LEASE UP COMMUNITY MANAGER

Bear Property Management•Milwaukee, WI

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Bear Real Estate Group is looking to hire a Lease-Up Community Manager responsible for leading the lease-up of our new affordable housing community, The Corliss, from initial occupancy through stabilization. This role drives leasing velocity to meet absorption targets while ensuring full compliance with LIHTC, HOME, and other applicable housing program requirements during the critical first-year credit-establishing period. The position pairs aggressive marketing and leasing execution with regulatory precision, establishing site operations, building the on-site team, and delivering on the owner’s pro forma and tax credit timelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience.
Must have 3+ years of multi-housing experience, including new construction or lease-up experience.
Strong Fair Housing knowledge required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Financial literacy, including budget management and reporting.
Proven ability to train, mentor, and influence without direct authority.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in RealPage/OneSite or comparable property management software.
Proficiency in in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.)
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Affordable/LIHTC experience preferred.
Prefer TCS, HCCP, C3P, or other designations.
CAMs designation a plus.

Responsibilities

Establish and run daily site operations for a new community, building processes, resident services, and customer service standards from initial occupancy.
Enforce lease terms and community policies consistently and professionally.
Create strong first impressions and positive resident interactions that build the community’s reputation, reviews, and word-of-mouth during early lease-up.
Foster a positive resident experience through clear communication, responsive service, and well-maintained communities.
Address resident concerns professionally and in compliance with program rules.
Plan and host grand opening, model unit tours, and resident engagement events that generate traffic and build community.
Ensure the community operates in full compliance with Fair Housing laws.
Drive leasing and occupancy from certificate of occupancy through stabilized occupancy within the established lease-up timeline.
Maintain complete and accurate household files in “audit-ready” condition at all times (initial certifications, move-in, recertifications, transfers, move-outs) with supporting documentation in compliance with all regulatory agreements.
Ensure every household is income-qualified and certified prior to move-in, with no unqualified or out-of-compliance move-ins during the credit-establishing first year.
Ensure all files are approved by Compliance prior to move in, and all documents are appropriately executed prior to issuing keys.
Build and manage the pre-leasing interest list, applicant screening, and move-ins per the Tenant Selection Plan and Resident Selection Criteria.
Ensure rent limits, income limits, and utility allowances are updated and implemented correctly each year.
Coordinate with Compliance staff and third-party monitors for audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
Partner with Compliance and ownership to meet first-year tax credit milestones, including the minimum set-aside, applicable fraction, and credit delivery deadlines tied to each building’s placed-in-service date.
Drive leasing velocity to meet weekly and monthly lease-up absorption targets through proactive outreach, traffic generation, lead conversion, and follow-up.
Track and report traffic, lead sources, tour-to-lease conversion, and net leases against goal, adjusting tactics to keep pace with the absorption schedule.
Maintain accurate online listings and property information per Bear Core Processes.
Partner with Marketing and the Lease-Up Regional Manager to execute the lease-up marketing plan, manage advertising sources, and post appropriately to Social Media.
Ensure the model unit, signage, and all online and print marketing are accurate, compelling, and current to maximize tour-to-lease conversion.
Manage the lease-up budget, monitor leasing pace against the owner’s pro forma, and track income/expense and concession use throughout lease-up.
Review and approve invoices, purchase orders, and vendor proposals in accordance with company controls.
Monitor rent collections, enforce lease terms, manage delinquencies, and initiate legal proceedings when required.
Support month-end closing accuracy including ledger reconciliation, deposit verification, and reporting deadlines.
Prepare weekly leasing and traffic reports and monthly financial reports, including lease-up pace against goal.
Follow delinquency process consistently.
Ensure all non-payment notices are delivered accurately and on time monthly.
Ensure small balance due notices are sent out monthly and followed up weekly.
Responsible for reporting on delinquency weekly.
Responsible for filing non-payment and non-compliance notices promptly and managing the legal process through correction or eviction.
Coordinate daily with maintenance and the construction/development team on unit delivery, punch lists, turns, inspections, curb appeal, and safety.
Ensure property is tour-ready and meets company standards.
Ensure newly delivered and turned units are inspected, made rent-ready, and released for leasing without delay as the building is handed over in phases.
Ensure resident work orders are logged and completed within 48-72 hours, follow up with resident for quality control.
Responsible for walking the site Facilities and Vendors frequently to ensure site is maintained and appealing.
Collaborate with facilities to obtain bids/quotes per Bear Core Processes, confirm scope completion, and approve or submit vendor invoices for payment.
Ensure all incidents, injuries, property damage, and emergencies are documented and reported promptly.
Enforce company safety procedures and maintain site emergency plans.
Participate in after-hours or weekend emergency response as required.
Hire, onboard, and coach a new on-site team, conducting training and performance reviews as the community staffs up.
Model professional communication, accountability, and teamwork.
Partner with the Lease-Up Regional Property Manager and HR for hiring, discipline, and development opportunities.
Ensure all team members complete required affordable housing, Fair Housing, and compliance training annually.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional conduct and internal controls.