Operations Associate

North Carolina Cottages; Carolina Beach (NC); On-site; USD 16,531 - 24,796; Part time

Job summary

North Carolina Cottages is seeking a versatile Operations Associate to support day-to-day operations across a portfolio of residential and hospitality properties in New Hanover County. This role blends field work with administrative coordination, interfacing with ownership and growing responsibilities over time.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and able to lift up to 50 pounds, with the ability to travel locally and work weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Preferred hands-on, field-based operations support for residential/hospitality properties.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and navigate varied property layouts.
• Willingness to travel locally within New Hanover County and surrounding areas.
• Flexible schedule including occasional weekends and extended hours during peak season.
• Residency near Carolina Beach or Wrightsville Beach preferred.

Responsibilities

• Keep properties guest-ready between stays with walkthroughs and readiness checks.
• Coordinate vendors, scheduling, and follow-ups.
• Support inventory management of supplies, linens, and equipment.
• Visit properties regularly to ensure quality and brand consistency.
• Communicate with guests promptly and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Basic handyman skills

Basic bookkeeping familiarity

Content creation

Photography

Social media awareness

Education

Tools

WordPress

HTML

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Job description

This job posting closes on Sunday, July 12 at 11:59PM.

Professional Operations Services Associate

Location: New Hanover County, NC
Primary Area of Work: Carolina Beach & surrounding coastal communities
Employment Type: Part-time or Full-time (with some flexibility based on experience and availability)
Compensation: Pay dependent on experience (see below)

About the Role

We’re hiring a highly capable and detail-oriented Operations Associate to support day-to-day operations across a portfolio of residential and hospitality-focused properties in New Hanover County. This is a hands‑on role that blends field work (properties, vendors, readiness) with coordination and documentation. You’ll work closely with ownership and take on more responsibility over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Keep properties guest‑ready between stays: walkthroughs, visual inspections, and readiness checks
• Identify, document, and report issues related to maintenance, cleanliness, supplies, or presentation
• Coordinate vendor and contractor access, scheduling, and follow‑ups
• Support inventory management (supplies, linens, equipment)
• Visit properties regularly to ensure quality, consistency, and brand standards
• Communicate and respond to guests inquiries and messages in a timely manner.
• Assist with property setup, organization, staging, and occasional light‑to‑heavy hands‑on tasks as needed
• Handle time‑sensitive issues when necessary and serve as a reliable on‑the‑ground presence in Carolina Beach
• Provide occasional in‑person communication with guests and clients when needed
• Maintain operational organization: checklists, documentation, notes, and basic reporting
• Track open tasks and workflows and communicate clear updates to the owner and team
• Support scheduling and coordination of services across the portfolio
• Support special projects as the business grows (example initiatives include expansion into new markets and launching new programs)
• Live near Carolina Beach or Wrightsville Beach (most of the current portfolio is located there)
• Reliable transportation and comfort driving locally throughout New Hanover County
• Availability for occasional weekends, early mornings, evenings, or off‑hours as business needs require
• Willingness to travel occasionally as the company expands
• Comfortable doing both field work and administrative coordination (this is not a desk‑only role)
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Able to navigate stairs, outdoor areas, and varied property layouts
• Comfortable working in coastal conditions (heat, humidity, sand)

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic handyman skills (preferred, but not required)
• Basic accounting or bookkeeping familiarity (preferred, but not required)
• Interest or experience in any of the following (preferred, but not required):
  • Content creation, photography, or visual storytelling
  • Social media or digital marketing awareness
  • Basic website or design tools (WordPress, HTML, Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop)

Work style and culture fit

You’ll likely be a strong fit if you:

• Take commitments seriously and follow through
• Work independently without constant oversight
• Notice details others miss and take pride in quality
• Communicate clearly, ask good questions, and learn quickly
• Like a mix of structure and variety and enjoy hands‑on problem solving
• Look for solutions and improvements, not just task completion

We value: family, relationships, honesty, accountability, clear communication, quality work, continuous improvement, and respect.

Scheduling

• Standard work hours align with business needs
• Some weekends or off‑hours may be required, especially during peak season
• We plan ahead when possible and respect personal time, but hospitality operations sometimes require responsiveness outside traditional hours

Compensation

• Pay is dependent on experience, skill set, and demonstrated reliability
• Growth and pay opportunities are available within the first 6 months.
• The ideal candidate will start between $12–$15/hr. and could earn $18/hr. after one year.
• This position can easily grow into a larger role over time with increased pay.

How to apply

Please submit a complete application below with your resume.