Applicant Services Manager in Portland, Maine at Avesta

Are you driven to create fair, efficient, and welcoming experiences for individuals seeking housing? Do you enjoy leading teams, managing complex workflows, and ensuring every applicant is treated with clarity, respect, and consistency? Avesta Housing is seeking a skilled and mission-driven Applicant Services Manager to lead our applicant intake, lease-up, and waitlist operations across our communities.

In this leadership role, you'll oversee the leasing team and guide the full applicant journey—from initial inquiry through lease-up—ensuring processes are timely, compliant, and responsive. You'll partner closely with Property Management, Compliance, and Development teams to meet occupancy goals, maintain regulatory standards, and continuously improve the applicant experience. Every day, your work will help expand equitable access to housing and advance Avesta's mission of creating and maintaining quality, affordable homes for people in need.

This role is a great fit if you:

• Enjoy leading teams while improving processes and delivering strong customer service
• Bring experience in leasing, applicant intake, or affordable housing operations
• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with competing priorities
• Are committed to fairness, compliance, and creating positive experiences for applicants

About Avesta Housing

Avesta Housing is a local leader in housing development, property management, and assisted living solutions. Founded in 1972, our nonprofit organization serves individuals and families in need of quality affordable housing in Maine and New Hampshire.

What it's Like to Work Here

Our team members have positive attitudes, are creative problem solvers, and share a dedication to housing equity and inclusion for all. Our shared commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening our communities through affordable housing gives us purpose and inspires our best work. Our workplace culture and continuous opportunities for growth have resulted in Avesta Housing being a popular place to work.

Our employees selected Avesta Housing as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Maine because of our opportunities for career advancement, friendly workplace culture, impressive benefits and compensation, responsive managers, and company values!

See what makes us more than just a workplace here.

What We're Looking For

The person who is ready for this opportunity will meet the following requirements:

• Ability to organize and reprioritize work as business needs shift.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and customer service skills.
• Superior written and communication skills.

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s or associate degree preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in affordable housing; three years of leasing experience preferred.
• Experience working with disadvantaged populations and familiarity with housing eligibility determination preferred.
• Understanding of fair housing practices and regulations preferred.
• Designation in LIHTC, RD, and/or HUD from nationally recognized trainer or Property Management required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a team; supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong technical skills in major office software applications; experience with Yardi or similar property management software preferred.

Click HERE to view the full Applicant Services Manager job description.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/ week), non-exempt position. Pay range is $33.34 - $38.47 per hour.

Work Location

The Applicant Services Manager is expected to work at our main office, located at 307 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, Maine, or at site offices at properties throughout Maine and New Hampshire, at least 3 days per week.

Benefits

We have excellent employee benefits, including:

• Employer-paid health and dental plans for employees
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate vested match of up to 6%
• Employer-paid basic life, long-term and short-term disability
• Free mental wellness services for benefits-eligible employees
• 13 paid holidays
• Up to 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Generous earned time, starting with 19 days in first year of employment
• Professional development assistance
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Ready to Apply?

If this job sounds like a fit for you, please click through to our Employment Application. A resume that tells us how your experience is relevant to this role is required.

Avesta Housing Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to being an inclusive community that values diversity in people, backgrounds, and ideas, and ensures fair treatment, access, and advancement for each person.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic background, veteran status, and family structure. We also recognize and value diversity in thought, communication styles, education, and career paths.

We believe our work is strengthened by a team that reflects the communities we serve. If you are passionate about our mission, we encourage you to apply.