Maintenance Operations Manager

About the Role

Birge & Held is committed to bringing excitement and energy to the business of multifamily housing. As the Maintenance Operations Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day maintenance of the assigned B&H portfolio, ensuring physical assets are maintained to the highest standards. This hands-on leadership role involves managing on-site maintenance teams, optimizing preventative maintenance programs, and ensuring compliance with safety and operational protocols. The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-driven leader with strong technical skills and excellent organizational abilities. This role reports to the Operations Manager.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Team Oversight
  • Oversee and support property-level Service Managers and maintenance staff across assigned B&H properties.
  • Train, mentor, and evaluate maintenance team members; participate in hiring, coaching, and performance reviews.
  • Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and high performance throughout the maintenance team.
• Preventive Maintenance and Asset Preservation
  • Develop, implement, and monitor preventive maintenance programs to reduce downtime and extend the life of community assets.
  • Perform regular property inspections and audits to identify maintenance needs, safety risks, and improvement opportunities.
  • Confirm accurate replacement of capital items, ensuring proper evaluation of repair vs. replacement decisions.
  • Ensure standard response expectations are met: completion of work orders within 48 hours (excluding emergencies) and unit turns within five working days, unless otherwise directed by the Community Manager.
• Project Coordination and Capital Improvements
  • Partner with Operations Managers to schedule and execute renovation and capital improvement projects.
  • Monitor project timelines, budgets, and vendor performance to ensure timely and quality outcomes.
• Regulatory and Safety Compliance
  • Ensure all maintenance activities comply with OSHA regulations and local, state, and federal laws.
  • Promote and enforce safe work practices across all maintenance operations.
• Vendor and Contract Management
  • Manage vendor relationships and oversee third-party service providers, including those handling landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and general maintenance.
  • Ensure cost-effective use of vendors while adhering to property budgets and prioritizing quality and value.
• Inventory and Procurement Management
  • Maintain control of maintenance supply inventories and oversee procurement of tools, parts, and equipment.
  • Ensure efficient and cost-effective supply usage across all communities.
• Emergency and On-Call Support
  • Provide after-hours support and respond to emergency maintenance needs across the portfolio as required.
  • Ensure on-call responsibilities are distributed and covered across all communities appropriately.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting
  • Track and report key maintenance performance indicators (KPIs), including work order completion times, budget adherence, and asset condition trends.
  • Collaborate with leadership on improvement strategies and cost-saving initiatives.
• Hands-On Support and Site Coverage
  • Perform on-site maintenance work as needed to support property functionality and address high-priority issues.
  • Maintain grounds as necessary to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for residents and visitors.
  • Assist with other B&H assets as needed to drive company-wide success.

Requirements

• At least three to five years of demonstrated success in apartment maintenance.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in HVAC or formal technical training in heating and air conditioning is required.
• EPA certification required for refrigerant handling, or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.
• HVAC certification required.
• Experience in residential property maintenance.
• Working knowledge of OSHA standards and other environmental safety standards.
• Self-motivated with the ability to complete assigned tasks and negotiate competitive pricing of supplies and contracted work.
• Must provide your own hand tools including but not limited to power drills, impacts, and all non-powered hand tools.
• Able to operate all necessary tools to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Able to multi-task and prioritize work orders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to perform at high levels in a fast-paced work environment and successfully adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Able to think logically to troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound business decisions.
• Able to lift, push, and pull up to 75 pounds.
• Able to perform a variety of duties in all types of weather.
• Smartphone preferred for work purposes.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
  • Up to 18 days of PTO per year.
  • 12 full days and two half-day holidays, including a floating holiday and your birthday.
  • Veterans Day as a paid day off for military veterans.
  • 8 hours of Volunteer Paid Time Off (PTO) each year.
• Leave Benefits
  • Up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave.
  • 6 weeks of paid childbirth leave.
• Financial Incentives
  • Monthly commission opportunities and additional quarterly bonuses based on site-specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Exclusive employee discounts at Birge & Held properties.
• Wellness
  • Up to $25 in monthly gym membership reimbursements.
  • Access to certified health coaches.
• Healthcare
  • Competitive dental, vision, and comprehensive medical plans.
  • Online tools to help manage healthcare benefits.
• Retirement
  • 401(k) plan with competitive employer contributions.
• Insurance
  • Company-paid basic life insurance policy with the opportunity to elect supplemental life insurance.
  • Optional ancillary benefits including Long-Term Disability (LTD), Short-Term Disability (STD), and Critical Illness Insurance.
• Additional Perks
  • Monthly phone stipend of up to $50.
  • Tuition reimbursement program and support from a dedicated Talent Development team.
  • Recognition as part of an organization consistently named one of the Top Workplaces in the USA.