Our client is a boutique New York-based student accommodation investment and management company.
They acquire under-managed assets and invests in improving both the physical and social management of the buildings to create higher quality, better managed living environments where students can thrive.
With 8 assets in the portfolio, located in the Phoenix, Michigan, Baton Rouge, Athens, and Atlanta, and Gainesville Fl markets, they're poised for growth, anticipating the acquisition of 3 to 5 new assets annually over the next several years.
The anticipated growth requires them to bring on a senior operating executive to oversee the 3rd party management company and ensure the highest quality operations in the industry.
Key Responsibilities
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides the seamless integration and coordination of efforts, initiatives, and services across departments, the properties, and the 3rd party management team, through strong leadership, communication, and collaboration.
The COO will position them to capitalize on revenue generation and growth strategies by ensuring effective end-to-end operations and scalability of fiscal management, marketing and leasing efforts, occupancy targets, and both customer and employee experience.
The COO will curate and maintain a leadership structure and culture that creates an environment conducive to recruiting, training, motivating, and retaining the highest quality talent at every level of the business to sustain, scale, and support the organization.
In addition, the Chief Operating Officer will have the following key areas of responsibility:
Ensure the overall consistent execution, management, and superior performance of the Company's revenue maximization through strong property operations and facilities management, financial performance of the portfolio, effective marketing and leasing, pricing strategies, and quality of customer experience.
Partner and collaborate with all areas of organizational leadership in the development and implementation of strategic business practices and initiatives that drive the Company's growth and profitability based on strategic key performance indicators (KPIs).
Effectively and decisively communicate with all areas of the business and third-party management to ensure regular flow of critical information across the organization to maximize Company potential and foster proactive problem-solving strategies that mitigate identified threats to desired organizational goals.
Guide and develop team leaders that effectively manage the workflow and prioritization of initiatives and projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget, on-brand execution, and completion.
Lead and develop team leaders that place a high priority on the professional development of their team members, encouraging collaborative contribution, ownership in quality work product, and empowerment in effective and decisive decision making where appropriate for their role.
Maintain strong working knowledge at all times of Company positioning in areas of portfolio financial budgeting and performance, leasing and/or occupancy, market conditions and/or trends, revenue targets, marketing trends and costs, long-term asset preservation and preventative maintenance.
Analyze areas of direct oversight and collaborate closely with the 3rd party management team for opportunities to increase efficiency and management financial performance without compromising business practices and initiatives, the quality of asset, the customer experience, and/or the employee experience.
Anticipate, identify, and communicate emerging problems, risks, and/or troubling trends that could have a negative impact on the business, and quickly identify and communicate course corrections in strategies and/or initiatives to help ensure continued success for the organization and achievement of Company goals.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistent and comprehensive delivery of Company goals and expectations.
Carry out supervisor responsibilities, including appraising performance and providing timely regular feedback, and/or accountability measures, rewarding employees, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
Partner with the Senior Leadership Team to formulate and execute the Company's operations and customer service strategy to drive profitable growth.
Serve as an excellent leader and role model committed to representing the mission and values of the organization
Drive operational implementation, performance, and qualified feedback related to the Company's upgraded systems, processes and technology roadmap that allow the organization to operate in a consistent, scalable, and sustainable manner.
Direct and ensure comprehensive development and acute analysis of strategies that foster strong property operations and leasing efforts, tactical property improvements, and property re-positioning objectives as needed.
Ensure the efficient execution and scalability of Turn processes that meet or exceed key cost, quality, and resident experience measures.
Prioritize awareness and responsiveness to workplace dynamics and expectations with the goal of engaging, retaining, and attracting high-caliber talent.
Work in conjunction with executive leadership to ensure owner communications and messaging are strategic, consistent, and clear, including playing a key role in the preparation and presentation of the periodic investor materials and presentation.
Serve as a leader within the industry, fostering strong relationships with industry peers and establishing connections with key industry conferences and organizations, including participating in speaker panels and other industry leadership positions.
Review and approve annual budgets for each area of direct oversight and collaborate closely with Senior Management during the budget process.
Ensure the onboarding/offboarding of properties across the portfolio to enable efficient and cost-effective acquisition/disposition processes.
Recommend changes to established Company policies and/or procedures, as necessary.
Education
Bachelor's degree and/or 10+ years of combined experience in leadership roles in student/conventional housing and real estate operations, hospitality management and operations, or similar industry.
Compensation
The successful candidate will be offered an attractive compensation package which will include a competitive base salary, an annual performance bonus, and potential to participate in the company's equity program.