What are the responsibilities and job description for the Leasing Specialist position at RHO RESIDENTIAL LLC?
Summary: The Leasing Specialist acts as the property's sales representative and provides front-line customer service. Primary duties of the Leasing Specialist include greeting prospects, presenting the amenities of the community professionally and securing lease agreements from qualified prospects. The Leasing Specialist is very service-oriented, striving to make prospects and residents feel welcome and comfortable in the community.
Requirements:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent. The position requires the ability to read and write English fluently, and the ability to perform basic to intermediate mathematical functions.
Experience: Generally, no previous work or property management experience is required.
Skills: The position requires the ability to deal well with people and get them to feel comfortable quickly. In addition, the position requires the following:
• Professional image
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong verbal skills
• Strong customer service orientation
• Assertiveness
• Ability to "close" a sale
• Ability to accurately perform basic to intermediate mathematical functions
• Ability to drive a car
Licenses: A valid driver's license and current automobile insurance is required. Real Estate License (when required by the state). NALP designation desired.
Training: Training is required throughout employment, assigned regularly and to be completed during work hours. Training courses are offered in house, through outside contractors, online, via webinars, conference calls, as well as outsourced based on needs. Training classes may require travel to and from the training offering. All employees are required to complete Fair Housing annually.
Qualifications relating to experience, skills and training will vary by property size and type and sometimes within a position at a property. Typically, property needs at the time that a vacancy occurs dictates the exact level of experience, skills and training that is necessary for the position. (Note: "Type" of property is defined by class of structure; architectural style; i.e. garden, mid-rise, high-rise; and location, i.e. suburban, in-town.)
Attendance: Position requires the ability to work every Saturday and Sunday as well as, or including, any seven days of the week, 52 weeks of the year. Due to the property staffing limitations, it is extremely critical that individuals be able to work their scheduled hours plus any other hours necessary to complete the job. Position requires the ability to serve on-call, as scheduled or as necessary. The days and hours that communities are open are subject to change based on business needs.
Equipment:
a. Position may require individuals to use their own vehicle or to operate a vehicle provided by the property to transport prospective residents on the property.** Individuals must have the ability to drive without jeopardizing their safety or that of prospects, residents or fellow employees.
b. Position requires the ability to answer telephones, clearly respond to inquiries and produce messages.
c. Position requires the ability to accurately enter data into a computer and generate printed reports.
d. Position requires individual to wear appropriate property management career apparel.
** Vehicle transportation may not be a requirement for high-rise properties, small mid-rise or garden communities.
Travel: Although position may reside primarily at one location, the ability to travel to other Company locations at Company's request due to business needs is also required.
Essential Job Functions:
1. Lease apartments and aggressively sell the products and services of the property to which they are assigned. Develop, refine and effectively implement excellent telephone and personal sales skills. Specifically, to respond to site visit or telephone inquiries, conduct site tours, effectively sell to prospects and lease apartments. Work to optimize occupancy limits while maximizing an effective lease renewal program. Site tours include, but are not limited to, transporting and showing the prospect around the property, all property amenities, model apartments and available apartments.
2. Work with the property management staff to develop and implement sales and marketing strategies, including corporate outreach. Increase property traffic levels, maintain closing ratios and work to achieve and exceed budgeted occupancy percentages.
3. Maintain thorough product knowledge of property assigned and that of major competition through site visits/tours and telephone surveys.
4. Prepare all lease related paperwork in an accurate and timely manner. Must have the ability to communicate and explain all lease documents to new and existing residents. Ensure all documents are completed prior to resident move-in.
5. Follow established policies and procedures regarding the qualifications, screening and acceptance of applicants for residency.
6. Assist with managing the day-to-day operations of the apartment community. Work with Director of Operations, Leasing or Maintenance to direct the efforts to the on-site staff to ensure apartments are ready for move-in and are maintained in a satisfactory manner. Assume responsibility for property operations when the schedule results in the Leasing Specialist being the senior management staff person on-site.
7. Maintain company customer service standards. Respond to resident requests and work with residents to minimize and resolve resident problems and complaints. Follow through to ensure issues are resolved.
8. Maintain prospect, traffic and leasing data and assist with other computer data entry as necessary. Assist with monthly closing as required.
9. Deliver resident gifts, inspect units on move-in day to ensure units are ready and assist with planning and hosting of resident parties and functions.
10. Follow the property lease renewal program. Maximize resident renewals.
11. Participate in company training classes and meetings, as required.
Non-Essential Functions:
1. Transport funds to the bank, as required by company policy.
2. All other duties assigned by the Supervisor, Operations Manager or Director of Operations.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.