Vice President of Operations

Founded in 1998, Universal Development and Construction (UDC) is a leading real estate development, construction, and management firm based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Specializing in both residential and commercial projects, UDC offers comprehensive real estate solutions tailored to the needs of our diverse clientele.

Recognizing the vital role of our dedicated team members, UDC fosters a dynamic corporate culture that emphasizes excellence and integrity. We believe in providing competitive compensation packages and incentive programs, coupled with ongoing corporate training and opportunities for career advancement, to support the growth and success of our employees.

Job Summary:
The Vice President of Operations for UDC will play a critical role in leading and overseeing the operational functions of the company. This role oversees the company’s overall performance, including ensuring profitability targets are established and reviewed and company-wide processes and procedures are designed, implemented, and followed. The VPO is responsible for company staffing to include defining appropriate staffing levels, monitoring employee performance and growth, and building employee retention. This position reports to the EVP/COO but works across all departments to promote company culture, drive profitability, and sustain growth. This is an executive management position tasked with building positive working relationships with team members, partners, company affiliates, owners, investors, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications:
The position requires proven leadership and decision-making skills, strong business and strategic planning capability, excellent communication skills and the ability to apply analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in a fast-paced, changing, and growing environment. The position also requires the ability to motivate and persuade others to drive organizational change, experience managing across multiple departments, and the attention to detail required to manage both projects and people within established timelines. Skills and knowledge base required focused on all aspects of multi-family and commercial property management including marketing, accounting, finance, operational management, asset management, information technology, and human resources.

Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Personal:

Models the UDC mission, vision, and values, promoting the company at all times.

Projects a professional image in all aspects of work performance, including personal habits, demeanor, appearance, and attire.

Meets company standards and values as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Demonstrate excellent communication and listening skills and helps foster positive communication and teamwork both inside and outside the company with coworkers, residents, consultants, lenders, community agencies, owners and investors.

Supervisory:

Provide leadership and guidance across all company departments including property management, asset management, accounting, finance, marketing, information technology and human resources.

Align organizational and department structures for efficiency and effectiveness and to support future growth.

Oversee employee base in all departments and affiliated companies ensuring team members grow and develop, and that team members receive needed feedback and that organizational goals are met.

Property Management:

Work closely with the Director of Property Management in the oversight of all property management functions for multi-family, commercial, storage, and other business units.

Collaborate with Property Management and Accounting/Finance teams to ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements are met for owners, lenders, investors, and government entities.

Assist in annual budget preparation for all portfolio properties and entities.

Monitor market rents and make recommendations as needed.

Assist in ensuring all portfolio properties and entities meet defined financial and operational goals.

Stay abreast of outstanding operational and management issues across portfolio.

Assist in performing regular reviews of grounds, buildings and property and ensure physical aspects of supervised portfolio meet company standards.

Review and understand management agreements and other related documents pertaining to existing and new or proposed projects and provide input as requested.

Accounting & Finance:

Work closely with the Director of Accounting & Finance in the oversight of general accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting responsibilities ensuring transactions are properly recorded, financial reports accurately present results, transactions comply with policies and procedures, and proper internal controls are in place.

Assist in driving a culture of continuing improvement across the accounting and finance platforms through modernizing, standardizing, and improving processes and efficiencies and maximizing available technology.

Assist in the oversight of the integrity of financial reporting and provide accurate and real-time reporting.

Define and provide portfolio key performance indicators, statistical data, and trend analysis to project future performance, identify potential issues and help drive improvement.

Support the monitoring of changes in the finance and accounting industry to identify and implement functional and operational changes that align with current best practices and trends.

Human Resources:

Work closely with the Director of Human Resources in the oversight of human resources functions including recruiting, hiring, training, professional development, legal compliance, performance evaluation, compensation, and culture.

Oversee and recommend employee relations practices necessary to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale.

Oversee the protection of employees' and the company's interests in accordance with company human resources policies and governmental laws and regulations.

Support the establishment of wage and salary structures, pay policies, performance appraisal programs, and employee benefit programs and services and monitor them for effectiveness and total cost.

Information Technology:

Work closely with the Director of Information Technology in the oversight of information technology systems including planning, developing, and organizing information technology functions and monitoring performance to promote operational efficiency and support company goals.

Oversee the development of strategies and initiatives to manage hardware and equipment, software, and network infrastructure.

Support the evaluation of new solutions, processes, and upgrades to ensure network capability and peak performance.

Support the overseeing of updated IT policies, standards, practices, and security measures to ensure effective and consistent information processing operations.

Asset Management:

Provide leadership and support to the Asset Management team including oversight and creation of annual Asset Management budget and monitoring actual performance against budget.

Assist in refinancing efforts on existing portfolio properties and securing asset level financing for new acquisitions and developments, including assisting with due diligence and closing process.

Assist in the preparation of investment materials and presentations.

Assist in the preparation of pro-forma financial statements and modeling for the portfolio properties in each of the phases of development, construction, and refinancing, providing updates to owners, lenders, and investors, as necessary.

Track property performance against original underwriting projections and make recommendations as needed.

Collaborate with Property Management team to develop strategic plans to achieve both the financial and investment goals of our owners and investors.

Review and advise on organizational documents, agreements, and contracts to ensure document accuracy, protection of company interests, and legal, tax, and other regulatory compliance.

Marketing:

Work closely with the Director of Marketing providing oversight of all marketing functions and responsibilities including all marketing campaigns, websites, social media, and community relations.

Guide the development of the brand strategy and evaluate and recommend alternative marketing avenues and ways to promote the brand strategy.

Collaborate with all departments to ensure all brands are consistently presented and brand strategy is maintained.

Other:

Partner with Director of Risk Management to mitigate risks and exposures for the company and the managed portfolio.

Stay abreast of current property management issues and trends and communicate to senior leadership how they might benefit or impact our portfolio.

Special projects or other duties as identified or requested.

Education & Experience:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field; Master’s degree preferred but not required.

Experience: 10+ years progressive experience in property management or related industry to include specific experience in operational management, finance, cross-functional team leadership and strategic planning.
Physical Requirements:

The ideal candidate should have a background in residential property management or relevant real estate experience.

Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25/50 pounds occasionally.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Ability to travel between properties as required.

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