Manager of Real Estate Transactions

Position: Manager of Real Estate Transactions Location: Cleveland, OH Salary: $70,000 - $78,480 (FLSA Exempt) Position Summary The Real Estate Transaction Manager is responsible for managing residential real estate transactions from late‑stage readiness through closing, ensuring all buyers, financing, title, and compliance requirements are fully aligned for a smooth and timely settlement and closing. This role serves as the central point of coordination across internal teams, lenders, title partners, existing lien holders, and clients—owning transactions from intake through closing, funding and recording. The Transaction Manager plays a critical role in validating deal readiness, identifying and resolving issues early, and driving accountability across all parties to maintain closing timelines. This includes finalizing buyer qualification elements, coordinating with lenders, existing/future lien holders and title companies, and ensuring all contractual, financial, and regulatory conditions are met prior to closing. In addition to traditional purchase transactions, this role manages partner‑driven work, including income certifications, eligibility determinations, and compliance‑based activities. The Transaction Manager ensures all program requirements are satisfied and that files are complete, accurate, and audit‑ready. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Transaction Ownership & Coordination Own a pipeline of active home purchase transactions from intake through closing Serve as the primary point of contact for all transaction‑related coordination Drive timelines and ensure all parties remain aligned to meet closing deadlines Help establish intake standards by establishing defined readiness criteria Validate buyer readiness, including income, credit, and underwriting pathway Coordinate with lenders to ensure loan approval, conditions, and closing timelines are met Identify and resolve issues that may impact financing prior to closing Contract, Title & Compliance Management Draft, prepare, and finalize purchase agreements in coordination with buyers, sellers, and agents Review executed purchase agreements for accuracy and completeness Coordinate with title companies to ensure title work is opened, reviewed, and cleared Ensure all subsidy, program, and compliance documentation is complete, accurate, and approved prior to closing Closing Preparation & Execution Prepare and/or review Closing Disclosures and settlement statements Confirm all conditions are satisfied prior to closing Schedule closings and coordinate logistics with all parties Facilitate funding and ensure accurate disbursement and recording Partner Transactions & Income Certification Manage and execute partner‑driven transactions, including income certifications and eligibility determinations Review and verify income documentation in accordance with program guidelines and regulatory requirements Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure timely completion of certifications, lien and covenant releases and/or modifications and transaction requirements Maintain accurate, audit‑ready documentation for all partner‑related activities Track and manage timelines for ad hoc or batch transactions to ensure deadlines are met Serve as a point of contact for partner inquiries related to transaction status, documentation, and compliance Proactively identify risks, gaps, or delays in transactions Resolve issues quickly by coordinating across internal and external stakeholders Escalate critical issues as needed to maintain timeline integrity Pipeline Visibility & Process Accountability Maintain accurate status tracking for all active transactions Provide regular updates on pipeline status, risks, and timelines Ensure adherence to defined workflows, intake standards, and closing processes Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reduce delays, and standardize processes Performance Expectations Manage a consistent pipeline of active transactions Achieve on‑time closing rates aligned with organizational targets Ensure high‑quality, audit‑ready files with minimal errors or rework Effectively balance core transactions with partner/compliance responsibilities Uphold intake standards by accepting only files that meet defined readiness criteria Education and/or Work Experience Requirements High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred Advanced experience in real estate transactions, closings, title, mortgage, or transaction management Strong understanding of residential real estate transactions, including financing, title, and closing processes Experience with compliance‑heavy or affordable housing programs, such as LIHTC program or HUD funding, preferred Experience with income certification, eligibility determination, or program compliance processes preferred Familiarity with HUD, LIHTC, or other housing program requirements Experience with transaction or loan system software (e.g., Salesforce, Calyx Path or similar transaction/loan management systems) Key Skills Ownership of transactions from intake through closing, including ability to assess file readiness and enforce intake standards Transaction management and coordination across lenders, title partners, internal teams, and clients; experience as a closing manager at title company or a paralegal preferred Strong understanding of residential real estate processes, including purchase agreement preparation, buyer qualification, underwriting alignment, and closing execution Income certification, program eligibility determination, and compliance management (e.g., HUD, LIHTC or similar) Proactive problem‑solving and risk identification to prevent delays or deal disruption Pipeline management, timeline execution, and ability to manage dual workflows (closings and partner/compliance transactions) with high accuracy Ownership mentality with accountability for moving transactions to completion Strong attention to detail and accuracy Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities Problem‑solving skills with a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach Clear and professional communication skills Strong organizational and time‑management skills Ability to manage dual workflows (standard transactions and partner/compliance work) effectively Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements Ability to perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other standards. Regular and punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other standards. Why Should You Apply? You want to be part of an organization where the work you do will have a positive and lasting difference in the community. Opportunities for on‑the‑job training and/or professional development. #J-18808-Ljbffr