Assistant Director of Operations

Job Location:

University Center - Chicago, IL

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $80000.00 - $90000.00 Salary/year

$2,500 sign-on bonus

University Center is a unique 1700+ bed multi-use student housing complex located in the heart of downtown with academic year residents from 5 master leased universities along with individual leasing, a full-service on-site dining center and market, as well as retail tenants. During the summer, the building transforms into a short-term stay and hoteling facility for interns, groups, corporate clients, and more.

With 150+ staff and several departments, University Center is truly a unique and rewarding experience with many areas to learn and grow!

The Assistant Director of Operations plays a key leadership role at University Center, overseeing a range of financial, operational, and leasing tasks. In addition to financial management which includes monthly close activities, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance, this position will also be responsible for general strategy, leasing, marketing, and more. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, proactive leader who has excellent verbal and written communication capabilities, the ability to work through complex challenges, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and enjoys collaborating across departments.

• In depth knowledge of property management operations and financial concepts such as: budgeting, revenue, NOI, leasing, and compliance.
• Knowledgeable in property management software and/or experience in financial management within student or multi-family housing. Entrata experience preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced capabilities utilizing Microsoft Excel to build/maintain workbooks used to analyze, audit, and/or present financial data.
• A self-starter who is highly organized and motivated, can take on responsibilities and initiate projects while working independently, as well as part of a large team.
• Demonstrates strong customer service and relationship management skills with a variety of clients, vendors, and partners.
• Flexible and capable of prioritizing tasks when working in a busy and changing environment.

• Own and execute all accounting month-end activities, including pre-close and close reports, reconciliations, accruals, reclasses, capital reporting, variance analysis, and cash forecasting. Coordinate with corporate accounting to ensure all month-end activities are completed by the monthly deadlines.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance on an ongoing basis, providing insights and recommending actions to meet or exceed financial goals. Coordinate with department heads monthly, to maintain their annual budgets and spending.
• Review and approve invoices and property credit card transactions.
• Interface with senior executives and ownership on a regular basis. Prepare professional, articulate executive summaries and other communications to ownership as needed.
• Lead the annual budget preparation process, including operating expenses, capital projects, five-year capital planning, and other advanced accounting requirements.
• Support and lead strategic initiatives that drive University Center’s long-term financial health, operational efficiency, and overall property performance through collaboration with senior leadership and department heads.
• Maintain and enhance key financial Excel workbooks and models (Master Lease Billing, Star Rez Income, Retail NNN, etc.).
• Review all vendor contracts to ensure compliance with Peak Made and University Center standards. Coordinate with department heads to ensure vendor services are aligned with contracts, budgets, and expected timelines.
• Coordinate with Housing and Operations teams to administer all master leases, including drafting leases, reviewing leases, entering leases in Entrata, issuing invoices/notices, and maintaining master lease records.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to review and update individual and master lease agreements annually.
• Maintain insurance and COI compliance for all vendors, tenants, and residents.
• Support all audit and compliance requirements with accurate documentation and timely responses.
• Develop the…