Real Estate Operations & Investments Associate
Lightrock Management, New York, NY, United States
Real Estate Operations & Investments Associate
Location:
Manhattan, NY (Near Grand Central) Job Type:
Full-Time | In Person Schedule:
Monday–Friday (High-ownership role; results-driven environment) Compensation:
$70,000–$75,000 base + performance-based bonus with clear, measurable targets tied to property performance, cost savings, and construction execution. First-year on-target earnings of $90,000–$130,000+ for strong performers. Additional long-term upside through participation in deal carry (promote). This role is designed for someone who wants to accelerate into real estate investing and senior leadership, not sit in a traditional corporate track. You will work directly with the founder and take on increasing responsibility across operations, asset management, and construction execution.
About Us We are a
growing real estate investment and management firm
with
over $18 million in assets under management
, focused on acquiring and redeveloping value-add multifamily, mixed-use
, and industrial properties
across the New York metro area. Our team operates with a
startup mentality
— lean, fast-moving, and entrepreneurial. We value people who can think independently, take initiative, and bring creative solutions to the table. As we expand our portfolio, we’re looking for a hands-on team member who wants to
grow with the company
and play a key role in shaping its future.
The Role We are hiring a Real Estate Operations & Investments Associate— a high-ownership role responsible for managing and improving the performance of our current portfolio (59 apartments and 5 retail units) while helping us build the operational infrastructure for future growth. You will work directly with ownership and gradually take full responsibility for day-to-day property and asset operations, allowing leadership to focus on acquisitions and expansion. This role is ideal for someone who: Wants real responsibility Thinks like an owner Is comfortable making decisions Wants to grow into a senior leadership role over time This is not a maintenance coordination job. This is an operations leadership track role inside a scaling investment firm. This is a high-responsibility role where you will be expected to operate with urgency, solve problems independently, and take full ownership of outcomes.
Core Responsibilities Portfolio & Asset Management Serve as primary operator across the portfolio Oversee tenant relations, renewals, collections, and court appearances as needed Maintain high occupancy and strong rent collection performance Identify recurring operational issues and implement permanent solutions Improve property-level performance and increase NOI Expense Control & Vendor Management Audit expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities Renegotiate vendor contracts and service agreements Oversee vendor performance and accountability Review and approve invoices (non-bookkeeping oversight) Construction & CapEx Oversight Oversee active construction or value-add projects Solicit and analyze bids Ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget Proactively manage contractor relationships Systems, Organization & AI Integration Maintain structured digital file systems (OneDrive, AppFolio) Implement operational efficiencies and automation Use AI tools to streamline reporting, leasing workflows, and internal processes Build SOPs and scalable systems to support future growth Reporting & Performance Tracking Prepare property-level performance reports Monitor KPIs (NOI, occupancy, expense ratios, collections) Support acquisition due diligence and data organization Assist with investment memoranda and portfolio analysis
Performance-Based Bonus Structure Compensation includes a performance-based bonus tied directly to measurable portfolio performance, including: NOI growth vs. budget Expense reduction and vendor optimization Occupancy and collections performance Construction execution within budget Implementation of systems and operational improvements This role is structured for someone who wants their compensation to grow as they create value.
What We’re Looking For Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (or graduating soon; strong candidates without may be considered) 0–2 years of real estate experience (property management, asset management, or related field preferred) Strong financial literacy with good Excel skills Highly organized with strong attention to detail Tech-savvy; strong computer skills and ability to quickly learn new systems Interest in AI, automation, and improving operational efficiency Must have a car and be willing to travel locally to properties (1–3x per week) Ability to commute to Manhattan within ~45 minutes You’ll Thrive Here If You: Want to grow into a senior operations leadership role Think critically and operate independently Have an entrepreneurial mindset and take initiative without being told Take full ownership of your work without needing micromanagement Perform well in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment Want your income, responsibility, and upside to scale with performance
Why Join Us · Ground-floor opportunity in a growing real estate investment firm · Direct exposure to ownership, asset management, and acquisitions · Real responsibility from day one — not a siloed corporate role · Clear path to senior leadership as the portfolio scales · Performance-driven upside with long-term wealth creation potential
If you’re hungry, growth-oriented, and ready to take ownership inside a fast-scaling real estate firm, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us build the next stage of our investment platform.
