Portfolio Manager, New Development

About the role

The Portfolio Manager New Development is responsible for the operations, leasing, and marketing of an assigned portfolio of ground-up developments from pre-development, through active lease-up, and until transitioned to stabilized operations. The role leverages departmental, intracompany, intercompany, and external resources to drive operational performance, efficiency, consistency, and innovation across the portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategic Planning
  • Primary point of contact for clients, managing relationships and maintaining satisfaction.
  • Develop strong working relationships with internal and external constituents.
  • Collaborate with internal departments (Systems Team, Business Development, Transitions Team, Accounting, Management Services, People and Culture).
  • Update and adhere to the Lease-Up Transition Tracker to ensure clear communication and deadlines.
  • Prepare and interpret reports for auditing property performance.
  • Track industry and non-industry trends to bring innovative marketing ideas to lease-up.
  • Attend weekly client calls to present leasing updates and marketing strategies.
  • Promote and embody Cardinal Core Values daily.
  • Manage new development funding requests and true-ups during lease-up.
• Operations, Admin, and Financial Management
  • Review the new property transition list and work with partners to complete it.
  • Facilitate the opening and ongoing operations of the leasing office.
  • Maintain operational property information (vendor contacts, employee rosters, budgets, marketing strategy).
  • Prepare and present the initial lease-up budget based on client underwriting, TCO date, unit delivery, and absorption schedule.
  • Prepare and present proposed rates, premiums, and leasing fees for client approval.
  • Review monthly variance reports and submit them to clients.
  • Provide quarterly forecasts based on market demand and leasing velocity.
  • Complete regular lease audits to ensure compliance.
  • Finalize leases and addendums.
  • Set up Entrata and Terrain.
• Personnel
  • Prepare a lease-up staffing plan.
  • Collaborate with stabilized Portfolio Manager on staffing transition plans.
  • Hire, train, and onboard the Community Manager with input from the stabilized Portfolio Manager.
  • Oversee the Community Manager in on-site hiring efforts.
  • Engage in leasing, follow-up, and outreach to model ideal execution.
  • Monitor team member performance and provide development or corrective action as needed.
  • Support Community Managers to ensure policies and procedures are followed.
• Marketing and Branding
  • Work with contracted marketing agencies on naming, branding, collateral, website, imagery, and signage.
  • Prepare the marketing plan, budget, and goals for each property and present them for client review.
  • Train the on-site team on the brand and ensure brand vision is achieved.
  • Review and approve each community’s Monthly Marketing Plan (MMP).
  • Meet with Community Manager and Leasing Team prior to launch to optimize efforts.
  • Review property website, collateral, and ads for accuracy.
  • Guide on-site team members on marketing initiatives (housing fairs, open houses, events, social media, SEO/PPC, etc.).
  • Monitor effectiveness of marketing mediums and adjust as needed.
• Leasing and Training
  • Create property-specific training materials covering brand, market, competitive advantages, apartment features, and location.
  • Conduct training for on-site team members prior to lease launch.
  • Execute the approved “Cardinal Leasing Experience” (sales, customer service, curb appeal, model presentation, leasing technology).
  • Provide on-site leasing, sales, and marketing training with regular feedback via phone, video, or in-person role-playing.
  • Audit unit assignments to maximize open units.

Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in property management with a focus on leasing and marketing.
• Experience with lease-up student communities required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to motivate and energize a team.
• Analytical skills for leasing data (traffic volume, closing ratios, market comparables, lease signing velocity, rental rates, concession analysis).
• Knowledge of leasing and sales techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and community management software.
• Ability to define problems, collect/analyze data, and draw valid conclusions.
• Understanding of Fair Housing Laws and standards.
• Ability to embody Cardinal Culture and Core Values daily.
• Willingness to travel up to 40%.

Work Environment

Primarily an office environment with frequent exposure to apartment buildings, amenities, and outdoor elements (weather, odors, landscape). Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Physical Demands

• Regular use of hands for typing, handling, or feeling; frequent standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, or squatting.
• Ability to work inside and outside in all weather conditions (rain, snow, heat, hail, wind, sleet).
• Must be able to access all exterior and interior parts of properties and amenities.
• Ability to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Routine local travel and occasional overnight travel for training, client visits, or property visits.

Pay

If this job is performed in Colorado, the salary range is $105,000 - $120,000 plus bonus potential.

Benefits

• Health, vision, dental, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Student loan assistance.
• Licensing and continuing education reimbursement.
• Parental leave.
• Housing allowances or gifts.