Area Manager Or Regional Manager

As an Area Manager or Regional Manager, your days will be full, fast-paced, and challenging. You will monitor a wide array of performance metrics, implement strategies to meet operational and leasing goals, analyze and respond to changing market conditions, and identify areas for improvement. You will direct operational, sales, and maintenance initiatives throughout your portfolio, exemplifying Equity Residential’s brand each and every day by thinking like an owner and ensuring that your team members have the resources they need to be successful, and to deliver on our resident commitments.

To be a successful Area Manager or Regional Manager, you will spend more time at our communities than in the corporate office — walking your communities with Community Managers and Service Managers and supplementing your already robust knowledge of your communities, competitors, and market conditions with direct feedback and input from our property management team members. You will also leverage your strengths in relationship building on a daily basis, partnering with colleagues across all levels and departments of the organization (Facilities, Investments, HR, Capital/Renovation, etc.) with the shared goal of maximizing the potential of asset performance and property management employees in your region.

At Equity, being a leader is much more than sitting in an office directing others from behind a computer screen; we believe in leading by example and walking in the shoes of the people you manage. To be a successful Regional Manager, you will spend more time in the field than in the corporate office — walking your communities with Community Managers and Service Managers and supplementing your already robust knowledge of your communities, competitors, and market conditions with direct feedback and input of all on-site team members. You will also leverage your strengths in relationship building on a daily basis, partnering with colleagues across all levels and departments of the organization (Facilities, Investments, HR, Capital/Renovation, etc.) with the shared goal of maximizing the potential of asset performance and property employees in your region.

WHO YOU ARE

• 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.
• Solution-Oriented. You follow through on commitments, letting your teams and residents know that they matter.
• A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you connect well with others.
• Motivated. You invest extra energy to reach your goals and help your teams reach theirs.
• Confident and Decisive. You take initiative, trust your gut, and are not afraid to make decisions or deliver a difficult message.
• Organized and Accountable. You have exceptional management abilities and are able to 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.
• A Leader. You build effective teams and provide direction to help those teams achieve goals and operate cooperatively and cohesively.
• 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.
• Levelheaded. You keep your cool during stressful situations and quickly find solutions.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Motivate staff through positive recognition and strong leadership.
• 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.
• Review and approve reports from properties including payroll changes, payables, and status reports. Approve purchase orders and invoices as necessary.
• 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.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintain a professional, courteous attitude when dealing with residents, subordinates, coworkers, and the general public.
• Implement company-wide initiatives by marshalling resources within the portfolio to remove obstacles and deliver results, communicating the “why” in order to lead change and deliver results, and adapting company initiatives within the scope of the program to meet property-specific needs.
• Ensure a smooth transition during the management of property dispositions or acquisitions within the assigned portfolio.
• 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.
• Teach and model strong real estate and people judgment.
• 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.
• Play a key role at portfolio/regional meetings, presenting information pertaining to goals and/or results, employee recognition, etc.
• Monitor performance of portfolio, people and functional groups. Understand financial statements and property metrics to assess portfolio performance and drive business results.
• 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. Provide guidance to Community Managers on the same matters. Maintain an open door policy to address employee issues and concerns.
• 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.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ideal candidates will be at the top of their class with a solid track record of employee development and engagement, top-­notch communication skills, and excellent leadership abilities with community teams and peers
• Proven organization and prioritization skills; ability to successfully navigate multiple stakeholders and priorities
• Due to the complexity and high-profile nature of this portfolio, the minimum experience required is 3+ years CM experience, with 400+ units and proven ability to successfully manage multi-site dynamics effectively
• Experience with complex property operations is a must
• Demonstrated ability to act in a strategic manner and support enterprise-wide initiatives required

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• 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

ABOUT US

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means living our purpose: creating communities where people thrive. It means striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together.

Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, and Denver – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, as evidenced by our employee engagement scores and customer loyalty ratings. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to thrive.

Equity Rewards

When you join Equity Residential, you won’t be treated as simply another employee — you will be considered a partner in our shared success. As such, we are committed to investing in your personal success through a benefits program that supports your Total Wellbeing.

We recognize that everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique benefits options to employees, like a comprehensive wellness program, pet insurance, new parent benefits, and paid time off for community service projects. In addition to your next job, you can also find your next home with us! Rent discounts on Equity Residential apartment homes are available to our benefits-eligible employees. The amount of the discount offered is determined based on the market, ranging upwards from 20%. Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.