Chief Real Estate Management Officer

RETS Associates, on behalf of its client, an impact-driven, vertically integrated real estate investment firm, is conducting a search for a Chief Real Estate Management Officer (CREO) to oversee its $5.5B AUM portfolio of 26,000+ units owned and under development. Location-Jacksonville, FL (preferred) | Atlanta, Houston, or Dallas considered.

This is a true enterprise leadership role for a multifamily executive who combines portfolio-level ownership, investment acumen, and operational depth across asset management, development, acquisitions, and property management.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting directly to the CEO, the CREO will serve as the owner's representative across the platform, with full accountability for portfolio performance, investment execution, and operational alignment.

This leader will drive strategy while remaining deeply engaged in execution-ensuring the business plan is realized across all assets and that capital is deployed and managed effectively. The role oversees a 65+ person team and sits at the intersection of investments, development, construction, and operations.

The ideal candidate is decisive, metrics-driven, and highly execution-oriented, with the ability to lead at scale while maintaining close visibility into asset-level performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Portfolio & Asset Management Leadership

• Own performance of the full portfolio, ensuring alignment with underwriting, business plans, and return targets
  
  
• Drive NOI growth through revenue optimization, expense management, and operational efficiency
  
  
• Identify and execute turnaround strategies for underperforming assets
  
  
• Lead valuation processes (BOVs, NAV) and make hold/sell/refinance recommendations
  
  
• Oversee property management strategy and ensure alignment with ownership objectives
  
  
• Establish and maintain best-in-class reporting, including executive-level performance metrics and impact reporting

• Lead and develop a 65+ person team, including 3 direct reports
  
  
• Build a high-performance culture across asset management and operations
  
  
• Drive alignment across investments, development, construction, and property management
  
  
• Establish clear reporting cadence, including weekly CEO updates
  
  
• Attract, develop, and retain talent aligned with the firm's mission and values

• Partner with investment teams on underwriting, diligence, and investment committee materials
  
  
• Review and guide underwriting assumptions and capital deployment decisions
  
  
• Support growth initiatives and scalability of the platform
  
  
• Collaborate with capital markets and finance on structuring and execution

• Oversee portfolio-level capital planning and liquidity in partnership with treasury
  
  
• Ensure compliance with loan documents, JV agreements, and regulatory requirements
  
  
• Manage construction draws, reserves, and lender relationships
  
  
• Identify and mitigate portfolio-level risks

• 15-25 years of institutional multifamily experience across the full investment lifecycle
  
  
• Direct accountability for a $3B+ residential portfolio
  
  
• Proven leadership of 10,000+ units as an owner/operator
  
  
• Deep expertise across:
  
  
• Asset & portfolio management
  
  
• Property management & operations
  
  
• Acquisitions and underwriting
  
  
• Development / construction execution
  
  
• Strong capital markets and financing experience preferred
  
  
• Experience with manufactured housing or RV platforms is a plus
  
  
• Willingness to travel ~30%

• Ownership mindset with strong accountability for outcomes
  
  
• Execution-focused, with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically
  
  
• Servant leadership approach-authentic, humble, and team-oriented
  
  
• Thrives in a metrics-driven, high-performance environment
  
  
• Demonstrates adaptability, urgency, and a solutions-oriented mindset
  
  
• Motivated by impact-delivering results for residents, investors, and communities