Area Manager

Job Description

Join Our Team at Cresten Properties in Sioux Falls, SD!

The Area Manager is responsible for the full operational, financial, and leasing performance of a portfolio of approximately four multifamily communities in the Sioux Falls market. This role provides direct leadership to on-site Property Managers and ensures each asset consistently meets or exceeds occupancy, revenue, and resident satisfaction targets.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and active involvement in day-to day operations. The Area Manager must be comfortable stepping on-site to stabilize performance, support leasing efforts, and lead teams through execution of company standards.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive performance across all assigned assets with a focus on occupancy, NOI growth, and expense control

• Monitor and manage key leasing and operational KPIs, including:

Current and future occupancy

Prospect-to-tour conversion

Tour-to-application conversion

Application-to-move-in ratios

Lead source effectiveness and cost per lease

• Identify underperformance quickly and implement clear, measurable action plans

• Ensure each property is competitive within its Sioux Falls submarket (Class A/B positioning, pricing, concessions, and product differentiation)

• Maintain strong understanding of local market trends, supply pipeline, and competitor activity

• Directly supervise, coach, and develop Property Managers and site teams

• Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable to leasing, financial, and operational goals

• Conduct regular property walks, and audits

• Train teams on: o Leasing fundamentals and closing techniques

Lead management and follow-up discipline

Customer experience and retention strategies

• Build a culture of accountability, urgency, and ownership across the portfolio

• Actively support leasing efforts to improve conversion and reduce vacancy loss

• Partner with Property Managers on:

Pricing strategy (in alignment with executive leadership)

Concessions and lease trade-out strategies (in alignment with executive leadership)

Unit readiness and curb appeal standards

• Evaluate and optimize marketing channels including:

Digital and social campaigns

• Ensure consistent and effective lead response and follow-up processes

• Assist in closing leases and training staff during periods of low performance

• Provide hands-on operational support during:

Staffing gaps

New lease-ups or transitions

Performance challenges

• Step into on-site leadership when necessary to stabilize operations

• Ensure consistent execution of company policies, SOPs, and brand standards

• Partner with maintenance leadership to ensure timely turns, work orders, and asset upkeep

• Oversee property budgets, forecasts, and financial performance

• Review monthly financials and variance reports with Property Managers

• Drive accountability for:

Payroll control

Vendor expenses

Turn costs and delinquency

• Partner with leadership on annual budgeting, capital planning, and asset strategy

• Ensure financial decisions align with ownership goals and market conditions

• Maintain strong curb appeal and overall asset condition across all communities

• Ensure properties meet or exceed market standards for cleanliness, safety, and presentation

• Drive resident retention through:

Renewal strategy execution

Resident engagement initiatives

Service response standards

• Monitor online reputation and ensure timely, professional responses to reviews

• Portfolio occupancy consistently at or above target

• Improved leasing conversion metrics across all properties

• Strong, stable, and accountable on-site teams

• Controlled expenses with positive impact on NOI

• High resident satisfaction and retention rates

• Properties recognized as top-performing assets within the Sioux Falls market

• Demonstrated culture of urgency, accountability, and operational excellence

• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Demonstrating initiative, strong supervisory and organizational skills, judgment, and discretion in making independent decisions.

• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines and defining problem areas, analyzing data, preparing formal recommendations and carrying out solutions.

• Recognizing and reporting safety problems and make recommendations for solutions.

• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, including Microsoft Office Products.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3–5+ years of multifamily property management experience (multi-site preferred)

• Proven track record of improving occupancy and financial performance

• Strong understanding of leasing, marketing, and property operations

• Experience managing teams and developing Property Managers

• Familiarity with property management software (e.g., Yardi, AppFolio)

• Ability to travel locally between properties in the Sioux Falls area

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a small office setting as well as various properties (indoor and outdoor areas) and construction sites.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Within Sioux Falls and regional areas on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel.