How to Hire the Best Property Management & Commercial Real Estate Staff 🏢✨

Running a successful property management or commercial real estate operation relies on a strong, experienced team. Every role—from property managers overseeing day-to-day operations to leasing consultants guiding new tenants, maintenance technicians keeping buildings functional, and building engineers maintaining complex systems—directly impacts tenant satisfaction, operational efficiency, and long-term property value.

Across the U.S., multifamily housing, commercial developments, and mixed-use properties are booming. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Dallas, San Diego, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta are seeing rapid property growth, driving high demand for property management staff at all levels, from entry-level positions to regional directors.

This guide explores in-demand positions, advanced leadership roles, high-growth markets, and strategies for building a high-performing property management team.

Key Roles in Property Management & How They Contribute to Success 🏘️

Property management teams consist of diverse roles, each playing a critical part in building operations, tenant experience, and property value. Many firms are hiring across multiple levels, from on-site staff to regional and executive leadership.

Property Manager 🧑‍💼

Property managers oversee daily operations, staff coordination, budget management, and tenant satisfaction. Experienced property managers help maintain occupancy, resolve conflicts, and ensure smooth building operations.

• Skills to look for: leadership, budgeting, tenant relations, problem-solving, operational efficiency

• Trends: Property management employment is projected to grow 8% through 2032 (BLS), driven by expanding multifamily and commercial developments.

• Hiring tip: Many firms are looking to hire property managers for apartment buildings, commercial spaces, and mixed-use developments in growing cities like Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Leasing Consultant / Leasing Agent 🏢

Leasing staff drive occupancy and revenue by conducting property tours, processing applications, and closing leases. Many multifamily and commercial developments hire leasing agents and consultants to ensure units are filled efficiently.

• Skills to look for: strong communication, sales, customer service, local market knowledge

• Trends: Apartment vacancy rates are tightening, currently around 5.8% nationally (Apartment List, 2023), making experienced leasing consultants highly valuable.

• City highlights: Miami, Phoenix, and Orlando have particularly high leasing activity due to population growth and new construction.

Maintenance Technician / Apartment Maintenance Staff 🛠️

Maintenance staff are essential for property functionality and safety. They handle HVAC, plumbing, electrical issues, and general repairs. Hiring maintenance technicians ensures buildings remain operational and tenants satisfied.

• Skills to look for: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting

• Trends: With growing multifamily construction in Austin, Denver, and Salt Lake City, demand for maintenance staff continues to rise.

• Tip: Temporary maintenance staffing is often used for seasonal surges or new property openings.

Apartment Cleaner / Janitorial Staff 🧹

Cleanliness drives tenant satisfaction and property appeal. Apartment cleaners and janitorial staff maintain units, lobbies, and common areas. Many firms hire permanent and temporary cleaning staff to keep properties in top condition.

• Skills to look for: attention to detail, reliability, knowledge of cleaning protocols

• Trend: Outsourcing janitorial staffing is common in high-occupancy multifamily and commercial properties.

• City highlights: Chicago, San Diego, and Phoenix see high demand for professional cleaning personnel.

Building Engineer / Facilities Manager 🏗️

Building engineers oversee mechanical, electrical, and structural systems. They ensure energy efficiency, code compliance, and smooth operations.

• Skills to look for: HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, technical problem-solving, compliance

• Trend: Large commercial and multifamily buildings require technical expertise, creating high demand in Houston, Seattle, and Denver.

  
  

Community Manager / Assistant Property Manager 🏘️

Community managers act as a bridge between property ownership and tenants. They manage operations, tenant communications, and engagement initiatives.

• Skills to look for: leadership, communication, conflict resolution, event planning

• Trend: Tenant engagement programs are growing in multifamily developments, increasing the need for skilled community managers.

Concierge / Front Desk Staff 💼

Concierge and front desk staff enhance tenant experience in high-occupancy or luxury buildings. They manage inquiries, visitor services, and building security.

• Skills to look for: customer service, multitasking, professionalism

• Trend: Upscale and mixed-use developments increasingly rely on these roles to differentiate tenant experience.

Security Personnel 🛡️

Security staff maintain safety and manage emergencies, from front-desk security to mobile patrols in multifamily and commercial properties.

• Skills to look for: situational awareness, emergency response, communication

• Trend: Safety expectations are rising, particularly in urban and luxury markets.

