Director - Living Property Operations

About the Role

The Director of Living Management plays a key leadership role in shaping and governing operational standards, programs, policies, and reporting frameworks for Hines’ residential and mixed-use portfolio. This position partners with property, continental, and fund teams to support operational strategies and ensure alignment with firmwide goals. The Director oversees the development and implementation of procedures that promote consistency, quality, and resident satisfaction, and may support on-site teams in assessing operational performance, identifying areas of risk, and delivering training to reinforce compliance and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Hines’ Living Management platform across multifamily and mixed-use properties, driving premium rent strategies and high occupancy through operational excellence and exceptional resident experience.
• Develop and govern policies, procedures, and standards that directly support rent optimization, monetizable services, and differentiated community offerings to enhance asset value and competitiveness.
• Oversee service partner performance with a focus on delivering elevated amenities and premium resident services that justify top-tier rental pricing and increase retention.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement technology platforms that enhance resident convenience, enable service monetization (e.g., concierge, smart home integration), and support proactive lease management.
• Contribute to firmwide initiatives that improve operating margins, unlock new revenue streams, and position Hines communities as market leaders in lifestyle, hospitality, and convenience.
• Advise on community design and amenity programming during development, lease-up, and repositioning phases to ensure offerings align with target demographics and support premium pricing.
• Lead or support regular community experience assessments focused on amenity utilization, resident satisfaction, and service delivery quality—all factors impacting lease renewals and rent growth.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external providers to align community operations with financial goals and brand positioning.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop scalable toolkits that streamline operations, enhance upsell opportunities, and improve the consistency of premium service delivery.
• Leverage data on occupancy trends, rent roll performance, amenity usage, and resident feedback to inform dynamic pricing, retention strategies, and service investment decisions.
• Mentor property and community managers on strategies for revenue growth, hospitality-driven management, and proactive engagement to reduce vacancy and turnover.
• Partner with Learning & Development to deliver training that equips teams to maximize rent potential through superior service, amenities management, and resident relations.
• Coordinate with Central Operations, Asset Management, and Risk to ensure all community practices contribute to long-term asset appreciation and occupancy optimization.
• Contribute to pilot programs and innovation initiatives that test new monetization models (e.g., flexible leasing, premium access tiers, or amenity subscriptions).
• Represent Hines in resident forums and industry platforms as a leader in community-focused strategies that deliver measurable financial outcomes and tenant loyalty.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Hospitality/Event Management, Human Resources, or Organizational Psychology from an accredited institution preferred, or equivalent years of direct experience required.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in residential or multifamily maintenance operations.
• Proven leadership of geographically distributed teams, including oversight of vendor performance and staff development.
• Deep expertise in multifamily and mixed-use community management, applying operational strategies that drive premium rents, maximize asset performance, and enhance the resident experience.
• Experience developing and governing toolkits, policies, and procedures that ensure unit readiness, seamless move-ins, efficient turn processes, and monetization of amenities and services.
• Fluency in community operations systems (e.g., property management software, leasing platforms, and data dashboards) to support scalable execution and consistent service delivery across diverse property types.
• Ability to leverage occupancy, rent roll, and service utilization data to inform decisions that increase retention, optimize pricing strategy, and improve the profitability of ancillary offerings.
• Critical thinking and structured planning to identify inefficiencies, mitigate risk, and develop innovative approaches that align with both resident needs and ownership objectives.
• Continuous evaluation of performance metrics and benchmarking insights to refine strategies and maintain a competitive market position.
• Strong communication skills to engage with internal stakeholders, property teams, and ownership groups, ensuring alignment on strategic goals related to occupancy, rent optimization, and service standards.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Operations, Asset Management, and Learning & Development to integrate resident experience strategies into broader business objectives.
• Leadership in developing and disseminating toolkits, templates, and messaging that standardize service delivery while allowing for localized execution and community-specific adjustments.
• Strategic leadership and mentorship to Living Management teams, fostering a performance-driven culture grounded in resident satisfaction, operational excellence, and financial stewardship.
• Champion a resident-first mindset while instilling accountability and professional development across property-level and corporate leadership roles.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Hines’ values and Living brand standards, empowering teams to build strong community connections, deliver premium service experiences, and uphold occupancy goals across the portfolio.
• Regular virtual collaboration with cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams via video conferencing, email, and collaborative platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, SharePoint).
• Domestic and occasional international travel required to support global property teams, attend strategic meetings, vendor evaluations, or participate in special projects or training sessions.
• Ability to physically navigate building systems, including climbing stairs or ladders and accessing equipment rooms, as needed for inspections, emergency drills, or operational reviews.
• Availability outside of standard business hours to provide 24/7 support during emergencies, including on-site leadership in the event of natural disasters or critical incidents.

Pay

Chicago Compensation: $165,700 - $223,700

About Hines

At Hines, we strive for excellence as a leading global real estate investment manager, driven by our belief that real estate is fundamentally about people. Our diverse portfolio spans $93.2 billion of assets across living, office, retail, mixed-use, logistics, and life science projects—all designed to enhance value, connection, and inspiration. Our strategic approach integrates local expertise with global knowledge, taking calculated risks aligned with our convictions to exceed expectations and tailor solutions to our clients' needs.

While our projects are renowned for enhancing cities and pioneering sustainable practices, we recognize that the true driving force behind Hines' success is our 5,000 dedicated employees in 30 countries who draw on our 65-year history to build the world forward. We prioritize investing in our people, offering comprehensive training, competitive compensation, robust benefits, and generous vacation packages. By centering our focus on the growth and wellbeing of our team, we cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone, including our clients, can thrive.

Hines is proud to be named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024.