Area Facilities Manager

Working for Equity Residential means being part of a community – employees and residents – striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we live and work. That’s what our Be.Think.Play.Live. culture is all about.

Our Area Facilities Managers are strong, dynamic team leaders with a passion for employee engagement and a strong focus on coaching performance that drives resident satisfaction and financial results. As an Area Facilities Manager, you will assist the regional leadership and property team members in implementing and executing various procedures, programs, and initiatives related to the overall facilities operations of properties, provide direction to property teams, and will be accountable for your portfolio’s overall business results — which include an emphasis on customer service, employee performance, and the implementation of corporate initiatives. 

As an Area Facilities Manager, your days will be full, fast-paced, and challenging. Under the direction of the Vice President or Director of Facilities Services, you will be responsible for all maintenance-related matters for properties within the assigned portfolio.  You will monitor a wide array of performance metrics, implement strategies to meet operational goals and maintain compliance and safety, analyze and respond to changing industry standards, and identify areas for improvement. You will lead maintenance initiatives throughout your portfolio, exemplifying Equity Residential’s brand each and every day by thinking like an owner and ensuring that your team members have the resources they need to be successful and to deliver on our resident commitments.

At Equity, being a leader is much more than sitting in an office directing others from behind a computer screen; we believe in leading by example and walking in the shoes of the people you manage. To be a successful Area Facilities Manager, you will spend more time in the field than in the corporate office — walking your properties with Service Managers and Community Managers and supplementing your already robust knowledge of your communities, competitors, and market conditions with direct feedback and input of all on-site team members. You will also leverage your strengths in relationship building on a daily basis, partnering with colleagues across all levels and departments of the organization (Property Management, Investments, HR, Capital/Renovation, etc.) with the shared goal of maximizing the potential of property employees and asset performance in your region.

• A Leader. You build effective teams and provide direction to help those teams achieve goals and operate cooperatively and cohesively.
• A Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear and effective, helping you connected well with others.
• Organized and Accountable. You have exceptional management abilities and are able to juggle the needs of changing priorities at your communities while accomplishing objectives through motivating a high-performing team.
• Creative. You are an idea person and like coming up with smart solutions and new challenges.
• Levelheaded. You keep your cool during stressful situations and quickly find solutions.
• Flexible and Adaptable. You understand that the world does not exist through black and white lenses and embrace opportunity to live in the gray.
• Confident and Decisive. You take initiative, trust your gut, and are not afraid to make decisions or deliver a difficult message.
• Motivated. You invest extra energy to reach your goals and help your teams reach theirs.
• A Solution-Oriented Team Player. You are united with teammates and follow through on commitments. 
• Energetic and Positive. You are an outgoing, gregarious brand ambassador who motivates and excites others to elevate their performance.
• A Maintenance Pro. You are the resident expert on all things technical and are able to teach new skills to your team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Assist Property Management in the hiring, development, performance management, and evaluation of Service Managers.
• Ensure quality control and conformance with defined standards through monthly report analysis, site visits, facilitating maintenance meetings, implementation and tracking of maintenance programs, and communication with the all appropriate parties.
• Oversee completion and compliance with the Equity Residential ADA and FHA program.  Update report quarterly and as requested.
• Review all environmental systems on properties and assist Director of Environmental Compliance in completion of programs established on an as needed basis.  Monitor compliance with Operations and Maintenance (O&M) programs on an ongoing basis.
• Support Service Managers/Directors and Community/General Managers in a variety of facility management activities.
• Develop strategies to optimize maintenance operations with the AVP Facilities Strategy.
• Provide hands-on assistance to community maintenance staff with various mechanical difficulties or large projects.
• Partner with the Procurement group and the Facilities Service Team on regional standardization and compliance with national purchasing initiatives and national/regional objectives.
• Conduct training for all newly hired and promoted Service Managers/Directors.
• Collaborate with Property Management, Capital, and Investments teams in preparing annual operating and ten-year capital budgets in accordance with established budget guidelines.
• Maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of new maintenance techniques and programs.
• Represent the company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintain a professional, courteous attitude when dealing with residents, subordinates, coworkers, and the general public.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred
• 5+ years physical asset management experience as Service Manager (or higher)
• Multi-site management experience strongly desired
• Extensive knowledge of HVAC systems, as well as boilers
• Strong organizational skills and computer knowledge including Google Applications, Excel, MRI, and OPS
• Ability to conduct project cost forecasting and to write progress reports including project histories, problems, recommended solutions, and justifications for recommendations
• Effective communication with community associates, Regional Managers, Vice Presidents and other departments essential, including an ability to present problems in a clear and concise manner with practical solutions as needed
• Proven ability to conduct due diligence in order to make challenging decisions with confidence
• Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize multiple deadlines and projects
• Valid driver's license and good driving record along with auto insurance required

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Trade school and/or military training or industry designation (CAMT or CAMT II)
• EPA Certification (Type I & II or Universal)
• Effective use of MRI reporting to accurately capture data and evaluate community performance

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.