Regional Vice President, Community Management

City

San Mateo

State

California

Job Location

San Mateo Corp Office

Position Type

Regular

The Regional Vice President, Community Management is a key executive leader responsible for the operational, financial, and talent performance of a premier multifamily portfolio in the North San Francisco Bay Area, encompassing approximately 50 communities and 13,000 apartment homes. This role oversees a team of Directors and Regional leaders responsible for approximately 200 employees and multiple high-profile assets.

As a strategic business partner, the Regional Vice President drives portfolio performance through revenue optimization, expense management, talent development, operational excellence, and exceptional resident experiences. This leader works closely with executive stakeholders across Asset Management, Development, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Legal, and Technology to influence and execute business strategy, maximize asset value, and strengthen the Company's market position.

The Regional Vice President is accountable for delivering sustained NOI growth, market-leading operational performance, and organizational effectiveness across the portfolio while building a high-performing leadership team and succession pipeline. This executive will play a critical role in shaping and executing the Company's investment and operating strategies, ensuring the portfolio remains competitively positioned in one of the nation's most dynamic multifamily markets.

The successful candidate is an accomplished multifamily executive with a proven track record of leading large, geographically dispersed portfolios, developing senior leaders, and delivering superior business results within complex, fast-paced organizations. Experience operating within a publicly traded REIT environment is strongly preferred.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Portfolio & Financial Leadership

• Own full portfolio operational and financial performance, driving revenue growth, expense control, resident retention, and long-term asset value creation.
• Lead and develop a team of Directors and Regional leaders, ensuring consistent execution of operational strategies and performance objectives across the portfolio.
• Develop and execute portfolio-wide business plans aligned with company investment objectives, market conditions, and growth initiatives.
• Drive NOI optimization through strategic pricing, operational efficiencies, market positioning, and execution of value-creation strategies.
• Partner with Asset Management and Finance teams on forecasting, budgeting, capital planning, and performance analysis.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to executive leadership, helping shape operational priorities and long-term portfolio strategy.
• Translate market trends, customer expectations, competitive intelligence, and emerging opportunities into actionable business initiatives.
• Partner with Development and Construction teams to ensure successful lease-up, stabilization, and operational transition of new communities.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, scalability, and consistency through process optimization and innovation.

Talent & Culture Leadership

• Build and lead high-performing teams through strong leadership, coaching, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Develop Directors and Regional leaders, fostering accountability, engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Champion company values and create an environment that attracts, develops, and retains top talent.
• Ensure organizational structure, staffing strategies, and leadership capabilities support current and future business needs.

Operational Excellence & Resident Experience

• Establish and maintain high operational standards that deliver exceptional resident experiences and strengthen brand reputation.
• Drive accountability for service excellence, resident satisfaction, community performance, and operational consistency across the portfolio.
• Leverage technology, data analytics, and best practices to improve business outcomes and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Maintain deep understanding of local market dynamics, competitive positioning, development pipelines, and demand drivers to inform strategic decisions.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience within multifamily property management, operations, or portfolio management, preferably within a publicly traded REIT
• Demonstrated success leading large multifamily portfolios with direct P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading and developing Directors, Regional Managers, or similarly senior operational leaders.
• Proven track record of driving NOI growth, operational excellence, and large-scale portfolio performance.
• Strong business acumen with expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:

• Ability to lead effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and competing business demands.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Regular travel throughout the portfolio to support operations, evaluate performance, develop teams, and engage with stakeholders.
• Ability to participate in meetings, property walks, site visits, and business travel as required.
• The position includes in-person work requirements consistent with the hybrid policy located at Essex's corporate office in San Mateo and with days in the field. The hybrid policy is subject to change at Essex’s sole discretion. Must be able to work after hours and weekends if there is a business need or emergency.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:

• Manages planning, organization, and controls for a major functional area or department. May be responsible for a mix of direct and matrix reports. Approves subordinate's recommendations for staff recruitment, selection, promotion, advancement, corrective action and termination. Effectively recommends same for direct reports to next level management for review and approval.
• Monitors appropriate staffing levels and reports on utilization and deployment of human resources. Leads and supports staff in areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising and rewarding performance and retention. Leads by example and models behaviors that are consistent with the company's values.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous service to customers. Ability to effectively present information.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive issues.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to solve problems involving several options in situations. Requires advanced analytical and quantitative skills. Decisions made with in-depth understanding and interpretation of procedures, company policies and business practices to achieve complex results. Responsible for setting project, department and/or division deadlines. Errors in judgment may cause long-term impact to line of business and/or overall company.

All full-time regular associates are offered competitive salaries, experience career growth, and are eligible for benefit packages that include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, 401k employer match, excellence rewards, wellness programs, and much more. With our 12 paid holidays and 15 PTO days, work/life balance is a priority! Additionally, most positions are eligible for a housing discount of 20%.

Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.

New hires generally start between $194,000.00 - $253,000.00 per year. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

This role is also eligible to participate in Essex’s discretionary Annual Bonus program that is commensurate with the level of the position.