Multi-Site Property Manager - Student Housing

Experience Champaign Urbana; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Incentives

Insurance (medical/dental/vision)

401(k) Match

Paid time off

Company events

Wellness days

Job summary

Fairlawn in Illinois is seeking a Dynamic Multi-Site Property Manager to lead the UIUC Smile Team across 1,500+ units. You will drive property performance, oversee leasing, maintenance, and resident services while ensuring top customer service and compliance with Fair Housing laws.

This role requires 3+ years in property management, a bachelor’s degree, and proven leadership. Competitive pay, incentives, and benefits accompany the opportunity to shape a growing student housing portfolio.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of property management experience (multi-site experience preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Property Management, Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field
• Proven record of 3+ years of people-management experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, AppFolio, Outlook and able to adapt to new technology
• Demonstrate attention to detail, high energy, and a positive attitude
• Ability to give and receive real-time feedback with a positive mindset
• Embody core values: Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It, Always Improve
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage on-site team members, holding them accountable for responsibilities
• Lead and participate in daily operations including frontline resident services, leasing, maintenance, turnover, and vendor activities
• Host regularly scheduled meetings to report on KPIs and take action if goals are not met
• Review and audit property performance vs. budget, communicating with corporate office and ownership
• Contribute to preparation of annual operating and capital budgets; monitor capital items
• Inspect properties to ensure high standards; conduct regular inspections of vacant units
• Audit leases, resident files, and move‑in paperwork for accuracy
• Manage renewals process, unit availability, listings content, and marketing channels
• Handle resident accounting tasks such as rent collection, deposits, delinquency follow-up
• Maintain rapport with residents, vendors, and Fairlawn team
• Have knowledge of lease terms, specifications, and policies
• Provide exceptional customer service and represent the Fairlawn brand
• Learn and ensure compliance with Fair Housing Laws (training provided)
• Pivot, roll up sleeves, and jump in where needed

Skills

Property management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Property Management, Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

AppFolio

Outlook

Job description

Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Multi‑Site Property Manager to join our awesome team here at Fairlawn! The ideal candidate will embody Fairlawn’s core values: Be Kind, Own It, Be Flexible, and Always Improve.

We are currently searching for an experienced Multi‑Site Property Manager to lead the UIUC Smile Team in the day‑to‑day operations of our 1,500+ unit/3,000+ bed scattered site portfolio. The overall objective of this role will be to integrate all property functions and ensure that the properties are operating at their best. The ideal candidate is a true leader who radiates positivity and is passionate about driving great property performance and superior customer service.

Fairlawn is a vertically integrated firm focusing on real estate investment, management, and development. Based in Chicago and Champaign, Illinois, and managing a portfolio of 5,750 units with an asset value of $900 million, Fairlawn has a 10‑year record in value‑add projects, student housing, and build‑to‑rent communities. Fairlawn’s best‑in‑class student housing brand, Smile Student Living, manages 3,000+ beds at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign and is a key player in student housing in the region. Fairlawn has established a strong presence across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, and is actively expanding into additional Midwest markets.

What will you do?

• Exemplify the core values of Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It, and Always Improve
• Lead and manage on‑site team members, holding them accountable for their assigned responsibilities
• Lead and participate in daily operations including frontline resident services, leasing, maintenance, turnover, and vendor activities
• Host regularly scheduled meetings to report on both leading and key performance indicators. Take action as necessary if goals are not being met
• Review and audit property performance vs. budget, communicating with the corporate office and ownership entities as necessary
• Contribute to the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets. Monitor the progress of capital budget items, regularly reporting to the corporate office on the progress
• Inspect properties to ensure the highest standards are maintained, evaluating maintenance and grounds. Conduct regular inspections of vacant units for market‑ready condition
• Audit leases, resident files, and move‑in paperwork to ensure accuracy and completion
• Manage the renewals process, unit availability, listings content, and marketing channels
• Handle resident accounting tasks such as rent collection, security deposit reconciliations, delinquency follow‑up, posting payments, and preparing deposits
• Maintain good rapport with all prospective and current residents, vendors, and Fairlawn team members
• Have a thorough knowledge of lease terms, specifications, and policies
• Provide exceptional customer service and serve as an ambassador of the Fairlawn brand
• Learn and ensure compliance with all Fair Housing Laws, including local, state, and federal housing regulations (training is provided)
• Pivot, roll up your sleeves, and jump in where needed!

Why should you work here?

• Competitive Pay. We are ready to invest in you!
• Additional monthly or quarterly incentive pay for meeting goals and supporting property performance
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance to access care for positive health outcomes and your overall well‑being
• Employee‑sponsored benefits including Short‑Term Disability, Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, Flexible Spending, and H.S.A. Accounts to avoid costly medical expenses due to gaps and ensure that all your medical needs are met
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Match to invest in your future wealth and retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holiday Pay to help you reset and come back rejuvenated and refreshed
• Company events to promote team cohesion
• Wellness Days to focus on being your best self. We want you to have time to disconnect and recharge in a way that works for you
• The opportunity to work for a growing organization where you are valued and can have a direct impact
• Quarterly off‑site meetings with your manager to celebrate wins, issue‑solve and ensure you are set up for success. Plus, the process is rewarding, and the results are great for your career

Requirements

Who you are – We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Have 3+ years of property management experience (multi‑site experience preferred), ideally in student housing, multifamily housing, or another residential property management setting
• Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Property Management, Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or a related field
• Proven record of successfully leading teams – minimum 3 years of people‑management experience
• Are proficient with relevant technology (e.g. Microsoft Office, AppFolio, Outlook) and can easily adapt to changing technology
• Demonstrate superior attention to detail, high energy, and a positive attitude
• Have the ability to give and receive real‑time feedback with a positive mindset
• Embody our core values: Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It, and Always Improve
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Some additional things you will need:

• Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation. Limited in‑town usage of personal vehicle for errands, any out‑of‑county personal mileage reimbursed at the Federal rate
• Availability to work longer hours and weekends during prime leasing season and turnover (specific dates vary from year to year)
• To serve as one of the emergency contacts for the community / Availability to be on‑call and assist in after‑hours emergencies
• Must be able to complete the physical functions of the position

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with the requirements listed above. While meeting all qualifications is preferred, we understand that exceptional candidates may bring comparable experience and skills to the table, including prior experience at Fairlawn. We value diversity of thought and experience, and we are committed to considering all applicants (internal and external) and to identifying and selecting the most qualified applicant for the role.

Depending on the role requirements, offers of employment may be contingent upon one or more of the following: employment history verification, criminal background check, motor vehicle record check, education verification, or credit check.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary

$70,000 - $80,000 + Incentives