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.