Job Description

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, District Operations Director - Single Family Homes.

District Operations Director - Indianapolis, IN (on-site)

Key Responsibilities
Operations & Property Management
* Oversee day-to-day operations across Chicago, Indianapolis, and Ohio, ensuring consistent execution of company procedures and a high-quality resident experience.
* Provide strategic oversight of property management functions, including service delivery, maintenance, renewals, and collections, with a focus on KPI achievement and cost control.
* Navigate complex municipal environments, especially in Chicago, by building strong relationships with housing authorities and local agencies to ensure compliance and operational fluidity.
* Lead vendor management and service team performance, ensuring alignment with company standards, cost efficiency, and resident satisfaction.
* Conduct regular market visits and inspections to assess operational health, enforce standards, and identify opportunities for improvement.
* Implement frameworks for emergency response, business continuity, and risk mitigation across all markets.

Resident Experience
* Drive a resident-first culture by ensuring seamless onboarding, proactive communication, and responsive issue resolution across all touchpoints.
* Leverage resident feedback and satisfaction data to evolve service offerings, improve retention, and build long-term loyalty.
* Partner with leasing teams to monitor inventory, pricing, and occupancy trends, ensuring alignment with market demand and performance goals.
* Reinforce tenant policies and procedures while maintaining a positive, service-oriented relationship with residents.

Financial Management
* Lead the development and execution of annual operating budgets across assigned markets, with a focus on service cost management and NOI optimization.
* Oversee accounts receivable, rent collection, and resolution of arrears, ensuring minimal variance and strong financial performance.
* Review financial reports regularly to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, implementing corrective actions as needed.
* Contribute to long-term planning and investment prioritization in alignment with the client's growth strategy.

Team & Talent Oversight
* Manage two Area Directors and a regional team of 50-60 employees, ensuring clear accountability, performance consistency, and adherence to company policies.
* Identify workload efficiencies and talent gaps, optimizing team structure and resource allocation across markets.
* Lead workforce planning efforts in partnership with HR and third-party recruiters to support hiring, onboarding, and retention.

Strategic Partnerships & Compliance
* Maintain active real estate licensure and ensure compliance with state-specific laws and regulations across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
* Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to align operations with broader strategic goals and regulatory requirements.

Professional Experience/Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring the following experience:
* 10-15+ years of senior-level operational leadership within residential real estate, property management, or single-family rental (SFR) environments, overseeing large-scale, multi-market portfolios with complex regulatory and municipal dynamics.
* Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary regional teams across leasing, service, field operations, and resident experience, driving performance, accountability, and cultural alignment across diverse geographies.
* Strong financial oversight and budgeting expertise, with a track record of managing service-related costs, optimizing NOI, and delivering consistent results across KPIs such as collections, renewals, and retention.
* Experience navigating multi-state real estate laws and compliance, ideally with licensure in Illinois, Indiana, or Ohio, and a deep understanding of municipal engagement, housing authorities, and public-sector coordination.
* Demonstrated success leading through organizational change, including assessing team dynamics, identifying talent gaps, and building bench strength to support long-term growth and operational resilience.
* Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, manage conflict, and influence cross-functional teams, third-party vendors, and internal stakeholders.
* Inspirational, low-ego leadership style that fosters collaboration, encourages ownership, and leads with empathy, structure, and clarity.
* Comfortable operating in high-visibility, high-accountability environments, with a focus on resident satisfaction, team development, and community engagement.
* Strong understanding of strategic planning and operational execution, with the ability to translate corporate goals into market-level performance and team alignment.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and property management platforms, including YARDI, with a commitment to data accuracy, reporting integrity, and system compliance