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Community Manager

Scope and Purpose

The Community Manager is a high-impact, on-the-ground leadership role responsible for every aspect of a single-site residential community—from daily operations and leasing performance to resident experience and team development. At Zellis, the Community Manager doesn’t just keep a building running; they set the tone for what it feels like to live there.

This property presents a unique challenge and opportunity. The building requires significant rehabilitation and renovation, which means you’ll be managing active operations alongside capital improvement work—coordinating with construction teams, managing resident communication through disruptions, and turning over units to a higher standard as renovation phases are completed. This is not a stabilized asset on autopilot. It’s a property in transition, and we need someone who thrives in that environment.

Because a significant portion of our resident population is Spanish-speaking, bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred for this role. The ability to communicate directly with residents in their primary language—without relying on translation—is critical to building trust, resolving concerns quickly, and delivering the hospitality-grade experience that defines Zellis.

We don’t just manage buildings—we create places people love to live. And at this property, we’re building that from the ground up.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations & Renovation Coordination

Direct day-to-day property operations including leasing, maintenance coordination, vendor management, safety and security, and administrative functions.
Serve as the on-site point of coordination between property operations and renovation/construction teams, ensuring resident life is minimally disrupted during active rehab phases.
Manage unit turnover strategy in coordination with renovation timelines—sequencing make-readies, prioritizing upgraded units for leasing, and maintaining occupancy through transition periods.
Conduct regular property inspections to assess building condition, identify deferred maintenance, and ensure renovated spaces meet Zellis quality standards.
Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, building codes, and local housing requirements, particularly during active construction and renovation.

Leasing & Revenue Performance

Own leasing performance for the property—driving traffic, converting prospects, and meeting occupancy and revenue goals even during renovation-related disruption.
Oversee lease administration including new leases, renewals, rent collection, delinquency follow-up, and enforcement of community policies.
Collaborate with marketing to promote available units, highlight renovation progress, and position the property competitively in the market.
Produce weekly and monthly reports for Regional Management and ownership covering leasing activity, availability, renewals, renovation milestones, and lease expirations.
Maintain complete, accurate community files and records; oversee audits to ensure lease data accuracy in Yardi.

Resident Experience & Community Building

Build strong, trust-based relationships with residents—communicating proactively about renovation schedules, service disruptions, and property improvements in both English and Spanish.
Serve as the primary point of contact for resident concerns, addressing inquiries and resolving conflicts with empathy, urgency, and professionalism.
Develop and execute community engagement initiatives that foster belonging and increase resident retention, especially during the uncertainty of active renovations.
Monitor resident feedback and satisfaction metrics, using insights to continuously improve service delivery and inform operational decisions.
Ensure that every resident interaction—from a maintenance request to a hallway conversation—reflects the hospitality standard that defines Zellis.

Financial Management & Reporting

Create and manage property budgets, balancing fiscal responsibility with the operational demands of an active renovation environment.
Coordinate the collection and documentation of all revenues in line with resident lease obligations.
Engage, contract, and supervise vendors while approving invoices for goods and services that support the community.
Prepare financial reports and operational documentation for Regional Management, ownership, and internal stakeholders.
Track renovation-related expenses and timelines as they intersect with property operations, flagging variances early.

Team Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop the on-site team—including leasing staff, maintenance technicians, and any temporary support during renovation phases.
Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and hold the team accountable to Zellis standards.
Support recruiting and onboarding of new team members, ensuring they are set up for success from day one.
Foster a culture of ownership, pride, and service—where every team member understands that their work directly shapes the resident experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Other Qualities

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred—the ability to communicate naturally with residents in their primary language is a significant advantage in this role.
Confident, hands-on leader who takes ownership of property operations and leads by example.
Comfortable managing operations during active renovation or construction—you’ve done it before and you know how to keep residents happy while the building improves around them.
Strong financial and organizational skills with the ability to manage budgets, vendor relationships, and reporting simultaneously.
Solutions-driven mindset—you see renovation disruption as a challenge to manage, not a reason things can’t work.
Proactive communicator who keeps residents, leadership, and vendors informed without being asked.

Competencies

Ownership Mindset – Takes full accountability for the property—its condition, its residents, and its performance. Doesn’t wait to be told. When something needs attention, it’s already being handled.

Leadership & Coaching – Leads with purpose and empathy; sets direction clearly while empowering others to own their work. Builds trust through accountability and open communication. Develops team members toward their next level.

Communication – Speaks and writes clearly in both English and Spanish. Keeps residents, staff, and ownership informed with timely updates—no one has to chase for status. Practices active listening and demonstrates professionalism in all interactions.

Client Focus – Builds strong, trusting relationships with residents, team members, and vendors; delivers exceptional service that reflects care, consistency, and professionalism—especially during the complexity of active renovation.

Resilience & Adaptability – Thrives in a dynamic environment where renovation timelines shift, priorities change, and creative problem-solving is required daily. Stays composed under pressure and keeps the team grounded.

Integrity & Compliance – Upholds company policies, ethical standards, and Fair Housing laws. Maintains confidentiality and demonstrates reliability in all business practices.

Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving – Analyzes challenges, identifies options, and takes decisive action. Engages relevant stakeholders, considers impacts, and implements solutions that are timely, practical, and fair.

Experience, Training and Education

Minimum of 3 years of property management experience, with direct responsibility for leasing, operations, and team leadership.
Prior experience managing a property during renovation, rehabilitation, or lease-up is strongly preferred.
Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
College degree preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and property management software required; Yardi Voyager experience preferred.
Familiarity with local real estate laws, Fair Housing regulations, and compliance standards.
Previous experience managing multifamily residential communities preferred.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

Move about the property, including climbing stairs, walking outdoors in various weather conditions, and accessing all areas—including active renovation zones—as needed.
Sit for extended periods while working on a computer or attending meetings.
Communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital platforms—in both English and Spanish as needed.
Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds (e.g., marketing materials, packages, office supplies).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Driving Requirements

Valid driver’s license and personal transportation required for tasks such as market surveys, vendor meetings, property errands, and corporate office visits.

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