Location:
Manhattan, NY (Near Grand Central) Job Type:
Full-Time | In Person Schedule:
Monday–Friday (High-ownership role; results-driven environment) Compensation:
$70,000–$75,000 base + performance-based bonus with clear, measurable targets tied to property performance, cost savings, and construction execution. First-year on-target earnings of $90,000–$130,000+ for strong performers. Additional long-term upside through participation in deal carry (promote). This role is designed for someone who wants to accelerate into real estate investing and senior leadership, not sit in a traditional corporate track. You will work directly with the founder and take on increasing responsibility across operations, asset management, and construction execution.
About Us We are a
growing real estate investment and management firm
with
over $18 million in assets under management
, focused on acquiring and redeveloping value-add multifamily, mixed-use
, and industrial properties
across the New York metro area. Our team operates with a
startup mentality
— lean, fast-moving, and entrepreneurial. We value people who can think independently, take initiative, and bring creative solutions to the table. As we expand our portfolio, we’re looking for a hands-on team member who wants to
grow with the company
and play a key role in shaping its future.
The Role We are hiring a Real Estate Operations & Investments Associate— a high-ownership role responsible for managing and improving the performance of our current portfolio (59 apartments and 5 retail units) while helping us build the operational infrastructure for future growth. You will work directly with ownership and gradually take full responsibility for day-to-day property and asset operations, allowing leadership to focus on acquisitions and expansion. This role is ideal for someone who: Wants real responsibility Thinks like an owner Is comfortable making decisions Wants to grow into a senior leadership role over time This is not a maintenance coordination job. This is an operations leadership track role inside a scaling investment firm. This is a high-responsibility role where you will be expected to operate with urgency, solve problems independently, and take full ownership of outcomes.
Core Responsibilities Portfolio & Asset Management Serve as primary operator across the portfolio Oversee tenant relations, renewals, collections, and court appearances as needed Maintain high occupancy and strong rent collection performance Identify recurring operational issues and implement permanent solutions Improve property-level performance and increase NOI Expense Control & Vendor Management Audit expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities Renegotiate vendor contracts and service agreements Oversee vendor performance and accountability Review and approve invoices (non-bookkeeping oversight) Construction & CapEx Oversight Oversee active construction or value-add projects Solicit and analyze bids Ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget Proactively manage contractor relationships Systems, Organization & AI Integration Maintain structured digital file systems (OneDrive, AppFolio) Implement operational efficiencies and automation Use AI tools to streamline reporting, leasing workflows, and internal processes Build SOPs and scalable systems to support future growth Reporting & Performance Tracking Prepare property-level performance reports Monitor KPIs (NOI, occupancy, expense ratios, collections) Support acquisition due diligence and data organization Assist with investment memoranda and portfolio analysis
Performance-Based Bonus Structure Compensation includes a performance-based bonus tied directly to measurable portfolio performance, including: NOI growth vs. budget Expense reduction and vendor optimization Occupancy and collections performance Construction execution within budget Implementation of systems and operational improvements This role is structured for someone who wants their compensation to grow as they create value.
What We’re Looking For Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (or graduating soon; strong candidates without may be considered) 0–2 years of real estate experience (property management, asset management, or related field preferred) Strong financial literacy with good Excel skills Highly organized with strong attention to detail Tech-savvy; strong computer skills and ability to quickly learn new systems Interest in AI, automation, and improving operational efficiency Must have a car and be willing to travel locally to properties (1–3x per week) Ability to commute to Manhattan within ~45 minutes You’ll Thrive Here If You: Want to grow into a senior operations leadership role Think critically and operate independently Have an entrepreneurial mindset and take initiative without being told Take full ownership of your work without needing micromanagement Perform well in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment Want your income, responsibility, and upside to scale with performance
Why Join Us · Ground-floor opportunity in a growing real estate investment firm · Direct exposure to ownership, asset management, and acquisitions · Real responsibility from day one — not a siloed corporate role · Clear path to senior leadership as the portfolio scales · Performance-driven upside with long-term wealth creation potential
If you’re hungry, growth-oriented, and ready to take ownership inside a fast-scaling real estate firm, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us build the next stage of our investment platform.