Traveling Lease Up Specialist

Traveling Lease Up Specialist

Columbus, OH

WHO WE ARE:

Woda Cooper Companies, Inc . is a rapidly growing development, construction, and property management organization dedicated to the creation of quality affordable housing to benefit those who need it most. We are an employee-owned, passion-driven group that changes each community of which we are a part. We manage over 16,000 housing units in 19 states, proudly serving seniors, veterans, and other economically challenged groups. We seek ambitious, talented individuals who want to grow with a rapidly expanding company whose success is not only measured in dollars and cents, but in lives changed. With a development portfolio of $1.5 billion, Woda Cooper consistently ranks among the top affordable housing developers and owners in the country by Affordable Housing Finance.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK:

Based in Columbus, Ohio, the Traveling Lease-Up Specialist will travel to affordable housing communities and construction sites across Woda Cooper's portfolio to oversee and support new property lease-ups. Reporting to the Senior Regional Manager, you'll work closely with Regional Managers, Community Managers, and on-site leasing teams to develop leasing strategies, monitor occupancy, coordinate marketing efforts, and help achieve 100% occupancy within established timelines. This hands-on role includes frequent travel, with availability to work evenings and weekends as needed, while providing remote and on-site operational support to ensure successful lease-ups and compliance with applicable housing program requirements, Fair Housing laws, and company policies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Assist the Senior Regional Manager, Regional Manager, and Community Manager in leasing up a property in a timely efficient manner.

- Travel as needed (up to 5 days a week) to communities/construction sites.

- Availability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

- Promote and foster a teamwork environment.

- Establish timelines and strategies for pre-leasing and lease up of new communities to attain 100% occupancy within an assigned time limit.

- Meet with on-site office/leasing staff to set goals and participate in marketing meetings, draw calls, and other related lease-up communications.

- Participate in construction walks throughout lease up as needed and effectively communicate with related departments to ensure a successful lease up process.

- Complete weekly marketing, leasing, and traffic reports as well as participate in weekly lease-up strategy calls.

- Maintain a constant awareness of area market conditions.

- Seek out new residents by developing and maintaining a presence in the community through outreach to chambers of commerce, religious organizations, senior centers, employers, relocation companies, and relators, etc.

- Interact positively at all times with residents and the public to enhance the community image and ensure superior resident retention.

- Take telephone inquiries from prospective residents, obtain information about prospective tenant needs; describe apartment and community benefits, set appointments.

- Lease apartments to qualified applicants in accordance with affiliated housing program guidelines along with company procedures and Equal Housing Opportunity requirements.

- Obtain credit and other information as needed for processing and approval.

- Notify prospective residents of approvals and schedule move0ins and stay connected with the prospect throughout the application process.

- Responsible for the completion of all necessary forms on new residents and recertification forms for existing residents.

- Ensure that each apartment is ready for occupancy, distribute keys & resident handbooks, and other appropriate paperwork at the time of lease signing.

- Maintain and use a property waiting list for prospective residents.

- Conduct file audits and assist with preparation for state inspections, as needed.

- Maintain current knowledge of building amenities, local agencies/community resources, and area of interest to residents.

- Receive, post, and provide receipts for all application fees, security deposits and initial rents.

- Be knowledgeable and aware of, and adhere to all local, state, and federal laws applicable to the lasing of apartments.

- Understand the applicable income requirements for residents and Fair Housing Laws.

- Participate in company-sponsored continuing education and training programs.

- Maintain professional relationships with ownership, lenders, state agencies, and internal department heads, to identify their expectations and to effectively communicate property performance and critical issues.

- Execute all functions of this position within legal guidelines, corporate standards, and professional ethics.

- All other duties as assigned by the Regional Vice President.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from different parties, including residents, staff associates, owners, lenders, and the general public.

- The ability to read, analyze and interpret government regulations as it pertains to industry and financial reports.

- Ability to write reports to Ownership, variance reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals.

- Proficient in Yardi, Rent Cafe, Microsoft Suite, and Outlook.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

- Excellent organizational skills and diligence.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

- Bachelor's degree in business, real estate, or another related field, or equivalent professional training experience preferred.

- 5-7 years of Multi-Family or Senior Housing experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

- A valid driver's license is required and maintained with an acceptable driving record.

- The ability to frequently stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

- The ability to occasionally lift up to thirty pounds.

BENEFITS:

We offer competitive wages and annual bonus opportunities. Benefits include:

- Medical, Dental and Vision

- Short Term Disability and Life Insurance

- 401k with Company Match

- 100% Employee-Owned Company with the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

- 12 Days Paid Time Off

- 8 Paid Holidays & 2 Floating Holidays!

- Fitness Reimbursement

Employment is contingent on education verification, references, background check, and drug screening.

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