Leasing Department Lead
Uptown Properties | Portland, Oregon
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Location: In-Office, Portland, OR
Reports To: Operations Manager
About the Position
Uptown Properties is seeking an experienced, people-focused Leasing Department Lead to lead, develop, and elevate our Leasing Department. This is a leadership position focused on building a high-performing team, developing employees, improving department operations, and driving measurable results.
We're looking for someone who enjoys coaching people, creating effective systems, analyzing performance, and finding better ways to operate. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who takes ownership of department outcomes, empowers employees to solve problems, and approaches challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Leasing Department Lead works closely with leadership to establish department goals, evaluate performance, and develop strategies for continuous improvement and growth.
This is primarily a people management and department leadership role, rather than a traditional leasing agent or property management position.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Employee Development
- Lead, coach, and develop leasing agents, support staff, and onsite managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee onboarding and training for all new Leasing Department employees, ensuring they have the skills, knowledge, and resources to succeed.
- Conduct regular team meetings, individual coaching sessions, and performance evaluations to support employee growth and accountability.
- Partner with the Operations Manager on hiring, staffing needs, employee development, and department performance.
Department Performance & KPI Management
- Monitor and evaluate department health using KPIs, AppFolio reporting, and other operational data.
- Prepare and present weekly department performance reports highlighting trends, challenges, opportunities, and recommended solutions.
- Establish clear performance expectations, track individual and team results, and implement coaching or action plans as needed.
- Maintain accountability for department leasing performance, including vacancy timelines, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Strategic Planning & Department Growth
- Collaborate directly with the Operations Manager to establish department priorities, goals, and growth strategies.
- Develop and execute quarterly strategic plans focused on employee development, operational improvements, and department performance.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, technology, staffing, and training to support company growth.
- Track progress toward strategic goals and implement measurable improvements.
Employee Guidance & Escalation Support
- Serve as the primary internal resource for employees seeking guidance on complex tenant, applicant, owner, or property-related issues.
- Coach and empower employees to resolve challenges independently while providing leadership support when necessary.
- Directly assist with escalated matters when appropriate, collaborating with the Operations Manager on significant concerns.
- Use recurring issues as opportunities to improve training, procedures, and team performance.
Department Operations & Process Improvement
- Oversee department workflows, service standards, and compliance with company policies and applicable leasing regulations.
- Develop, document, and continuously improve department procedures, training resources, and operational systems.
- Ensure effective use of AppFolio, LeadSimple, Tenant Turner, and other department technologies.
- Collaborate with other departments to improve communication, efficiency, and the overall customer experience.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- At least 2 years of experience in residential leasing, property management, or a related field.
- Previous experience supervising, training, coaching, or leading employees.
- Strong people management skills with the ability to develop employees and hold teams accountable.
- Experience analyzing performance metrics, preparing reports, and using data to drive improvement.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
- Confidence handling difficult conversations and providing constructive feedback.
- Working knowledge of residential leasing processes and fair housing requirements.
- Proficiency with technology, business software, and reporting tools.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing a leasing or property management team.
- Familiarity with AppFolio, LeadSimple, and Tenant Turner.
- Experience developing employee onboarding programs and training materials.
- Experience creating KPI dashboards, department scorecards, or operational reports.
- Experience with strategic planning, process improvement, and department growth.
- Knowledge of the Portland metropolitan residential rental market.
You'll Be a Great Fit If You...
- Love developing people. You find satisfaction in helping employees build skills, confidence, and independence.
- Lead through coaching, not micromanagement. You establish expectations, provide support, and trust your team to take ownership.
- Think strategically. You can evaluate where a department is today, identify where it needs to go, and build a plan to get there.
- Use data to make decisions. You understand that KPIs tell a story and know how to turn that information into meaningful improvements.
- Take ownership. You don't wait for someone else to identify or solve problems.
- Communicate clearly. You can deliver feedback, navigate difficult conversations, and build strong working relationships.
- Believe in continuous improvement. You're always looking for opportunities to strengthen people, processes, and results.
- Value teamwork. You understand that department success depends on collaboration, accountability, and mutual respect.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this position means building a Leasing Department that operates efficiently, consistently, and with increasing independence.
You'll be expected to:
- Develop well-trained, confident employees who consistently meet performance expectations.
- Maintain a structured and effective onboarding program for new team members.
- Deliver accurate weekly department performance reports with meaningful insights and action plans.
- Create and execute quarterly strategic improvement plans that produce measurable results.
- Improve department processes, communication, and overall efficiency.
- Maintain strong leasing performance and customer service standards.
- Build a department culture centered on accountability, collaboration, resourcefulness, and professional growth.
Why Uptown Properties?
At Uptown Properties, we believe great leadership is about more than managing tasks. It's about developing people, building effective systems, and creating an environment where employees can succeed.
Our four core values guide everything we do:
Clear: We communicate openly, establish expectations, and create clarity for our employees and customers.
Level Up Daily: We believe in continuous learning, improvement, and professional growth.
Own the Outcome: We take responsibility, follow through, and focus on solutions rather than excuses.
Valuable: We strive to create meaningful value for our customers, coworkers, and company.
We also embrace the philosophy of Unreasonable Hospitality, recognizing that thoughtful service, meaningful relationships, and attention to the human experience can make an extraordinary difference.
We're looking for a leader who shares these values and is excited about developing a strong team, improving department performance, and contributing to the continued growth of Uptown Properties.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary with performance-based bonus opportunities
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Health benefits
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Supportive, collaborative company culture
- Opportunities for continued professional and leadership growth
Ready to lead, develop, and make an impact?
If you're passionate about people, performance, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to join the Uptown Properties leadership team!