Gilbane Development Company is looking for a Special Projects Lead, a strategic leadership role responsible for driving high-impact initiatives across the P3 student housing portfolio. This position oversees new business transitions, operational enhancements, training programs, Project supervision and support, and cross-functional projects that support growth, efficiency, and excellence in service delivery. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with deep industry knowledge, exceptional project management skills, and a passion for innovation in student housing operations.

New Business Transitions

• Lead the onboarding and integration of newly acquired or developed student housing properties.
• Develop and execute transition plans including staffing, systems implementation, vendor coordination, and resident communications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between leadership, property teams, and campus and ownership groups during transitions.
• Work with facilities vendors to coordinate contracts and obtain all required paperwork to finalize delivery partner agreements.
• Monitor the effectiveness of facilities operations and ensure cleanliness, safety, and operational policies and procedures are meeting all standards and stated goals and objectives.
• Track overall effectiveness of resident work order process; Facilitate efficient processing and completion of work orders as necessary.
• Monitor and report on the administration and progress of ongoing leasing and marketing efforts to ensure alignment to overall occupancy and financial goals.
• Assist in the coordination of hiring and training site employees and assist in the implementation of new employee training sessions.

Operational Oversight & Strategic Projects

• Identify and implement operational improvements across the portfolio to enhance performance, resident satisfaction, and cost efficiency.
• Act as the liaison for all Property Management software including RealPage and any CMMS systems utilized by operations and in coordination with all Gilbane Network System teams.
• Coordinate, lead and manage special projects such as technology rollouts, sustainability initiatives, and capital planning support.
• Collaborate with regional and site-level teams to ensure alignment with corporate goals and compliance standards.
• Serve as the on‑site Operations Director during periods when the position is vacant, which may include extended travel as required.

Training & Development

• Design and deliver training programs for property operations staff focused on operational excellence, customer service, and compliance.
• Support the development of SOPs and best practices for property operations, leasing, maintenance, and resident engagement.
• Partner with HR and Learning & Development teams to assess training needs and measure effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with departments including Marketing, Finance, IT, and Legal to ensure cohesive execution of strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across teams to drive project success and resolve operational challenges.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Assist in the establishment of KPIs and metrics to track progress of special projects and operational initiatives.
• Provide regular updates and executive-level reporting on project status, risks, and outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Hospitality, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in student housing, multifamily, or property management, with at least 3 years in a senior or corporate-level role.
• Experience with acquisitions, development, or repositioning of student housing assets.
• Proven success in managing complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of property operations, leasing strategies, and resident experience.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and property management software (e.g., Yardi, Entrata).
• Ability to travel as needed to support property transitions and training initiatives.

This position can be performed remotely or from any U.S. location where Gilbane has an office. Salary to be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience of the applicant, as well as the internal equity and alignment with the team.

The pay ranges from $95,200.00 - $132,200.00 plus benefits and retirement program.

Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit-sharing/401k plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.

Gilbane is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations: Gilbane does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Gilbane employee. Gilbane will not pay fees to any third party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Gilbane and will be processed accordingly.