Senior VP, Property Operations

Equity Residential (EQR) is an S&P 500 real estate company and an industry leading multi-family REIT, headquartered in downtown Chicago. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to name a few –  provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Senior Vice President (SVP), Property Operations is responsible for strategy, direction and execution of key functions including Revenue Management (Pricing), Procurement, Ancillary Income, Business Intelligence / Analytics, Central Business Group, Financial Services, Legal Services, Utilities, New Initiatives and Screening/Collections. Serving as a critical link between the overall business strategy and day-to-day field operations, the SVP will set direction, oversee the implementation of key initiatives, establish operating policies and procedures, evaluate operating results, provide effective communication and technology enablement, and monitor budgets.

As SVP, Property Operations, you will employ a collaborative, strategic and forward thinking approach to lead operating teams across our entire portfolio, ensuring that operations meet or exceed established goals, are leveraging optimization appropriately, and are in compliance with established standards and regulations. You will lead a team across the organization, collectively monitoring performance metrics, implementing strategies to meet operational goals, analyzing and responding to changing market conditions, and identifying areas for improvement.

• A Leader. You build effective teams and provide direction to help those teams achieve goals and operate cooperatively and cohesively.
• A Strong Communicator. You are articulate, effective, and persuasive in your verbal and written communication, helping you connect well with others.
• A Savvy Operator. You understand the business and use good judgment to guide it.
• A Innovative, Strategic Thinker.  You test your limits, and the limits of those around you, and challenge the status quo.
• Organized, Efficient, and Accountable. You have a keen eye for detail and pride yourself on delivering quality work. You multitask well, re-prioritize accordingly, and meet deadlines consistently.  Above all, you are flexible and able to juggle the needs of changing priorities of the business.
• Analytical and Creative. You are comfortable analyzing and deciphering data, and evaluating trends. You’ve got strong quantitative skills and you know how to apply them accordingly. You also like thinking outside the box to come up with smart solutions to new challenges, and embrace the day-to-day operational activities that challenge you to live in the gray.
• A Solution-Oriented Team Player. You enjoy partnering with others —whether internal or external— in order to get work done and deliver great results.  You are united with teammates and follow through on commitments. You keep your cool during stressful situations and quickly find solutions.
• Confident and Decisive. You have a sense of urgency to drive great results, are precise with executing your work, and have successfully demonstrated your ability to effectively influence others. You take initiative, trust your gut, and are not afraid to make decisions or deliver a difficult message.

• Set, recommend, execute, and measure business strategies and related improvements in the Property Operations organization to maximize profitability, efficiency, effectiveness, and customer impact. Develop and implement adjustments to strategic and operating plans, as appropriate.
• Identify areas for strategic improvement and ensure implementation of required changes. Assess and review cost/benefit analyses, including potential impacts on other areas of the company, in order to take appropriate action. Collaborate with other senior management to communicate and coordinate the delivery of business process improvement solutions that are compatible with the goals and objectives of the Company and the Property Operations department. 
• In coordination with SVP Property Management, monitor activities to ensure that the operating plan is being carried out in order to meet or exceed the Company’s objectives.
• Lead and oversee the annual budgeting process for the Property Operations department.
• Support business process improvement solutions, including the continued implementation of new technologies to support Property Operations initiatives. Manage these new resources effectively, including staff, to drive initiatives to completion. Partner with all levels of Equity management and user groups accordingly.
• Assess current and potential market providers to negotiate advantageous and encompassing agreements to financially benefit EQR. Develop and maintain vendor relationships accordingly.
• Identify and develop emerging talent to the benefit of EQR. Maximize department impact through effective organizational structure, team member development and empowerment, and succession plans that support long-term positive results.
• Maintain an active presence in the industry and remain informed of industry trends and new/updated government regulations.
• Represent the Company in a professional manner at all times, including being an effective owner liaison with all building officials and governmental agencies. Consistently maintains a professional courteous attitude when dealing with residents, co-workers and the general public.

• 15+ years progressive experience in property management or property operations
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, MBA a plus
• Hands-on leader with successful record of developing teams and leading strong operating results
• Must have strong technical proficiency and analytical skills required
• An entrepreneurial self-starter who is driven and aggressive about achieving bottom line results
• Proven problem solver who makes logical decisions based on metrics and analytics
• Superior interpersonal skills required, with excellent oral and written communication skills across all levels of the organization a must
• Ability and willingness to travel (up to 30%) to any of Equity’s core markets is required

We recognize everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique options to employees, like adoption benefits and paid time off for community service projects. To learn more, view our Total Wellbeing page here.