Assistant Property Manager
The Chicago TREND Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Reports to: Vice President, Empowered Property Management
Location: Remote; Based in Chicago, IL or Columbus, OH
Type: Temp-to-Perm (3–6 months contract with intent to convert to full-time)
Company Profile
Empowered Property Management ("Empowered") is a mission-driven property management company formed to provide property and asset management services to The Chicago TREND Corporation ("TREND") and its affiliates. Empowered oversees a multi-state portfolio of community-based commercial and mixed-use properties, delivering high-quality operations, accounting, and tenant service while advancing inclusive community wealth building. Empowered was created as part of TREND's broader initiative to strengthen neighborhoods through strategic commercial real estate investment and community ownership. TREND is a $15 million enterprise founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating pathways for Black residents and entrepreneurs to own commercial real estate. Working primarily in low-moderate income neighborhoods, TREND identifies, acquires, and improves service-oriented community shopping centers in partnership with local business owners and residents. Through this inclusive ownership model, TREND expands opportunities to lease storefronts, and structures deals that allow community investors to share in the financial returns. TREND currently owns six shopping centers under this model, with plans to acquire fifteen additional properties. In 2019, TREND also established a community development corporation (TREND CDC), an Illinois not-for-profit focused on fostering inclusive economic growth through data, research, and innovative ownership tools. Together, Empowered, TREND, and TREND CDC collaborate to build strong, inclusive communities through equitable commercial real estate ownership and impactful property operations. Core Values
Win-Win-Win: The pie is big enough for all of us; winning doesn’t mean others lose. Lead The Charge: Set the trend for best-in-class inclusive community ownership to build a Bring It On: Embrace challenges and focus on how to make it work. Push The Envelope: Use industry knowledge, creativity, and persuasion as a catalyst for growth. Of Service: Engage community residents and partners to realize a shared vision. Position Summary
Empowered Property Management is seeking a proactive, detail-oriented coordinator to support day-to-day operations and property accounting functions across a multi-state portfolio of commercial properties, including retail centers and one mixed-use (multi-family residential–retail) site. The role ensures timely work-order resolution, strong tenant and vendor communication, and accurate AP/AR processing to support monthly close and reporting. The ideal candidate combines hands-on field operations, sound accounting knowledge, and excellent written/verbal communication. Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Finance Support
Code, route, and track vendor invoices to meet bi-weekly payment cycles; ensure complete backup and correct GL/property coding. Complete new vendor setup and maintain vendor compliance files including current W-9s and Certificates of Insurance. Communicate with the accounting team to resolve coding questions and reconcile bank statements. Assist with Accounts Receivable: post tenant receipts, run aging reports, draft late notices, enter one-time charges, and log all communications. Support monthly close: suggest accruals, perform coding clean-ups/reclasses, and compile variance notes for review by the Controller/VP. Assist with CAM reconciliation process. Operations & Compliance
Conduct regular property inspections (residential units and retail spaces) and document findings with photos, work orders, and follow‑ups. Respond to tenant work orders and assign them to vendors for completion. Own preventive maintenance calendars (e.g., HVAC, life‑safety, elevators), track completions, and file inspection/test reports. Collect and track vendor and tenant Certificates of Insurance. Coordinate service contract and repair bids; assist with new service contract onboarding. Assist with lease administration functions, including new tenant setup in software. Serve as a primary contact for residential tenants: manage move-ins/move-outs, coordinate maintenance, resolve complaints, and support leasing tasks as assigned. Coordinate retail tenant requests including access, signage, after-hours work, and construction/alteration logistics as required. Draft and distribute building notices (outages, maintenance, events); maintain communications log and distribution lists. Schedule vendors, coordinate site access, and verify completion against scope. Support onboarding new properties including data collection, vendor transfer, and compliance set-up. Document standard operating procedures for inspections, tenant communications, vendor onboarding, AP intake, and AR follow-up. Contribute to scalable workflows in preparation for third-party management services launching in 2026. Qualifications
2+ years of property management experience (residential and/or retail) with hands-on operations and accounting exposure. Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organization, follow-through, and stakeholder service mindset. Experience with property/accounting and work-order systems (e.g., Yardi, MRI, QuickBooks, or similar). Intermediate Excel and proficiency with Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment; ability to travel between Chicago, Baltimore, and Columbus. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation; ability to walk properties and climb stairs. Competitive hourly rate during the temp period; eligibility for full-time salary and benefits upon successful conversion. Non-exempt position; eligible for overtime per policy. Mileage reimbursement for travel between properties. Professional development opportunities as Empowered expands its service offerings. Typical schedule: Monday–Friday; occasional evenings/weekends for emergencies or tenant events; periodic on-call rotation as assigned. At-will employment; background check may be required. Conversion Criteria (Temp-to-Perm)
Consistent achievement of KPI targets over a rolling 90–120-day period. Demonstrated ownership of AP/AR workflows, on-time compliance calendar, and positive tenant/vendor feedback. To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with property accounting, inspections, tenant relations, and vendor coordination. Empowered Property Management is an equal opportunity employer committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and fostering economic opportunity in the communities we serve.
