Director of Property Management / District Manager Department : Property Management Reports To : Executive Leadership at Universal Development Location : Multiple Sites within Assigned Portfolio (12 apartment properties) Portfolio : Conventional Mixed-Income Housing Ownership : Private Ownership/Self Managed POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Property Management provides leadership and strategic oversight for a portfolio of 12 stabilized mixed-income luxury apartment communities and 2 self-storage facilities. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, resident satisfaction, compliance, and financial performance across the portfolio. The Director directly supervises all individual Property Managers, providing coaching, accountability, and leadership development to site teams. The Director serves as the key liaison between executive leadership / ownership and site operations, delivering transparent performance reporting and strategic recommendations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Staff Development Recruit, hire, mentor, and develop Property Managers and key site staff (leasing, maintenance, special projects technicians) Conduct regular site visits and maintain frequent communication with Property Managers Lead by example, promoting a culture of professionalism, accountability, and resident service excellence Conduct annual performance reviews for Property Managers and review staff evaluations for leasing and maintenance teams Provide leadership coaching and performance management for site teams Promote retention of high-performing team members and succession planning within the portfolio Portfolio Operational Oversight Conduct quarterly property audits and create actionable improvement plans Perform seasonal property inspections and lead action planning for property condition improvement Monitor and support site-level execution of corporate goals and standards Standardize operational processes and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio Handle escalated or repetitive resident concerns and complaints professionally and effectively Ensure consistent, high-quality resident experience across all properties Monitor compliance with company policies and procedures at all sites Financial Management & Reporting Lead annual budget planning process for each property; conduct budget training and review sessions Manage and monitor NOI performance against budget targets Review and approve accounts payable invoices over $300; oversee invoice coding accuracy with A/P Analyze monthly financial statements and P&L variance reports; address concerns and take corrective action Prepare and process quarterly bonus calculations for Property Managers and maintenance staff Monitor and oversee portfolio-wide rent collections, delinquency management, and rent growth strategies Present portfolio performance reports to executive leadership / ownership on scheduled cadence Provide ownership with timely, accurate, actionable reporting on key financial and operational metrics Legal & Compliance Oversight Stay current on applicable HUD, state, and local landlord-tenant Oversee eviction processes and attend legal proceedings as needed Review and follow up on employee and property incident reports, including documentation, resident interaction, and insurance coordination Lead periodic staff training on compliance requirements and risk management practices Maintenance & Project Management Oversee maintenance standards and preventative maintenance programs at all properties Collaborate with in-house construction division on project planning and execution Source and evaluate suppliers for best products and materials Source and evaluate vendor bids for capital improvements, grounds maintenance, snow removal, and major projects Monitor vendor performance and address performance issues with vendors and site teams Ensure properties are maintained in excellent physical condition while adhering to budget Marketing, Leasing & Competitive Analysis Oversee leasing performance and marketing strategy across the portfolio Assess property marketing needs based on occupancy trends and prospect feedback Conduct periodic market surveys with Property Managers to analyze competition and market positioning Recommend changes to pricing, amenities, and marketing strategies to optimize occupancy and revenue Support lease-up efforts for newly renovated or repositioned properties Guide and review resident retention strategies and reputation management (online reviews, resident satisfaction surveys) Ownership Communication & Strategic Input Serve as the primary operational liaison between ownership and property management teams Present strategic recommendations and risk assessments to ownership Identify opportunities for asset value growth and long-term asset planning Communicate risks, opportunities, and emerging trends clearly and candidly with ownership Complete any additional tasks or special projects assigned by executive leadership Required Experience 10+ years of progressive property management experience, including multi-site leadership Strong leadership skills and experience directly supervising Property Managers Expertise in property operations, financial management, and compliance oversight Strong understanding of property maintenance standards and vendor management Knowledge of Fair Housing, landlord/tenant law, and risk management best practices Experience working directly with private ownership / entrepreneurial ownership groups (preferred) Competencies Leadership presence and team development ability Results-oriented and financially driven Disciplined compliance mindset Excellent communication with respect and reporting skills Professionalism and strong resident service orientation High integrity, hard working and accountable About Universal Development Management Universal Development is a family-owned, multi-generational property management and construction company with our headquarters located in Girard Ohio. We provide high-quality single-level mutli-family housing targeted towards empty nesters, retirees and professional renters within a 3 hour radius of Youngstown Ohio. We are involved in the entire lifecyle of the communites we manage; from the land acquisition, construction planning and building to long-term management of the communities. Over the last 50 years we have exoperienced steady growth with 2,000 homes today and plan to continue that momentum well into the future.