Manager, Sales Initiatives

We are currently seeking a curious, creative, and analytical sales leader to join our Sales and Marketing team as a Manager, Sales Initiatives. Under the direction of the Vice President, National Sales, you will help to create a sales organization that gives Equity Residential a competitive advantage, resulting in superior revenue growth versus the competition in every market we operate in. You will assist in managing the National Sales Program and be a key influencer in how our Sales (Leasing Office) positions function by identifying, recommending, communicating, and helping to implement initiatives that improve the efficiency, performance and profitability of our sales teams. 

As the Manager, Sales Initiatives, you will leverage your strengths in relationship building on a daily basis, partnering with colleagues across all levels and departments of the organization, including (but not limited to) Property Management, Property Operations, Information Technology, and Organization and Talent Development (OTD) — all with the shared goal to execute and deliver on Equity’s sales initiatives.

• Organized, Flexible, and Adaptable. You have a keen eye for detail and pride yourself on delivering quality work. You multitask well, re-prioritize accordingly, and meet deadlines consistently. You keep your cool during stressful situations, remain resilient, and quickly find solutions in order to meet the changing needs and priorities of the business.
• A Collaborator and Trusted Team Player. You enjoy partnering with others —whether internal or external— and build constructive working relationships that foster cooperation in order to get work done and deliver great results. You are united with teammates and follow through on commitments. Through your past experience, you’ve also built skills that help you effectively persuade and gain the support of others.
• A People Person. Building professional and high quality relationships with vendors and area businesses comes naturally to you. 
• Creative. You like thinking outside the box to come up with smart solutions to new challenges, and you embrace the opportunity to live in the gray.
• A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you connect well with others.
• Comfortable Around Higher Management. You can present information clearly and concisely while building trust and rapport with executives. You understand executive language and thinking.
• Motivated. You invest extra energy to reach your goals.
• Energetic and Positive. You are an outgoing, gregarious brand ambassador who motivates and excites others to elevate their performance.

National Sales Program Management (70%)

• Serve as project manager on a variety of projects from inception to completion by determining project scope, stakeholders, establishing priorities, schedules, performance metrics, progress reporting and project results.
• Manage and monitor the National Sales Report to proactively identify trends and opportunities in Key Performance Indicators. 
• Manage the bi-weekly Sales Huddle calendar, messages and postings.
• Manage the Sales Recognition program and communications. Recommend changes and improvements as necessary, including sales related contests.
• Manage sales technology programs and pilots (A.I, Realync, iPads, etc).
• Collaborate with National Sales and OTD to identify training needs and develop key concepts/materials for training sales employees.
• Manage ERNIE (intranet) sales-related content updates and sales related MRI release note accuracy.
• Review Sales and Leasing Office processes and identify opportunities for improvement through automation or centralized business process improvements.
• Manage the Ellis Mystery Shop program and quarterly reporting to field leadership.
• Manage National Sales Skills Assessments for eLead response, Phone Skills and Closing skills best practices.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the Sales Deep Dive process and Sales Curriculum.

• Learn and understand any challenges our Sales teams face, in order to identify possible solutions that make delivering remarkable sales and customer service to our customers, easy and efficient.
• Identify and assist with the implementation of technology solutions with the goal of improving operational performance that enables us to deliver remarkable sales and service to our prospects and residents.
• Collaborates and consults with subject matter experts throughout Equity to identify Sales opportunities and makes recommendations that can be implemented and drive tangible results.
• Designs thoughtful launch plans which may include initiating pilot focus groups to test assumptions, solutions and gather feedback.
• Act as point of contact for all aspects of Sales project rollouts, including partnering with internal teams to develop training materials and communications around change management.
• Develop detailed and high-impact reporting to gather program feedback and measure success.
• Provide consistent communications surrounding all facets of Sales across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to enhance functionality of the MRI operating platform by understanding business needs and partnering with internal teams to define requirements and develop relevant solutions. Demonstrates a working knowledge of how the sales teams leverage MRI to manage both new customers and residents.
• Leverage and analyze data to proactively identify areas of opportunity in the sales process.
• Communicates with senior management to ensure projects align with strategy and department goals.

• 3+ years of related marketing experience or property management industry experience required, preferably at the Community Manager level or above
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in marketing, communications, business or related field (equivalent industry experience as described above may be substituted for a degree)
• Problem solving experience with contemporary solutions for sales initiatives that impact the customer experience, the property, and the marketplace
• Ability to influence at all levels and effectively and objectively communicate and work with internal and external customers 
• Must be articulate and organized, with good writing skills, and have experience communicating and presenting ideas and  concepts to all levels
• Must be detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment with changing deadlines

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.