Sr. Leasing & Marketing Specialist

Habitat; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Habitat in Chicago is seeking a Senior Leasing and Marketing Specialist to drive leasing and marketing for an assigned community, elevating resident experience from inquiry to move-in and beyond. You will lead tours, manage leads, and coordinate renewal discussions to maximize occupancy.

The ideal candidate is caring, people-focused, and motivated to brighten someone’s day, building rapport and delivering exceptional service to prospects and residents.

Qualifications

• Background in customer service, sales, leasing, marketing or hospitality with a proven track record.
• Within 120 days of hire, obtain a leasing or broker license as required by law.
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant laws and fair housing practices.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Personable, energetic, with a customer-centric mindset.
• Proficiency with Yardi and Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams).

Responsibilities

• Maintain expert knowledge of the community and neighborhood to promote its value to prospects and residents.
• Cultivate a positive customer service culture.
• Manage leads, tours, applications and renewals to drive occupancy and retention.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly leasing activity reports for management.
• Resolve resident complaints promptly and professionally.
• Organize resident engagement events to foster a sense of community.

Skills

Customer service

Sales

Leasing

Marketing

Hospitality

Tools

Yardi

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

The Senior Leasing and Marketing Specialist is responsible for driving the leasing and marketing operations of an assigned community while elevating the overall resident experience. This role plays a critical part in overseeing the entire resident life cycle - from the initial point of contact through move-in and beyond - ensuring each interaction is welcoming, seamless, and tailored to individual needs.

The ideal candidate is caring, people-focused, and motivated by the opportunity to brighten someone's day. With a genuine passion for connecting with others and making them feel at home, this individual naturally builds rapport, understands prospective residents' needs, and takes pride in providing exceptional service.

Key objectives include:

• Maximizing every touchpoint in the leasing experience - from inquiry and tour scheduling to application and securing a new home
• Effectively managing and converting leads into long-term residents
• Collaborating with the Community or Resident Manager to execute strategic marketing plans that drive traffic and engagement
• Supporting retention efforts by helping to foster a positive, community-oriented environment

This on-site position reports directly to the Community Manager or Resident Manager and requires weekend availability and a flexible schedule to align with business demands and prospective resident needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain expert knowledge of the community, its amenities, and the surrounding neighborhood to effectively promote its value to prospects and residents.
• Cultivate a positive customer service culture.
• Guide and collaborate with the leasing team to ensure reputation management, social media presences, website, and ILS engagements are up to date and meeting benchmarks and goals of the business.
• Prepare required reporting on leasing activity and operational updates on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis as required.
• Provide timely and accurate feedback to management and revenue teams regarding market trends, pricing sensitivity, leasing velocity, and concession effectiveness.
• Monitor and report on traffic conversion, lease expirations, and rent performance to support data-driven pricing and occupancy strategies.
• Track and communicate prospect objections related to pricing or incentives, helping inform ongoing rent optimization efforts.
• Conduct physical property inspections to ensure tour path, apartments, and curb appeal meets best practices.
• Convert leads into prospects and leases by providing knowledgeable information and conducting engaging, personalized community tours.
• Assist prospects with completing applications, process criminal background/credit checks on applicants, and notify prospective residents of results.
• Complete online guest cards for all prospects, send thank-you notes and perform follow-up correspondence.
• Work with future residents during their application process, and upon approval from the Resident or Community Manager, complete lease file according to best practices.
• Conduct informative and personalized renewal meetings to understand the current and future needs of the resident during the renewal cycle that will result in renewal leases. And then prepares the renewal lease package according to our best practices
• Maintain a professional, yet friendly atmosphere in the leasing office and other areas where prospective residents and current residents meet. Answer incoming calls and respond accordingly, whether it is a prospect or resident call. Transfer calls when appropriate.
• Responsible for resolving resident complaints in a timely manner.
• Monitor customer experience surveys, celebrate wins, identify areas of opportunity, work with team to generate solutions, implement and follow up on solutions.
• Organize and coordinate resident engagement events.
• Report all liability and property incidents to the Community Manager and or Resident Manager immediately; ensures all appropriate incident reports are filed according to best practices.
• Conduct all business in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures, the Fair Housing Acts, Ordinances and Statutes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all other laws pertaining to the occupancy standards and established criteria.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must have background in customer service, sales, leasing, marketing or hospitality experience, and successful track record of accomplishment.
• Must have or obtain within 120 days of hire a leasing license or broker’s license as required by license law.
• Knowledge of landlord tenant laws
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Personable, energetic with a strong desire to help and service the consumer.
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Yardi, Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams)