Lease Up Specialist

We are seeking a Lease Up Specialist (“LUS”) to join a dynamic team responsible for the initial lease-up of new Pennrose properties. This role works alongside the stabilized property management team and other LUS team members to ensure efficient and effective lease-up of new properties.

About the role

The LUS will lead onsite application and compliance processes, deliver excellent customer service to new and existing residents, and manage multiple tasks effectively and accurately. Engaged from pre-leasing through substantial completion of the lease-up process, the LUS will then transition to the next lease-up project, leaving the stabilized operations team in place.

With expertise in the Pennrose leasing process, the LUS will be proficient in the technological platforms that support lease-up, ensuring applications and leases are completed, resident files are set up, first-year tax credit files are established, and first-year file audits are completed. The role involves collaboration with internal departments such as marketing, development, and IT to communicate lease-up status and challenges.

The LUS will pursue full occupancy and optimize rental income while adhering to program requirements and market conditions, acting as a steward for each property’s success. This role supports the development and training of onsite staff and pursues professional development through the Pennrose Academy. The Lease Up Specialist reports to the Regional Transition Manager.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage the overall lease-up process for assigned developments, including rent achievement, clean compliance file submissions, accurate move-ins, and accurate tracking of all activities using provided tools.
• Process and approve accurate and complete files for upload to Yardi Right Source for compliance review with minimal corrections.
• Report frequently with detailed updates on lease-up progress, including status of specific files, application volume per unit type, and maintain an updated internal tracking database.
• Proactively advise the broader lease-up team about potential concerns or issues, such as low activity, housing partner challenges, or other obstacles.
• Consistently market the property to high standards, optimize curb appeal, and successfully convert applicant traffic or waitlists to residency while meeting all Fair Housing requirements.
• Understand all aspects of affordable housing and market-rate program features for assigned properties to optimize financial and operational performance.
• Proactively manage housing authority partner subsidy programs and other agency relationships as needed.
• Ensure utilities are placed into new residents’ names at move-in and all utility benchmarking addendums are signed.
• Inspect leasing spaces and turned-over properties daily, addressing maintenance needs and safety conditions.
• Provide input to transition and development planning processes, lease-up, stabilized and first-year budget processes, and examine expenditures for cost savings and efficiencies.
• Participate in unit and other acceptance walks as needed.
• Process re-certifications (when applicable), build and manage credible waiting lists for each unit type, anticipate issues impacting occupancy and financial performance, and meet deadlines proactively.
• Train new team members on customer service, professionalism, safe work practices, effective property inspections, vendor management, and the use of technology such as Mobile Maintenance, Yardi, Fair Housing, and Risk Management initiatives.
• Serve as a role model, mentor, coach, and trusted resource to field staff and residents.
• Support Pennrose Academy efforts to enhance staff technical expertise.

Performance Metrics

• Developments successfully meet all aspects of lease-up budgets.
• Developments meet all development deadlines and targets; mitigate damage when construction-related delays occur.
• Developments are successfully stabilized in conjunction with the Operations team.
• First-year file audits are accepted by investor/state agencies with no more than one round of corrections.
• Properties do not experience insurance claims due to staff neglect.
• Resident and applicant satisfaction surveys yield consistently positive results.

Requirements

• High School Diploma (College degree a plus).
• Four years of increasing property management responsibilities preferred.
• Knowledge of both affordable and market-rate housing; lease-up experience a plus.
• Industry training credentials that authenticate understanding of rental housing programs.
• Valid driver’s license, insured vehicle, and ability to travel between properties.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work periodic flexible hours.
• Ability to travel by plane, train, and automobile.
• Ability to work at property locations within or near transitional neighborhoods.
• Ability to climb stairs, take elevators, bend, squat, and reach overhead.
• Travel by car, train, plane, or bus 75%–90% of the time.

Pay

$65,000 – $70,000 + bonus