Community Relations Director

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As a leading property manager of single-family rental homes nationwide, we take great pride in creating an enjoyable living experience for our residents – and an empowering, people-first culture for our team members. That’s why, for two years in a row, our employees have voted Progress a certified Great Place to Work®.

Why join Progress?

As the demand for professionally managed rental homes continues to grow, so do the opportunities at Progress. We’re looking for passionate professionals who are ready to grow with us, make a difference and be part of something meaningful.

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JOB SUMMARY

The Community Relations Director serves as a key leader within the Market Services team and plays a critical role in shaping and executing the company’s strategic priorities across community engagement, public-private partnerships, and cross-functional operational initiatives. This highly visible position is responsible for leading enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen relationships with housing authorities, government and municipal agencies, HOAs, and nonprofit partners while enhancing our presence and impact within local communities. 

This role reports to the Divisional Vice President and maintains a matrix relationship with the Vice President of Government Affairs. The Director will serve as a strategic advisor and cross-functional liaison, ensuring alignment between corporate objectives and local market needs across housing, compliance, customer service, and community development efforts. This role blends strategic vision with operational execution, directly impacting resident satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and community reputation. 

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead cross-departmental strategic initiatives in collaboration among Market Services, Affordable Housing, Leasing/Onboarding, Legal, Government Affairs, Customer Care, Marketing, Construction and Maintenance Services, Compliance and Communication teams. 
• Lead workforce housing and community development initiatives in partnership with local agencies, schools, workforce boards, first responders, and nonprofit organizations. 
• Develop and lead at team of Community Engagement Managers across multiple markets.
• Serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership on housing-related trends, opportunities, and risks affecting portfolio performance. 
• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with housing authorities, municipal leaders, law enforcement, HOAs, and third-party agencies to advance business objectives. 
• Identify opportunities for local sponsorships, civic engagement, and brand presence to strengthen community ties.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with affordable housing and HOA regulations, including Housing Choice and annual certifications. 
• Represent the organization at industry events, policy discussions, housing summits, and public forums. 
• Oversee case management escalations and ensure timely, empathetic resolution of complex resident concerns. 
• Drive efficiency in application workflows, leasing approvals, and onboarding processes in collaboration with internal teams and HOA boards. 
• Design and implement strategies to improve customer experience, retention, and operational compliance. 
• Track and report on engagement metrics, community impact stories, and success indicators to provide actionable insights and inform strategic planning. 
• Display a strong understanding of Progress Residential lease application, leasing processes, lease agreement and company policies and procedures, while accurately providing answers and explanations to applicants/new residents in a user-friendly manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to regulations such as the Fair Housing Act.
• Carry out other duties as assigned that are in the best interests of the customers and the company.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business, or related field preferred
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel up to 60% as needed
• Real Estate License (must be obtained within 90 days of hire, if not currently held)
• 7+ years of previous property management experience, affordable housing, government relations, or strategic project leadership
• 5+ years of supervisory experience across multiple markets
• Proven ability to lead high-impact initiatives across multiple teams and stakeholder groups
• Strong understanding of affordable housing programs, HOA governance, and public-private partnerships
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and cultural competency
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Yardi Voyager and Salesforce a plus

What you can expect from us:

• Competitive Compensation - Including performance-based bonuses that reward your contributions.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package - Medical, dental, vision, parental leave, 401(k) with company match and more.

• Generous Time Off – Enjoy PTO based on tenure, 13 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday.

• Ongoing Learning and Development - Quarterly summits, town hall meetings and continuous training to support your professional growth.

• A Culture that Celebrates You - We believe in collaboration, recognition and having fun while doing important work.

This summary is not an all-inclusive description of job duties. Other job duties and responsibilities may also be assigned by the incumbent’s supervisor at any time based upon Company need.

Employment with Progress Residential is conditional on a satisfactory background and drug screen.

Progress Residential is a proud Equal Opportunity employer, m/f/d/v.

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