident satisfaction through events, feedback initiatives, and high-touch service

Where you will work:

This position will require you to work on-site at the property in Park Forest.

Why work for Bender Companies:

• 90% employer-paid coverage of base Medical Insurance plan
• 75% employer-paid coverage of base Dental Insurance plan
• 75% employer-paid coverage of Vision Insurance plan
• 401K with company match
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 2 weeks of annual PTO
• 16 hours of personal time
• Exciting company growth and potential for career advancement
• Supportive Team
• Mission focused on providing quality workforce housing

Background checks will be performed on all qualified applicants.

Equal opportunityemployer.

The pay range for this role is:

55,000 - 60,000 USD per year (Westbridge Apartments)