General Manager (New Development)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Up Campus Management is hiring a New Development General Manager to oversee the successful launch, lease-up, and ongoing operations of Blume on Ivy, a brand-new, purpose-built student housing community in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This role is responsible for the overall performance of the property, including financial results, occupancy and revenue goals, leasing and marketing, facilities management, team leadership, and regulatory compliance. The General Manager plays a critical onsite leadership role in establishing operational standards, preparing the community for opening, and guiding the property through initial lease-up and stabilization.

This position is ideal for an experienced student housing professional who thrives in new development environments, understands the complexities of launching a new community, and can balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational leadership.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The New Development General Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of property operations while ensuring alignment with the property business plan, ownership expectations, and Up Campus Management standards.

This role leads the onsite team and partners closely with regional leadership, corporate departments, and development partners to ensure operational readiness, achieve financial and leasing goals, deliver an exceptional resident experience, and protect the property's long-term value.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

New Development Launch & Operational Readiness:

• Lead onsite operational preparations for the opening of a newly developed student housing community
• Coordinate with regional leadership, development partners, and corporate teams to support a successful transition from construction to property operations
• Establish property procedures, staffing plans, resident service standards, and operational workflows ahead of opening
• Oversee initial move-in planning, unit readiness, resident communications, and opening logistics
• Identify and resolve operational challenges throughout pre-opening, initial lease-up, and stabilization

Financial Performance & NOI Management:

• Take ownership of the property's financial performance, including Net Operating Income (NOI), occupancy, revenue, and expense management
• Prepare and manage annual operating budgets, forecasts, and monthly variance analyses
• Review financial statements with regional leadership and ownership, identifying opportunities to improve performance
• Oversee accounts receivable, delinquency, collections, and other financial controls
• Manage vendor expenses, purchase orders, invoices, and contracts within established spending authority
• Evaluate rental rates, concessions, and market conditions to support revenue and occupancy goals

Lease-Up Strategy, Marketing & Occupancy Performance:

• Oversee leasing and marketing performance throughout pre-leasing, active lease-up, and stabilization
• Partner with the Leasing & Marketing Manager and corporate teams to implement effective sales, marketing, and occupancy strategies
• Monitor leasing traffic, applications, conversions, signed leases, and occupancy trends to identify opportunities for improvement
• Review competitor activity, market surveys, pricing, and concessions to maintain a competitive position
• Ensure leasing practices, prospect follow-up, and property management records are accurate and consistent with company standards
• Support campus and community partnerships that strengthen brand awareness and leasing performance

Property Operations, Facilities & Resident Experience:

• Oversee day-to-day property operations to ensure an exceptional prospect and resident experience
• Partner with the maintenance team to coordinate preventive maintenance, unit inspections, work orders, and property upkeep
• Oversee vendor and contractor relationships, service quality, and maintenance-related expenditures
• Conduct regular property inspections to maintain appearance, safety, and operational standards
• Lead move-in, move-out, and annual turnover planning, including scheduling, unit readiness, vendor coordination, and quality control
• Address resident concerns and ensure timely resolution of service issues

Team Leadership & Development:

• Recruit, train, supervise, and develop a high-performing onsite property management team
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and service standards
• Conduct regular team meetings, performance evaluations, and individual coaching sessions
• Coordinate staffing and operational priorities to support lease-up, opening, and ongoing property operations
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on achieving property goals

Risk Management, Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with Fair Housing laws, landlord-tenant regulations, safety requirements, and company policies
• Maintain accurate resident files, leases, financial records, and operational documentation
• Oversee property safety inspections, emergency preparedness, incident reporting, and risk mitigation
• Conduct regular audits of property management systems and operational records
• Prepare accurate weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on occupancy, financial performance, property operations, and key initiatives
• Communicate property performance, operational challenges, and strategic recommendations to regional leadership and ownership

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable relevant experience in student housing, property management, or a related field
• At least three years of new development lease-up experience or one year of lease-up experience at a property with 600 or more beds
• Experience managing stabilized student housing properties
• Demonstrated experience overseeing property operations, including leasing, resident services, facilities, and team performance
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and Net Operating Income (NOI) management
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing onsite property management teams
• Working knowledge of Entrata or comparable property management software
• Knowledge of Fair Housing requirements, landlord-tenant regulations, and property risk management practices
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience launching a newly developed student housing community through initial lease-up and stabilization
• Experience coordinating property opening, operational readiness, initial move-ins, and resident onboarding
• Experience overseeing large-scale student housing communities with 600 or more beds
• Experience managing vendor relationships, maintenance operations, and property turnover
• Familiarity with the Charlottesville student housing market and local university community
• Experience preparing financial and operational reports for regional leadership and ownership

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Results-driven leader who takes ownership of property performance, financial outcomes, and resident satisfaction
• Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to navigate the challenges of opening and stabilizing a new development
• Strong operational and financial decision-maker who balances revenue goals with expense management
• Hands-on leader who builds, coaches, and holds teams accountable
• Highly organized and capable of managing competing priorities, deadlines, and property launch milestones
• Committed to delivering an exceptional resident experience while protecting the long-term value of the property

SCHEDULE & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Full-time, onsite position in Charlottesville, Virginia
• Generally scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, based on operational needs
• Evening and occasional weekend availability required, particularly during property opening, move-in, and peak leasing periods
• Occasional travel may be required
• Exempt position

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Annual base salary of $80,000–$95,000 + Bonus Opportunities
• Flexible PTO and 18 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• HSA option
• 401(k) with 3% employer Safe Harbor contribution
• Employer-paid life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary supplemental insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Benefits and bonuses are subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan terms.

WHY JOIN UP CAMPUS MANAGEMENT

Join Up Campus Management as the New Development General Manager for Blume on Ivy, a brand-new, purpose-built student housing community in Charlottesville, Virginia. You'll play a central role in bringing the property to life, building a high-performing onsite team, establishing operational standards, and guiding the community through initial lease-up, opening, and stabilization. This is an opportunity to shape the resident experience, drive financial performance, and establish a strong foundation for the property's long-term success. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

E-Verify: We participate in the federal E-Verify program to confirm identity and employment authorization for all newly hired employees.

Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact View email address on ziprecruiter.com.