Property Manager

Property managers at well-run multifamily companies spend their days balancing two very different kinds of work: the operational side (maintenance coordination, vendor relationships, budget tracking) and the people side (resident retention, team development, leasing performance). At Cottonwood Residential's Steepleway Downs community in Houston, you're expected to do both well.

What This Role Actually Involves

You'll carry full accountability for site operations. That means owning the annual operating budget, managing cost control initiatives, and keeping NOI on track. It also means developing and executing the property's sales and marketing strategy, not just reviewing reports someone else builds. On any given week, you might be reviewing delinquency with your team in the morning, walking a make-ready with maintenance in the afternoon, and approving a vendor invoice before you leave.

Your team looks to you for direction. Effective leadership here isn't about issuing instructions. It's about setting the standard for how residents are treated, how quickly work orders get resolved, and how the leasing team presents the community to prospects. Cottonwood has been an early adopter of Self-Guided Tours, so you'll be working within a leasing model that requires your team to perform without being physically present for every interaction. That takes systems, trust, and consistent training.

What You Need Coming In

• At least three years of experience as a property manager or in a closely related role
• Strong background in leasing, sales, or customer service
• Working knowledge of Fair Housing laws
• Experience with Entrata Core is a plus, though not required
• REIT experience is preferred. Cottonwood operates within that structure, and familiarity with owner expectations at that level helps
• NALP designation is a plus for candidates earlier in their management career

Where Strong Candidates Stand Out

The managers who thrive in this type of role come in already comfortable reading a T-12 and asking the right questions about variances. They don't wait for corporate to flag a budget problem. They also understand that occupancy and resident satisfaction aren't separate goals. High turnover kills NOI just as surely as poor expense management does, and the best property managers treat retention as a financial discipline, not just a hospitality one.

If you're currently a strong assistant manager ready to take the next step, or an experienced PM looking for a company that invests in innovation rather than just maintaining the status quo, this role is worth your attention. The quarterly bonus structure ties your compensation directly to property performance, which means your instincts and effort show up in your paycheck.