Chattanooga, Tennessee – Community Area Manager (Multifamily & Affordable Housing)

About Us

Columbia Residential is the leading property management and development company in this region, specializing in the low-affordable market. Our mission is to provide quality, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families while fostering an environment for our team members to excel, thrive, and be recognized. We are a growing, mission-driven real estate organization that prides itself on a culture of excellence, integrity, responsibility, responsiveness, respect, and character.

About the role

The Community Area Manager is the result-driven leader responsible for achieving exceptional financial performance goals and maintaining the physical condition and marketability of properties for three communities. They develop and lead strong property management, compliance, leasing, maintenance, and resident services teams to accomplish short- and long-term objectives for assigned portfolios and established performance benchmarks. The Area Manager serves as a fiduciary of Columbia Residential, maintaining a high degree of trust, loyalty, and truthfulness. Direct reports include Community Managers, Assistant Community Managers, and Senior Community Managers.

Responsibilities

• Meet or exceed established financial performance objectives and manage portfolio financial operations in accordance with company and regulatory guidelines.
• Develop and lead strong property management teams to accomplish short- and long-term objectives and established performance benchmarks.
• Ensure complete and accurate resident information is recorded and all documents meet legal requirements and company policies (lease execution, applications, eviction process, etc.).
• Collaborate to set operational goals for each property and establish company standards for property operations, leasing, collections, customer service, and workplace safety.
• Foster a professional image in all aspects of property operations by setting a positive example for staff.
• Enforce and adhere to company policies, rules, and regulations; represent Columbia Residential to the public and develop partnerships with public officials, businesses, and agencies.
• Demonstrate sound decision-making, problem-solving, and effective communication of standards and performance expectations to property personnel.
• Ensure issues are thoroughly addressed and effectively resolved; participate in team and project meetings.
• Utilize training, coaching, employee evaluations, and other means to ensure employee performance consistently meets or exceeds standards; address performance weaknesses where necessary.
• Preserve and respect resident and applicant confidentiality.
• Ensure program compliance with REAC, LIHTC, HUD, other agencies, and lenders.
• Implement procedures for timely rent collection and strong efforts to recover lost income; understand the budget process through analysis of operating statements and develop strategies to meet or exceed budgeted income and expense levels.
• Maximize income through increased rental rates, collection of miscellaneous income, and effective resident retention programs.
• Oversee preparation of annual operating budgets and perform budget projections for all properties; analyze actual income and expenses against approved budgets, direct corrective action, and request appropriate budgetary adjustments.
• Conduct financial results reviews with Community Managers, Assistant Community Managers, and site employees on a routine basis; forecast and identify problems and take corrective action.
• Execute a preventive maintenance program and preserve the physical assets for staff, residents, and investors; oversee the physical condition and security of all communities.
• Maintain knowledge of the physical condition of all properties and UPCS/REAC readiness; conduct physical site inspections and make recommendations for exterior and interior apartment improvements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum five years of multisite property management experience including staff management and development; budgeting/financial analysis preferred.
• Mixed-income, mixed-financed residential property management experience required.
• CPM or equivalent certification preferred.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven expertise in Project Based Section 8, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs, and HOME programs.
• Ability to manage projects from conceptualization to implementation; strong interpersonal skills including conflict management and employee motivation.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and OneSite; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial, flexible, creative, and detail-oriented; ability to handle emergencies and pressure due to complexity and time sensitivity.
• Extensive travel required; on-call 24/7 for emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Supplemental insurance (AFLAC)
• Prescription drug coverage
• Flexible spending account
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Employee assistance program
• Performance-based bonus program
• Tuition and professional development assistance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Basic life insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Paid time off (including your birthday)
• Paid holidays
• Health reimbursement account
• Employee referral program