Blaze is a rental housing investment and development firm driven by a simple but unusual mission: creating homes for how people live and how they want to live. The Company is led by two founding principals with more than 35 years and +$5 billion combined in multifamily investment experience. With a human-first approach fueled by demographic and psychographic research, Blaze owns and operates exceptional communities in high-growth markets throughout the Sunbelt. From its headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, and its second office in Atlanta, Georgia, Blaze offers a full suite of investment services, ranging from research and acquisitions to development and asset management.
JOB SUMMARY:
Based in Atlanta, GA, the Director, Property Operations will be part of the Asset Management team and will oversee all aspects of a multi-family portfolio in the Sunbelt. The Director will lead the execution of the Company’s asset strategy, renovation, operations, and compliance in partnership with the property management companies and investment and development teams through implementation of the asset business plans. The Director will assist with setting the foundation for owned asset growth in both acquisition and development, and mentor future employees of the Company. The Director should apply a pro-active management strategy to achieve specific income, expense, and rate-of-return targets for each asset in the portfolio. The role will be a part of the Asset Management group which is expected to deliver an Institutional Fund Management platform built for premier data analysis, accuracy, and scale utilizing best in class technological resources.
In addition to internal interface, the Director will have constructive yet collaborative relationships with Equity Partners and Lenders. The role requires dynamic verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal abilities, strong analytical and quantitative skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work with production teams acquiring and developing new assets to establish asset strategy and property performance objectives. Assist in the establishment of the business plan for the asset during due diligence and provide recommendations on development and renovation execution based on market dynamics and consumer / investment demand including interior unit design, amenity configuration, floor plan modifications / unit mix, etc.
Oversee the performance of the investment portfolio and optimization of portfolio level returns through asset strategy implementation. Responsible for the initial sign-off of operating proformas, on-going performance tracking to proforma for each asset, reviewing valuation assumptions and cash flow projections. Business plan execution includes operational oversight, capital renovation strategy and execution, annual budget process management, asset revaluations, and hold/sell analysis.
Responsible for achieving specific income, expense, and rate of return targets for the portfolio of owned assets.
Oversight of property operations, renovations, and lease-up of owned portfolio. Collect, input and analyze P/L and budget to actual financial data, monthly physical and qualified occupancy results, construction and lease up progress versus underwritten proforma. Weekly review of the leasing report and effective rent analysis for discussion with the portfolio constituents. Review of status reports from the capital projects group to ensure that capital renovation projects remain on time and in budget.
Monitor investment performance, returns and forecasts through financial modeling. Facilitate sharing of essential property/market information (i.e. market studies, development pipelines, etc.) to internal investment teams and Senior Executives.
Responsible for accurate and timely monthly reporting to Partners, Lenders, and other key constituents to include capital and debt compliance requirements as documented in partnership and lender agreements. Perform as the primary line of communication to the management company regarding asset execution and equity partners.
Required to lead asset performance calls with Principals on portfolio metrics and advise on performance, budget variances and significant changes in the market and/or property conditions.
Establish the annual asset business plans and determine how to optimize returns at the asset level. Provide support to the investment and development teams with the disposition of assets identified for sale.
Site visits required not less than quarterly
Lead quarterly reforecast process
Develop and supervise a first-class team by interviewing, hiring, orienting, and training employees, and managing their performance in accordance with Company policies, values, and business practices. Stimulate and support the team in developing and implementing ideas that improve process, productivity, and effectiveness, and champion business improvement efforts.
Identify areas for improvement, offers suggestions to improve the overall efficiency and productivity of the Investment and Development business line, and introduce procedures and activities (to include technology initiatives) that control costs, improve quality, and drive efficiencies.
Other duties may be assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.
Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution preferred
Five years or more of multifamily experience
Two years or more of senior level multifamily operational experience
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job
Management and supervisory experience
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software with strong financial modeling abilities in Excel.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
None.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Time and Travel Demands
Responsibilities may require an adjusted work schedule, travel, and evening/weekend hours to meet deadlines or attend special events. Responsibilities may also require travel on a limited basis.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
Blaze is a rental housing investment and development firm driven by a simple but unusual mission: creating homes for how people live and how they want to live. The Company is led by two founding principals with more than 35 years and +$5 billion combined in multifamily investment experience. With a human-first approach fueled by demographic and psychographic research, Blaze owns and operates exceptional communities in high-growth markets throughout the Sunbelt. From its headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina, and its second office in Atlanta, Georgia, Blaze offers a full suite of investment services, ranging from research and acquisitions to development and asset management.
