Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Leasing Manager
💰 $75,000 - $115,000
🎯 Role Definition
The Leasing Manager is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the entire leasing lifecycle of our premier [Residential/Commercial/Mixed-Use] portfolio. You will be the driving force behind achieving and maintaining optimal occupancy levels, maximizing rental income, and ensuring a superior tenant experience. This position blends strategic marketing, hands-on sales, sharp negotiation, and effective team management to contribute directly to the asset's financial performance and market reputation. We're looking for a proactive and strategic leader to not only manage day-to-day leasing operations but also to innovate and elevate our leasing program to new heights.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Senior Leasing Consultant
- Assistant Property Manager
- High-Performing Leasing Agent
Advancement To:
- Regional Leasing Manager or Director of Leasing
- Senior Property Manager
- Asset Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Property Manager
- Corporate Housing Manager
- Real Estate Broker/Agent
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Direct, oversee, and manage the entire leasing process from initial lead generation and prospect inquiry through to lease execution and tenant move-in.
- Develop and implement comprehensive, data-driven marketing and advertising strategies to attract a high volume of qualified prospective tenants and maintain a strong market presence.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis and competitive surveys to monitor local market trends, rental rates, and concessions, providing strategic recommendations to senior management.
- Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of leasing consultants, setting clear performance goals, providing ongoing training, and conducting regular performance reviews to ensure a high-functioning sales team.
- Skillfully negotiate complex lease terms, rental rates, tenant improvements, and concessions with prospective tenants and their representatives to secure favorable terms for the property.
- Achieve and consistently exceed established leasing and occupancy targets, driving revenue growth and minimizing vacancy loss across the assigned portfolio.
- Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships with current and prospective tenants, acting as a key point of contact to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction and retention.
- Prepare, review, and execute all lease agreements, addendums, and associated legal documentation, ensuring meticulous accuracy and full compliance with company policies and legal standards.
- Oversee the meticulous screening and qualification of all tenant applications, including credit, criminal, and rental history checks, to mitigate risk and ensure a high-quality tenant base.
- Collaborate closely with the Property Manager and maintenance teams to ensure that available units are "market-ready" in a timely manner and that property tours showcase the asset in the best possible light.
- Manage and maintain the property's online presence, including internet listing services (ILS), social media channels, and the property website, to ensure information is accurate and compelling.
- Develop and manage the annual leasing and marketing budget, tracking expenditures and analyzing the ROI of all marketing campaigns and initiatives.
- Generate and present detailed weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on leasing activity, traffic sources, conversion rates, and occupancy trends to stakeholders and executive leadership.
- Ensure strict compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including Fair Housing laws, ADA, and other relevant real estate ordinances.
Secondary Functions
- Spearhead resident retention initiatives, collaborating with the property management team to plan and execute community events and communication strategies.
- Assist the Asset Management team with financial forecasting, variance analysis, and long-term strategic planning for the property.
- Manage relationships with third-party marketing vendors, brokers, and corporate relocation services to expand lead generation channels.
- Champion the use of the property management software (e.g., Yardi, RealPage, AppFolio) to ensure data integrity, streamline workflows, and leverage system reporting capabilities.
misc - Coordinate the tenant move-in and move-out processes, ensuring a smooth transition and conducting pre-move-in inspections.
- Review and approve all leasing-related invoices and commissions, ensuring they are processed accurately and on time.
- Participate in industry-specific networking events and professional organizations to stay informed of best practices and build a strong professional network.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Lease Negotiation & Administration: Proven ability to negotiate and structure complex lease agreements for residential or commercial properties.
- Property Management Software: High proficiency in industry-specific software such as Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, or AppFolio.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of property-level financial statements, budgeting, P&L, and ROI analysis.
- Market Analysis: Expertise in conducting competitive market surveys, analyzing demographic data, and identifying market trends.
- Legal Compliance: Deep knowledge of Fair Housing laws, landlord-tenant laws, and other relevant real estate regulations.
- CRM & Sales Funnel Management: Experience using CRM systems to track leads, manage sales pipelines, and report on leasing metrics.
- Digital Marketing: Familiarity with managing Internet Listing Services (ILS), social media marketing, and SEO/SEM for property marketing.
Soft Skills
- Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and motivate a sales-oriented team to achieve ambitious goals.
- Negotiation & Persuasion: Exceptional influencing and negotiation skills with a track record of closing deals.
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Sales & Customer-Centric Mindset: A natural sales drive combined with a genuine commitment to providing an outstanding customer experience.
- Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Adept at identifying issues, analyzing root causes, and implementing effective, diplomatic solutions.
- Organizational & Time Management: Excellent ability to multitask, prioritize high-impact activities, and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to lease documentation, reporting, and compliance to ensure accuracy and mitigate risk.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of professional experience and education.
Preferred Education:
Bachelor's or Master's Degree. Real Estate License and/or industry certifications (e.g., CAM, CAPS, NALP) are highly desirable.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Real Estate
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Finance
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
5-8+ years of progressive experience in property leasing or real estate sales, with a minimum of 2-3 years in a management or supervisory capacity.
Preferred:
Demonstrated experience managing the leasing operations for a large-scale, Class-A multifamily community, a significant commercial (office/retail) portfolio, or a new construction lease-up project is highly preferred. A verifiable track record of meeting or exceeding occupancy and revenue goals is essential.