Lease Up Community Manager

Bear Development Inc.; Milwaukee, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

8+ paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Short term disability

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

The Bear Real Estate Group is hiring a Lease-Up Community Manager to lead the lease-up of The Corliss in Milwaukee, WI, ensuring occupancy milestones while adhering to LIHTC, HOME, and other program requirements.

Responsibilities include establishing on-site operations, building a cohesive team, and delivering on the owner’s pro forma and tax credit timelines with aggressive marketing and precise regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Fair Housing requirements and compliance practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication across teams and residents.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, and leasing metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead lease-up operations from occupancy to stabilization.
• Enforce lease terms and community policies professionally.
• Oversee pre-leasing, applicant screening, and move-ins per plan.
• Maintain audit-ready resident files and regulatory compliance.
• Drive marketing and leasing velocity through targeted outreach and events.
• Prepare weekly leasing and traffic reports and monthly financials.

Skills

Fair Housing knowledge

Communication skills

Financial literacy

Training & mentoring

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

RealPage/OneSite

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Lease Up Community Manager

Full Time Milwaukee, WI, US

26 days ago Requisition ID: 2799

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bear Real Estate Group is looking to hire a Lease-Up Community Manager is responsible for leading the lease-up of our new affordable housing community, The Corliss , from initial occupancy through stabilization, driving leasing velocity to meet absorption targets while ensuring full compliance with LIHTC, HOME, and other applicable housing program requirements during the critical first-year credit-establishing period. This role pairs aggressive marketing and leasing execution with regulatory precision, establishing site operations, building the on-site team, and delivering on the owner’s pro forma and tax credit timelines.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES

Operations & Resident Experience

• Establish and run daily site operations for a new community, building processes, resident services, and customer service standards from initial occupancy
• Enforce lease terms and community policies consistently and professionally
• Create strong first impressions and positive resident interactions that build the community’s reputation, reviews, and word-of-mouth during early lease-up
• Foster a positive resident experience through clear communication, responsive service, and well-maintained communities
• Address resident concerns professionally and in compliance with program rules
• Plan and host grand opening, model unit tours, and resident engagement events that generate traffic and build community
• Ensure the community operates in full compliance with Fair Housing laws
• Drive leasing and occupancy from certificate of occupancy through stabilized occupancy within the established lease-up timeline

Affordable Compliance & File Management

• Maintain complete and accurate household files in "audit-ready" condition at all times (initial certifications, move-in, recertifications, transfers, move-outs) with supporting documentation in compliance with all regulatory agreements
• Ensure every household is income-qualified and certified prior to move-in, with no unqualified or out-of-compliance move-ins during the credit-establishing first year
• Ensure all files are approved by Compliance prior to move in, and all documents are appropriately executed prior to issuing keys
• Build and manage the pre-leasing interest list, applicant screening, and move-ins per the Tenant Selection Plan and Resident Selection Criteria
• Ensure rent limits, income limits, and utility allowances are updated and implemented correctly each year
• Coordinate with Compliance staff and third-party monitors for audits, inspections, and corrective actions
• Partner with Compliance and ownership to meet first-year tax credit milestones, including the minimum set-aside, applicable fraction, and credit delivery deadlines tied to each building’s placed-in-service date

Lease-Up & Marketing

• Drive leasing velocity to meet weekly and monthly lease-up absorption targets through proactive outreach, traffic generation, lead conversion, and follow-up
• Track and report traffic, lead sources, tour-to-lease conversion, and net leases against goal, adjusting tactics to keep pace with the absorption schedule
• Maintain accurate online listings and property information per Bear Core Processes
• Partner with Marketing and the Lease-Up Regional Manager to execute the lease-up marketing plan, manage advertising sources, and post appropriately to Social Media
• Ensure the model unit, signage, and all online and print marketing are accurate, compelling, and current to maximize tour-to-lease conversion
• Manage the lease-up budget, monitor leasing pace against the owner’s pro forma, and track income/expense and concession use throughout lease-up
• Review and approve invoices, purchase orders, and vendor proposals in accordance with company controls
• Monitor rent collections, enforce lease terms, manage delinquencies, and initiate legal proceedings when required
• Support month-end closing accuracy including ledger reconciliation, deposit verification, and reporting deadlines
• Prepare weekly leasing and traffic reports and monthly financial reports, including lease-up pace against goal

Delinquency & Legal Coordination

• Follow delinquency process consistently
• Ensure all non-payment notices are delivered accurately and on time monthly
• Ensure small balance due notices are sent out monthly and followed up weekly
• Responsible for reporting on delinquency weekly
• Responsible for filing non-payment and non-compliance notices promptly and managing the legal process through correction or eviction

Maintenance Partnership & Site Standards

• Coordinate daily with maintenance and the construction/development team on unit delivery, punch lists, turns, inspections, curb appeal, and safety
• Ensure property is tour-ready and meets company standards
• Ensure newly delivered and turned units are inspected, made rent-ready, and released for leasing without delay as the building is handed over in phases
• Ensure resident work orders are logged and completed within 48-72 hours, follow up with resident for quality control
• Responsible for walking the site Facilities and Vendors frequently to ensure site is maintained and appealing
• Collaborate with facilities to obtain bids/quotes per Bear Core Processes, confirm scope completion, and approve or submit vendor invoices for payment

Risk and Safety

• Ensure all incidents, injuries, property damage, and emergencies are documented and reported promptly
• Enforce company safety procedures and maintain site emergency plans
• Participate in after-hours or weekend emergency response as required

Leadership & Team Accountability

• Hire, onboard, and coach a new on-site team, conducting training and performance reviews as the community staffs up
• Model professional communication, accountability, and teamwork
• Partner with the Lease-Up Regional Property Manager and HR for hiring, discipline, and development opportunities
• Ensure all team members complete required affordable housing, Fair Housing, and compliance training annually
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional conduct and internal controls

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Must have 3+ years of multi-housing experience, including new construction or lease-up experience. (Affordable/LIHTC experience preferred).
• Strong Fair Housing knowledge required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Financial literacy, including budget management and reporting.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in RealPage/OneSite or comparable property management software.
• Proficiency in in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT WORKING HERE

• Invest in Your Future: 401(k) with company match, plus annual merit-based increases
• Prioritize Your Health:Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Long-Term Disability, and FSA and HSA options
• Recharge and Renew:Generous paid time off and 8+ paid holidays
• Voluntary Benefits:Short Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• Keep Growing:Ongoing education, leadership