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Empowered Property Management ("Empowered") is a mission-driven property management company formed to provide property and asset management services to The Chicago TREND Corporation ("TREND") and its affiliates. Empowered oversees a multi-state portfolio of community-based commercial and mixed-use properties, delivering high-quality operations, accounting, and tenant service while advancing inclusive community wealth building. Empowered was created as part of TREND's broader initiative to strengthen neighborhoods through strategic commercial real estate investment and community ownership. TREND is a $15 million enterprise founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating pathways for Black residents and entrepreneurs to own commercial real estate. Working primarily in low-moderate income neighborhoods, TREND identifies, acquires, and improves service-oriented community shopping centers in partnership with local business owners and residents. Through this inclusive ownership model, TREND expands opportunities to lease storefronts, and structures deals that allow community investors to share in the financial returns. TREND currently owns six shopping centers under this model, with plans to acquire fifteen additional properties. In 2019, TREND also established a community development corporation (TREND CDC), an Illinois not-for-profit focused on fostering inclusive economic growth through data, research, and innovative ownership tools. Together, Empowered, TREND, and TREND CDC collaborate to build strong, inclusive communities through equitable commercial real estate ownership and impactful property operations. Core Values
Win-Win-Win: The pie is big enough for all of us; winning doesn’t mean others lose. Lead The Charge: Set the trend for best-in-class inclusive community ownership to build a Bring It On: Embrace challenges and focus on how to make it work. Push The Envelope: Use industry knowledge, creativity, and persuasion as a catalyst for growth. Of Service: Engage community residents and partners to realize a shared vision. Position Summary
Empowered Property Management is seeking a proactive, detail-oriented coordinator to support day-to-day operations and property accounting functions across a multi-state portfolio of commercial properties, including retail centers and one mixed-use (multi-family residential–retail) site. The role ensures timely work-order resolution, strong tenant and vendor communication, and accurate AP/AR processing to support monthly close and reporting. The ideal candidate combines hands-on field operations, sound accounting knowledge, and excellent written/verbal communication. Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Finance Support
Code, route, and track vendor invoices to meet bi-weekly payment cycles; ensure complete backup and correct GL/property coding. Complete new vendor setup and maintain vendor compliance files including current W-9s and Certificates of Insurance. Communicate with the accounting team to resolve coding questions and reconcile bank statements. Assist with Accounts Receivable: post tenant receipts, run aging reports, draft late notices, enter one-time charges, and log all communications. Support monthly close: suggest accruals, perform coding clean-ups/reclasses, and compile variance notes for review by the Controller/VP. Assist with CAM reconciliation process. Operations & Compliance
Conduct regular property inspections (residential units and retail spaces) and document findings with photos, work orders, and follow‑ups. Respond to tenant work orders and assign them to vendors for completion. Own preventive maintenance calendars (e.g., HVAC, life‑safety, elevators), track completions, and file inspection/test reports. Collect and track vendor and tenant Certificates of Insurance. Coordinate service contract and repair bids; assist with new service contract onboarding. Assist with lease administration functions, including new tenant setup in software. Serve as a primary contact for residential tenants: manage move-ins/move-outs, coordinate maintenance, resolve complaints, and support leasing tasks as assigned. Coordinate retail tenant requests including access, signage, after-hours work, and construction/alteration logistics as required. Draft and distribute building notices (outages, maintenance, events); maintain communications log and distribution lists. Schedule vendors, coordinate site access, and verify completion against scope. Support onboarding new properties including data collection, vendor transfer, and compliance set-up. Document standard operating procedures for inspections, tenant communications, vendor onboarding, AP intake, and AR follow-up. Contribute to scalable workflows in preparation for third-party management services launching in 2026. Qualifications
2+ years of property management experience (residential and/or retail) with hands-on operations and accounting exposure. Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organization, follow-through, and stakeholder service mindset. Experience with property/accounting and work-order systems (e.g., Yardi, MRI, QuickBooks, or similar). Intermediate Excel and proficiency with Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment; ability to travel between Chicago, Baltimore, and Columbus. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation; ability to walk properties and climb stairs. Competitive hourly rate during the temp period; eligibility for full-time salary and benefits upon successful conversion. Non-exempt position; eligible for overtime per policy. Mileage reimbursement for travel between properties. Professional development opportunities as Empowered expands its service offerings. Typical schedule: Monday–Friday; occasional evenings/weekends for emergencies or tenant events; periodic on-call rotation as assigned. At-will employment; background check may be required. Conversion Criteria (Temp-to-Perm)
Consistent achievement of KPI targets over a rolling 90–120-day period. Demonstrated ownership of AP/AR workflows, on-time compliance calendar, and positive tenant/vendor feedback. To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience with property accounting, inspections, tenant relations, and vendor coordination. Empowered Property Management is an equal opportunity employer committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and fostering economic opportunity in the communities we serve.
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