Director of Property Management & Strategy

Job description

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Director of Property Management & Strategy Location : On-site at LTSC’s Main Office in Downtown LA and LTSC-managed residential buildings; Hybrid, 1-2 days working from home Compensation: Annual rate $140,000-160,000/year depending on experience Hours : Full-time, Regular, Exempt Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits package includes – Paid sick leave, vacation leave, and monthly mental health days Paid holidays, including employee birthdays and the winter holiday closure week between Christmas and New Year’s Exception for Property Management Staff - Floating Holiday Match: Employees earn 1 hour of Floating PTO for every hour worked during the winter holiday closure. Working the full winter holiday closure results in a comparable number of days of flexible PTO for later use. Full health coverage through designated health plans Employer matching for 403(b) retirement plan Therapy stipend program Supervisor: Managing Director of Finance (CFO) Background: For 45 years, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) has provided a safety net of social welfare and community development services to empower people and communities in need. LTSC provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the Japanese American community in the Southland, builds multi-family affordable housing projects to uplift low-income neighborhoods of color throughout Los Angeles, and promotes equitable development and cultural preservation in the Little Tokyo neighborhood. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability. Summary of Duties : The Director of Property Management & Strategy is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the physical and financial performance of LTSC’s property portfolio while ensuring resident safety and satisfaction. This leader will drive strategic planning, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across all managed assets. Key aspects of this role include providing direct supervision and performance management to the Property Management Team, ensuring rigorous compliance with affordable housing programs, maintaining the physical integrity of buildings, and collaborating effectively with vendors, government agencies, and community stakeholders. As a member of LTSC’s senior leadership team, the Director will actively contribute to organizational strategic planning and goal-setting initiatives. Responsibilities Include: Strategic Planning & Operations Leadership Develop and implement the annual operating strategy for the Property Management department, aligning staffing levels with performance benchmarks. Establish and refine detailed policies and procedures to guide departmental operations. Design and deploy tools for monitoring property performance, risk management, financial reporting, and budget preparation. Lead the evaluation and adoption of new software, systems, and emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency, automate workflows, and strengthen management capabilities. Prepare the departmental budget and invest in staff training and certification programs. Assess the cost-effectiveness of external consultants; when engaged, oversee their deliverables, timelines, and professionalism. Provide regular reports and updates to LTSC’s executive leadership and the Board of Directors. Portfolio Financial & Physical Stewardship Manage revenue collection strategies, including monitoring delinquent rents and resolving issues related to potential loss or abatement of operating subsidies. Execute rent increases annually (as permitted by regulations) to maintain portfolio growth. Monitor property expenses and identify opportunities for cost savings, such as consolidating vendor services for better pricing. Oversee Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) to preserve the physical health of each property, ensuring strict compliance with operating and replacement reserve requirements. Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated emergencies, exercising sound judgment to ensure timely resolution and clear communication with stakeholders. Track vacancy status and implement strategies to minimize downtime and fill units efficiently. Assist with insurance matters, including managing claims resolution and portfolio-wide policy renewals. Collaborate with the Accounting team on annual budgets, monthly financial reconciliations, audits, and tax filings. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all property operations comply with loan/bond documents, use restrictions, investor agreements, and federal, state, and local regulations. Guarantee that all reports submitted to lenders and investors are accurate and timely. Mandate and track completion of required compliance trainings for all department staff. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Legal Oversight Consult with legal counsel regarding evictions, liability issues (e.g., slip-and-fall incidents), and other legal matters. Partner with Asset Management on welfare tax exemptions and asset-level reporting. Coordinate with Real Estate Development and Services departments on funding applications and seamless property hand-offs from development to operations. Team Leadership & Organizational Culture Provide hands-on supervision, fostering high morale, motivation, and continuous professional development for the Property Management Team. Manage staff performance through clear expectation setting, regular feedback loops, coaching, and timely intervention for performance concerns. Facilitate departmental meetings and support broader organizational activities. Embody LTSC’s guiding practices, creating opportunities for departmental and organizational progress. Participate in and use work hours for organization-wide and community events, including weekends when necessary. Support initiatives that advance LTSC’s mission to create positive change for people and places. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Qualifications, Experience, and Skills: Education & Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field is highly preferred. 7+ years of relevant experience in multifamily residential property management, including budget preparation, variance analysis, capital improvement planning, and investor/lender reporting. Minimum 3 years of recent experience leading a team responsible for managing at least eleven (11) properties financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Demonstrated experience hiring, training, and managing the performance of a team of property management professionals. Technical Knowledge & Certifications Completed relevant training, including CTCAC’s Owner and Management Training Course, LIHTC compliance, and Fair Housing, or to be completed within the first 6 months of employment. Extensive knowledge of affordable housing programs and agencies, including TCAC, CDLAC, HUD, LAHD, HACLA, LACDA, and HCD. Proficiency in property audits, tax returns, and investor/lender reporting standards. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of Sage accounting software is preferred. Skills & Competencies Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to draft reports, business correspondence, and procedural documents. Ability to present information effectively and respond to inquiries from supervisors, employees, vendors, and board members. Strategic thinking with a focus on operational efficiency and risk mitigation. Physical & Logistical Requirements Must be able to travel locally to multiple program and partner sites using an approved mode of transportation. Ability to drive when required for job duties, including transporting supplies and traveling between sites where public transportation or rideshare is not a reasonable alternative. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Note: Equivalent education or experience may be substituted for minimum qualifications, except where legal requirements (such as licenses or certifications) apply. Essential Functions Statement This position requires regular local travel to fulfill essential job duties. In some circumstances, driving is necessary due to time sensitivity, cost efficiency, or the lack of comparable public transportation options. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, in accordance with applicable law.