The Director of Community Management will lead operations for an exclusive, large portfolio, with accountability for maximizing net operating income, developing top talent, and driving competitive advantage. The Director will execute and evolve the company’s investment and operating strategy, working in close partnership with Revenue Management, Finance, Development, Marketing, HR, Legal, Technology, and other key functions. The role requires a balance of strategic vision, operational excellence, and innovative thinking to deliver best-in-class results.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
- Own full P&L responsibility for a large-scale portfolio.
- Lead a team of General Community and General Operations Managers (who themselves are responsible for a portfolio of assets) throughout the portfolio and ensure the execution of the strategic plan is being implemented flawlessly.
- Ensure achievement of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives through the organization down to the individual asset level.
- Drive NOI growth by optimizing revenue streams, managing expenses, and scaling innovative business practices.
- Ensure superior resident experiences by setting service standards that create differentiation and competitive advantage.
- Oversee the annual operating plan and budget, aligning execution with financial and strategic objectives.
- Inspire teams through coaching, mentoring, career development, and career pathing, cultivating a culture of high performance and accountability.
- Establish enhanced standards, deployment and accountability for implementation and evaluation of high-quality resident experiences. This includes leveraging technology, top-tier engagement with site staff, and superior community relations.
- Promote innovation to maximize revenue streams; capture an ever-changing target market(s) and scale key initiatives quickly and effectively.
- Maintain a deep understanding of local market dynamics (competition, supply pipeline, demand drivers, major tenants, market absorption) for managed assets.
- Continuously evaluate and improve organizational processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency, scalability, and innovation.
- Strengthen brand reputation and market presence to position the company as the preferred choice for residents.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
- 7+ years of leadership experience in operations, asset management, or portfolio management.
- Proven track record of P&L accountability and delivering NOI growth.
- Significant people leadership experience managing complex and multi-level teams that are geographically dispersed.
- Strong business and financial acumen with advanced analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate and influence within matrixed organizations, which require significant influencing and collaboration skills.
WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
- Frequent engagement with residents, clients, and stakeholders requiring strong communication and professional presence.
- Requires the ability to work Monday through Friday. Entails in-person office requirements located at Essex's corporate office in Woodland Hills, or Irvine.
- Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, with a regular need to walk properties. This may involve walking and the use of stairs for prolonged periods of time. Involves the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers.
- Frequent travel to various locations for meetings, projects, property visits, or on-site work. Ability to perform property walk-throughs, which may involve extended walking, stair use, and site inspections.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:
- Leadership expertise in planning, organizing, and directing large functional teams, with a mix of direct and matrixed reports. Approves subordinate's recommendations for staff recruitment, selection, promotion, advancement, corrective action and termination. Effectively recommends same for direct reports to next level management for review and approval.
- Skilled in talent management, including recruitment, development, coaching, performance management, and retention. Monitors appropriate staffing levels and reports on utilization and deployment of human resources. Leads and supports staff in areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising and rewarding performance and retention.
- Leads by example and models behaviors that are consistent with the company's values.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively, address sensitive issues with professionalism, and consistently deliver timely, reliable, and customer-focused service.
- Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills with the ability to interpret complex data and drive outcomes
- Proven success in setting standards, achieving results, and building long-term business impact.
Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.
The pay range for this position is $138,000.00 - $207,000.00 per year. New hires generally start between $138,000.00 - $172,000.00 per year. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.This role is also eligible to participate in Essex’s discretionary Annual Bonus program that is commensurate with the level of the position.
What We Do
Essex Property Trust, Inc., is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Since its founding in 1971, Essex has made a commitment to the vibrant coastal economies in which we operate, we continually push to innovate, improve, and add value to the lives of our residents, associates, and shareholders.
Working at Essex is more than just a job. We believe our employees deserve a rewarding career with opportunities to grow their knowledge, skills and experiences, and we pride ourselves on five values to ensure we're staying true to ourselves and the communities that we serve: act with integrity, care about what matters, do right with urgency, lead at every level and seek fairness.
Our employee experience is driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse team of people with common values. We pursue excellence at every turn and aim to re-imagine our people programs with technology-driven innovations, upgrading and standardizing how we work, and offering programs that allow our employees to achieve physical, mental and financial well-being. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career, knowing we’re always dreaming up what is next at Essex.
