Corporate Leasing Manager

Fairlawn Management•Champaign, IL

About The Position

Fairlawn is hiring a Corporate Leasing Manager to lead leasing performance across its conventional multifamily and student housing portfolio. This newly created role reports to the Senior Vice President of Property Management and serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for leasing execution. The manager will establish standards, analyze performance, develop best practices, coach onsite teams, address operational challenges, and collaborate with leaders across the company. Although the role does not directly supervise onsite leasing professionals, it leads through expertise, influence, accountability, and collaboration. The successful candidate will help shape Fairlawn’s leasing operations in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. They will use data to improve business decisions, develop people and processes, and uphold the company’s values: Be Kind, Own It, Be Flexible, and Always Improve. The position includes regular travel throughout the portfolio, with occasional overnight travel, and may require longer hours during peak leasing season, turnover, and major operational initiatives. Physical activities include walking properties, conducting onsite observations, participating in leasing activities, and working at a computer for extended periods. Fairlawn is a vertically integrated real estate investment, management, and development firm based in Chicago and Champaign, Illinois. It manages a portfolio of 6,000 units valued at $900 million, including its Smile Student Living brand, which manages 3,400 beds at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The company operates across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky and is expanding into additional Midwest markets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Property Management, Business, Marketing, Hospitality, or a related field.
At least 5 years of successful multifamily leasing, property management, or related sales leadership experience.
Demonstrated success improving leasing performance through coaching, process improvement, and operational leadership.
Experience developing and delivering training programs or coaching sales professionals.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to identify trends and inform business decisions.
Strong sales, relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to influence and coach others without direct supervisory authority.
Experience with AppFolio or similar property management software.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and reporting tools.
Ability to balance strategic initiatives with day-to-day operational support in a fast-paced environment.
Alignment with Fairlawn’s core values: Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It, and Always Improve.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Ability to travel regularly throughout Fairlawn’s portfolio, including occasional overnight travel.
Availability to work longer hours during peak leasing season, turnover, and major operational initiatives.
Ability to perform the physical functions of the position, including walking properties, conducting onsite observations, participating in leasing activities, and working at a computer for extended periods.

Responsibilities

Model Fairlawn’s core values of Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It, and Always Improve.
Establish leasing standards, measure results, coach teams, and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.
Analyze leasing performance, including lead response time, conversion metrics, leasing velocity, occupancy trends, and closing ratios.
Prepare and present regular portfolio leasing reports to senior leadership, with actionable insights and recommendations.
Partner with Property Management leadership to identify performance gaps, determine root causes, and develop action plans for underperforming communities.
Develop, implement, and refine leasing operating standards, sales processes, and prospect experience practices.
Serve as the company’s subject matter expert on leasing strategy, sales execution, prospect management, and leasing best practices.
Partner with the Training Specialist to develop onboarding, ongoing training, and targeted coaching initiatives.
Coach and support Property Managers, Regional Operations Managers, and onsite leasing teams through feedback, performance coaching, and professional development.
Audit leasing execution in AppFolio and other systems to ensure timely follow-up, accurate documentation, consistent processes, and a positive prospect experience.
Own the configuration, utilization, optimization, and ongoing performance of the AI Leasing Assistant and other leasing technologies.
Collaborate with Marketing to improve the transition from lead generation to lead conversion by evaluating lead quality, engagement, funnel performance, and marketing-to-leasing effectiveness.
Partner with Property Management and Asset Management leadership on pricing, concessions, lease expiration management, occupancy planning, and other revenue optimization initiatives.
Evaluate leasing strategy, emerging technologies, industry trends, and competitive practices; recommend and implement improvements.
Provide leasing leadership and operational support for acquisitions, new developments, lease-ups, major renovations, and other strategic initiatives.
Build cross-functional relationships and foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Provide operational support where needed.