Area Manager in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Cresten Property Management

JOB SUMMARY:

The Area Manager is responsible for the full operational, financial, and leasing performance of a portfolio of approximately four multifamily communities in the Sioux Falls market. This role provides direct leadership to on-site Property Managers and ensures each asset consistently meets or exceeds occupancy, revenue, and resident satisfaction targets.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and active involvement in day-to day operations. The Area Manager must be comfortable stepping on-site to stabilize performance, support leasing efforts, and lead teams through execution of company standards.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive performance across all assigned assets with a focus on occupancy, NOI growth, and expense control
• Monitor and manage key leasing and operational KPIs, including:

o Current and future occupancy o Prospect-to-tour conversion

o Tour-to-application conversion

o Application-to-move-in ratios

o Lead source effectiveness and cost per lease

• Identify underperformance quickly and implement clear, measurable action plans
• Ensure each property is competitive within its Sioux Falls submarket (Class A/B positioning, pricing, concessions, and product differentiation)
• Maintain strong understanding of local market trends, supply pipeline, and competitor activity
• Directly supervise, coach, and develop Property Managers and site teams
• Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable to leasing, financial, and operational goals
• Conduct regular property walks, and audits
• Train teams on:

o Leasing fundamentals and closing techniques

o Lead management and follow-up discipline

o Customer experience and retention strategies

• Build a culture of accountability, urgency, and ownership across the portfolio
• Actively support leasing efforts to improve conversion and reduce vacancy loss
• Partner with Property Managers on:

o Pricing strategy (in alignment with executive leadership)

o Concessions and lease trade-out strategies (in alignment with executive leadership)

o Unit readiness and curb appeal standards

• Evaluate and optimize marketing channels including:

o Digital and social campaigns

• Ensure consistent and effective lead response and follow-up processes
• Assist in closing leases and training staff during periods of low performance
• Provide hands-on operational support during:

o Staffing gaps

o New lease-ups or transitions

o Performance challenges

• Step into on-site leadership when necessary to stabilize operations
• Ensure consistent execution of company policies, SOPs, and brand standards
• Partner with maintenance leadership to ensure timely turns, work orders, and asset upkeep
• Oversee property budgets, forecasts, and financial performance
• Review monthly financials and variance reports with Property Managers
• Drive accountability for:

o Payroll control

o Vendor expenses

o Turn costs and delinquency

• Partner with leadership on annual budgeting, capital planning, and asset strategy
• Ensure financial decisions align with ownership goals and market conditions
• Maintain strong curb appeal and overall asset condition across all communities
• Ensure properties meet or exceed market standards for cleanliness, safety, and presentation
• Drive resident retention through:

o Renewal strategy execution

o Resident engagement initiatives

o Service response standards

• Monitor online reputation and ensure timely, professional responses to reviews
• Portfolio occupancy consistently at or above target
• Improved leasing conversion metrics across all properties
• Strong, stable, and accountable on-site teams
• Controlled expenses with positive impact on NOI
• High resident satisfaction and retention rates
• Properties recognized as top-performing assets within the Sioux Falls market
• Demonstrated culture of urgency, accountability, and operational excellence
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Required Skills / Abilities:

Demonstrating initiative, strong supervisory and organizational skills, judgment, and discretion in making independent decisions.

• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines and defining problem areas, analyzing data, preparing formal recommendations and carrying out solutions.
• Recognizing and reporting safety problems and make recommendations for solutions.
• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, including Microsoft Office Products.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3–5+ years of multifamily property management experience (multi-site preferred)
• Proven track record of improving occupancy and financial performance
• Strong understanding of leasing, marketing, and property operations
• Experience managing teams and developing Property Managers
• Familiarity with property management software (e.g., Yardi, AppFolio)
• Ability to travel locally between properties in the Sioux Falls area

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a small office setting as well as various properties (indoor and outdoor areas) and construction sites.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Within Sioux Falls and regional areas on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel.