Under the direction of the Vice President, the Area Manager is responsible for the overall operations of each community in their portfolio, typically overseeing three to five properties. Area Managers are strong, dynamic leaders with a passion for employee engagement and a focus on coaching teams to enhance resident satisfaction and drive financial performance. As an Area Manager, you will guide your property management leadership team and be accountable for your portfolio's overall business results, including a strong emphasis on customer service, employee development, and implementing corporate initiatives.
In this role, you will face fast-paced, full, and challenging days. You'll monitor various performance metrics, implement strategies to achieve operational and leasing objectives, analyze changing market conditions, and identify areas for improvement. You will lead operational, sales, and maintenance initiatives across your portfolio, embodying ownership of each property and ensuring your team has the resources to succeed and meet resident commitments.
Leadership in this role goes beyond directing from behind a desk — it involves leading by example and working alongside your team. To succeed, you'll spend significant time in the field, walking properties with Community and Service Managers, and enhancing your knowledge of the communities, competitors, and market conditions through direct feedback from on-site teams. Relationship-building is essential, as you will regularly collaborate with colleagues across departments such as Facilities, Investments, Human Resources, and Capital/Renovation, all working together to maximize asset performance and employee potential across your region.
How We Deliver a Winning Performance:
- Question Authority
- Walk the Talk
- Share Knowledge
- Listen, not just Hear
- See the Glass Half Full
- Take Educated Risks
- Enjoy the Ride
- Share the Spotlight
- Do the Right Thing
- Test Your Limits
We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:
- Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care
- Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
- Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
- Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
- Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development and Tuition Assistance Programs
Who you are:
- A Leader. You build effective teams and provide direction to help those teams achieve goals and operate cooperatively and cohesively.
- A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you connect well with others.
- A Talent Owner. You will use a variety of approaches to help others develop their capabilities.
- A Savvy Operator. You understand the business and use good judgment to guide it.
- Organized and Accountable. You have exceptional management abilities and can juggle the needs of changing priorities at your communities while accomplishing objectives through motivating a high-performing team.
- Creative. You are an idea person and like coming up with smart solutions and new challenges.
- Levelheaded. You keep your cool during stressful situations and quickly find solutions.
- Flexible and Adaptable. You understand that the world does not exist through black-and-white lenses and embrace the opportunity to live in the gray.
- Confident and Decisive. You take initiative, trust your gut, and are not afraid to make decisions or deliver a difficult message.
- Motivated. You invest extra energy to reach your goals and help your teams reach theirs.
- Solution-Oriented. You follow through on commitments, letting your teams and residents know that they matter.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Provide leadership and direction to the management teams of approximately three to five properties, ensuring that properties are operating under all applicable EQR policies, procedures and programs.
- Teach and model strong real estate and people judgment.
- Motivate staff through positive recognition and strong leadership.
- Implement company-wide initiatives by marshalling resources within the portfolio to remove obstacles and deliver results, communicating the “why” to lead change and deliver results, and adapting company initiatives within the scope of the program to meet property-specific needs.
- Monitor performance of portfolio, people and functional groups. Understand financial statements and property metrics to assess portfolio performance and drive business results.
- Prepare and assist Vice President in preparing the annual budget and make recommendations regarding the operating plans and capital improvement projects for each property, monitoring budget compliance and operating plans throughout the year.
- Play a key role at portfolio/regional meetings, presenting information about goals and/or results, employee recognition, etc.
- Collaborate with corporate departments in the implementation and monitoring of programs and processes at the properties. These include legal and audit compliance, regulatory agency compliance, risk management, safety, marketing initiatives, training, pricing, procurement, preventive maintenance, contract services, and ancillary services.
- Oversee the administration of all maintenance and leasing activities at the properties. Conduct property visits/inspections and provide direction on operations and resident issues. Interact with residents to resolve escalated customer service issues.
- Review and approve reports from properties including payroll changes, payables, and status reports. Approve purchase orders and invoices as necessary.
- Perform duties normally associated with a supervisory position, such as hiring, training, coaching, workforce planning, performance management, salary administration, disciplinary counseling, and termination of subordinates. Guide Community Managers on the same matters. Maintain an open door policy to address employee issues and concerns.
- Perform market analysis of competitive product and review results of competitive surveys with the Pricing Department to develop pricing strategies and monitor results. Communicate frequently with the Vice President, Investments Team, and other senior management, keeping them informed of any market changes, staffing issues and capital items.
- Ensure a smooth transition during the management of property dispositions or acquisitions within the assigned portfolio.
- Professionally represent the company at all times. Consistently maintain a professional, courteous attitude when dealing with residents, subordinates, coworkers, and the general public.
What You'll Need to Thrive:
- Minimum of 3 years of multi-site portfolio management and supervisory experience
- Top-notch communication skills, including excellent writing, presenting, and public speaking abilities
- Demonstrated leadership abilities with community teams and peers, strong personnel management skills, and excellent communication skills required
- Solid track record of employee development and engagement
- A proven performer with a reputation for results and attention to detail
Bonus Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree strongly preferred
- Relevant industry designation (CAM, CPM, etc.) and active involvement with industry associations (NAA, IREM, etc.) a plus
- High-rise and mixed-use (retail) experience highly desired