Property Accountant / Financial Manager 💵

Financial staff manage budgets, rent collection, reporting, and compliance. Experienced accountants and finance managers are critical for profitability and operational efficiency.

• Skills to look for: bookkeeping, reporting, accounting software, budget management

• Trend: Growing complexity in multifamily and commercial properties has increased demand for finance staff with real estate-specific experience.

Leadership Roles: Regional, Director, and Executive Positions 🌟

In addition to operational roles, firms are increasingly hiring for regional and director-level positions to oversee multiple properties, manage teams, and execute corporate strategy.

Regional Property Manager / Director of Property Management 🏢

Regional managers oversee multiple sites, ensuring consistency in operations, tenant satisfaction, and staff performance across all properties. They often report to corporate leadership or executives and play a key role in strategic planning.

• Skills to look for: leadership across multiple properties, budgeting, team management, strategic planning

• Trend: Rapid multifamily growth in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta has increased the demand for regional managers who can manage 5–10 properties or more.

• Hiring tip: Regional property managers are often sourced through specialized property management recruiting firms for experienced candidates.

Director of Operations / Executive Director 🏛️

Director-level positions oversee operational strategy, budgets, compliance, and performance metrics across the portfolio. They often supervise regional managers and work closely with corporate leadership to drive growth.

• Skills to look for: operational leadership, strategic planning, financial oversight, team development

• Trend: As property portfolios expand, companies are prioritizing executives with experience in multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

Vice President of Property Management / Chief Operating Officer (COO) 🏢

At the executive level, VPs and COOs oversee entire property management divisions. They are responsible for corporate strategy, operational efficiency, and portfolio performance.

• Skills to look for: portfolio oversight, executive leadership, strategic vision, P&L management

• Trend: National and regional real estate companies increasingly hire executive leadership to manage large-scale multifamily and commercial portfolios efficiently.

Recruitment and Hiring Trends in Property Management 📊

• High demand across all roles: Over 400,000 professionals currently work in U.S. multifamily property management, with strong growth in metropolitan areas.

• Temporary staffing solutions: Seasonal turnover, new property openings, and peak leasing periods increase demand for temporary maintenance, janitorial, and leasing staff.

• Technical and leadership positions: Building engineers, HVAC technicians, accountants, regional managers, and directors are increasingly sought after.

• Technology adoption: Applicant tracking systems and recruitment platforms reduce time-to-hire and improve candidate matching by 20–30%.

High-Growth U.S. Markets for Property Management 🌎

Staffing needs are concentrated in cities experiencing rapid development:

• Los Angeles, CA 🌴

• New York, NY 🗽

• Miami, FL 🌴

• Dallas, TX 🤠

• San Diego, CA 🌊

• Chicago, IL 🌽

• Houston, TX 🛢️

• Phoenix, AZ 🌵

• Austin, TX 🎸

• Atlanta, GA 🍑

• Denver, CO 🏔️

• Seattle, WA 🌲

• Charlotte, NC 🏢

• Nashville, TN 🎶

• Orlando, FL 🎢

• Tampa, FL 🌞

• Raleigh, NC 🌳

• Salt Lake City, UT ⛰️

• Las Vegas, NV 🎰

• Boise, ID 🌄

These cities are seeing growth in multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use developments, driving demand for property managers, leasing consultants, maintenance staff, janitorial personnel, community managers, and leadership positions.

Leveraging Staffing Agencies for Maximum Impact 💼

Specialized property management staffing agencies help firms:

• Access vetted candidates for permanent and temporary positions

• Fill technical, operational, and executive roles efficiently

• Reduce time-to-hire and improve retention

• Focus on operations while staffing experts handle recruitment

Partnering with agencies ensures properties are managed efficiently and staffed with qualified professionals at every level—from entry-level to director and executive roles.

Conclusion: Building a High-Performing Property Management Team 🌟

From property managers to leasing consultants, maintenance technicians to janitorial staff, and regional or director-level leadership, every team member impacts property performance.

Hiring experienced professionals across all levels helps:

• Increase tenant satisfaction and retention

• Maintain operational efficiency

• Maximize property performance and profitability

Executive Property Staffing, LLC specializes in connecting firms with top property management talent nationwide. From property managers and leasing consultants to maintenance technicians, building engineers, apartment cleaners, community managers, and regional directors, they ensure teams are equipped to manage multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use properties effectively. 🌟