Leasing Consultant

Leasing is a skills-heavy position that most people underestimate. The ones who do it well combine genuine sales instincts with something closer to hospitality, and they run that combination all day, every interaction, every tour. At Evergreen at the Bluffs in Knoxville, Hawthorne Residential Partners is hiring a Leasing Consultant to be exactly that kind of person on the front line of a community they clearly take seriously.

The Skills This Role Runs On

Traffic conversion is the core job. You're greeting prospects, conducting tours personalized to what each person actually cares about, and following up until the lease is signed. That requires reading people quickly, handling objections without getting rattled, and staying organized across phone calls, emails, and web leads simultaneously. Accuracy matters too: applications, verifications, and move-in paperwork need to be done right the first time. Errors at the front end of a tenancy tend to echo.

Resident relations is the other half. You'll coordinate and attend community events, respond to resident questions with some actual patience, and help keep common areas and the leasing office presentable. Community feel is a retention tool. Renewals don't happen in a vacuum.

Schedule and Practical Realities

The leasing office runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM. You'll get one weekday off each week to keep the schedule at 40 hours. Resident events and occasional community needs may push into evenings. That's standard for leasing roles and worth knowing upfront.

Hawthorne is a top-50 multifamily operator with deep Southeast roots. They run a formal Career Path Program with in-house learning and development, which matters if you're thinking about the next step. The leasing-to-assistant-manager pipeline is one of the most natural progressions in our industry, and companies that actually invest in it make a real difference in how fast that move happens.

What Separates Strong Candidates Here

Hawthorne lists the traits they're looking for, and the honest translation is this: the candidates who thrive in leasing roles aren't necessarily the ones with the most apartment experience. One year of customer service or sales is preferred but not required. What actually separates good leasing consultants from average ones is coachability and consistency. Showing up with the same energy on a slow Tuesday as a busy Saturday. Following up when it's inconvenient. Learning the local comp set well enough to speak to it intelligently on a tour.

• High school diploma or GED required
• One year of customer service, sales, or leasing experience preferred (not required)
• Valid driver's license required
• CALP certification is a plus

Commission eligibility on leasing and renewals is part of the compensation structure, alongside an hourly base rate. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k match, paid time off, pet insurance, and paid parental leave options.