Portfolio Area Manager - Goleta, CA

The Towbes Group•Santa Barbara, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

At The Towbes Group, we've spent over 60 years creating communities where people thrive on the Central Coast. We are seeking a versatile, experienced leader to serve as our Portfolio Area Manager. This role is not tied to a single property but acts as a go-to leader across the entire portfolio, stepping into various challenges such as acting as an interim Community Manager, rolling out new company-wide programs, or coaching site teams. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on variety, enjoys problem-solving, and wants to make an impact across multiple communities.

Requirements

Valid CA Real Estate License
5-7 years of on-site property management experience
At least 4 years of experience as a Community Manager or higher
ARM, CAM, or CCRM certification (or active progress toward one)
Deep knowledge of Fair Housing, DRE regulations, and local landlord-tenant ordinances (Goleta, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria, Lompoc)
Familiarity with subsidized housing compliance (LIHTC, HUD/REAC, HOME Program)
Proficiency in Yardi and CRM IQ
A clean DMV record and background check
Flexibility to travel across the portfolio and adapt to shifting priorities, including occasional weekends

Responsibilities

Step in as Acting Community Manager wherever coverage is needed, taking full ownership of performance, leases, budgets, and team leadership.
Drive results across the portfolio by owning NOI, occupancy, and retention targets when covering a property, and helping every site team hit their numbers.
Serve as the compliance expert, navigating Fair Housing, DRE, LIHTC, HUD/REAC, and HOME Program requirements across diverse communities, including specialized affordable housing properties.
Partner with the Training & Development Manager to coordinate training, reinforce standards in the field, and guide new programs and initiatives to successful adoption across the portfolio.
Coach site teams, deliver feedback, and raise the bar on service and operations.
Support property dispositions, portfolio-wide projects, and operational initiatives alongside the Director of Residential Properties and Regional Managers.
Utilize company-approved AI tools to surface efficiencies, draft reports and communications, and make faster, better-informed decisions.
Manage rent payments, vendor relationships, preventive maintenance coordination, and resident escalations wherever needed most.