Company Background
Ownwell helps property owners reduce the costs of owning real estate. Our proprietary software automatically identifies property owners who are overpaying on real estate expenses. We then manage the end-to-end process of reducing bills through tax appeals, exemptions, and corrections.
Over $40 billion is overpaid in property taxes every year, and inaccurate tax assessments disproportionately affect people of color, immigrants, as well as low-income communities.
We’re dedicated to making the costs of property ownership more transparent and equitable. We believe that regardless of status or level of real estate expertise, everyone should have access to the information, tools, and resources to manage their real estate with confidence.
Ownwell is well-funded and venture-backed by some of the best investors in the world. Our customer base has grown by more than 1000% year-over-year with exceptional feedback demonstrating clear product market fit. We are looking for driven and passionate team members who thrive in a collaborative, positive culture where we all win together. If this sounds like the place for you, come help us change the way everyday homeowners manage their real estate across the country.
Our Culture
People are our superpower! Centered in everything we do is a true sense of team. We listen and we learn from each other. We are on this rocketship together and embrace a fast-paced, truly collaborative environment. We are here to win as a team and as a company.
We’ve brought together General Appraisers, Certified Public Accountants, Property Tax Consultants, Data scientists, PhDs, best-in-class customer support representatives, and more to deliver top results for our customers.
Our core values are our guiding principles in everything we do
The Role and Overview of Responsibilities:
The Commercial property tax consultant will be tasked with overseeing property tax appeals on a portfolio of commercial properties throughout the administrative appeal process from informal discussions to formal ARB Hearings. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of individual success in Commercial property tax appeals and cross functional collaboration. Additional desired capabilities include analytical and problem-solving skills, strong people skills, a strong bias for action, and a natural inclination to continually showcase grit, passion, and resilience to do whatever it takes to achieve the best results for our clients.
Responsibilities
Property Tax Consulting
- In-depth evaluation of CRE properties across many geographies for appeal with an eye for innovation and automation opportunities
- Support operations in the onboarding of new clients and filing of appeals as needed
- Informal, Formal, Arbitration, Litigation - whatever it takes to get the best results for our clients
- Training and enforcing procedures with the team to get best-in-class results for our clients
- Acts as jurisdictional subject matter expert in managing all aspects of commercial property taxes and the appeal process.
- Communicates new issues, legislative changes, and training opportunities internally and to clients as needed.
Business Personal Property
- Prepare and file annual business personal property renditions across jurisdictions, tracking varying deadlines, extension rules, and penalty structures
- Review and analyze client fixed-asset schedules and depreciation to ensure assets are correctly classified, valued, and reported Identify and remove ghost/phantom assets and apply appropriate depreciation and obsolescence to minimize taxable value
- Surface and pursue applicable BPP exemptions and special treatments (e.g., Freeport, goods-in-transit, pollution control, interstate commerce) Challenge inflated BPP assessments through informal reviews and formal ARB hearings
- Serve as Ownwell's subject matter expert on BPP rules, rendition requirements, and legislative changes across jurisdictions
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with sales and marketing to pitch, demonstrate, and close potential clients. This includes help with analysis, estimates, resources, and speaking with potential clients.
- Work with operations to manage clients properties in our system, ensure timely evaluation and support appeal filing.
- Work with engineering to improve all aspects of our software and automation in the appeal pipeline.
- Ability to think outside the box and not do everything the traditional way. Continuous improvement and rethinking what is possible.
- Work with client success to support our clients, answer questions, and obsess over our customers driving best in class service with best in class results.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in commercial property tax, with an emphasis on BPP, with a proven track record of achieving industry-best results for clients
- A strong working knowledge of property tax laws and regulations around BPP, with an ability to ensure appropriate application to minimize tax liabilities for clients.
- A deep understanding of the real estate valuation methodologies and how they vary by property type and how tax code varies by jurisdiction, to achieve the best results.
- Strong business acumen with an ability to identify potential roadblocks, and formulate and implement effective solutions to reach desired business outcomes.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, work on multiple assignments, and manage ambiguity with confidence.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with high-value Commercial Tax Appeals or experience at a Commercial Tax Firm.
- Experience with filing business personal property renditions and handling property tax protests
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, finance, economics, accounting, or real estate.
- Appraisal experience with professional designations like MAI, CCIM, and CMI is strongly preferred but not required.
Individual competencies
- Ownwell core values reflect your ethos.
- You care about Ownwell’s mission and making an impact for all types of property owners.
- You are passionate about what you do and bring a thoughtful perspective to the function of Property Tax as well as overall organization.
- Your previous managers had to slow you down, not speed you up.
- You have a strong execution orientation.
- Working with thoughtful velocity is a part of your leadership principles
- Like us, you love reducing property taxes for clients
Ownwell offerings
- Entrepreneurial culture. Own your career; we are here to support you in the journey.
- Access to First Round Network to build your community outside of Ownwell.
- Flexible PTO. We believe in giving you the flexibility to own your time off. In addition to flexible time off, you will get 11 company holidays. We offer the last week of the year to recharge and reset.
- Competitive health benefits. We care for you and your family's health, as reflected in our benefits coverage.
- Learning support through a $1,000 stipend per year to enable investing in your individual learning needs.
- Supporting parental journey. We offer up to 16 weeks of fully paid parental and bonding leave to support your journey as a new parent.
- As applicable complimentary real estate and tax consulting licensing and renewal
Ownwell's vision is to democratize access to real estate expertise. When we say we want to provide access, we mean providing access to everyone. To do that well, we need a team that's broadly representative. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. Ownwell is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status.
