Lease-Up Service Manager

At Van Metre, we believe that each employee contributes directly to our growth, success and culture, and we are seeking a candidate who loves to challenge themselves and work with others to fulfill this role. Van Metre has a Lease-Up Service Manager position available at Sablemill Apartments in Charlotte, NC!

Position Summary

The Lease-Up Service Manager will lead maintenance and service operations for Sablemill, a new 281-unit Class A multifamily community, from construction through lease-up, stabilization, and ongoing operations. This hands-on leader will prepare the community for opening, oversee apartment and building turnover, coordinate warranty and punch-list work, and build a strong service team.

This is an opportunity to help launch a brand-new Class A community, build a service team from the ground up, and play a key role in creating the resident experience from day one. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who enjoys solving problems, building teams, working across departments, and taking ownership in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Phase 1: Pre-Opening and Construction Turnover

• Partner with the Property Manager, Construction, Development, and Facilities leadership to prepare apartments, amenities, common areas, and building systems for opening.
• Participate in unit, building, and amenity walks; track punch-list items and confirm work is complete before residents move in.
• Coordinate warranty work, contractor follow-up, and building-system startup.
• Establish preventive maintenance schedules, inventory controls, safety practices, and service standards for the community.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and lead service team members as staffing is added throughout the lease-up.

Phase 2: Lease-Up and Occupancy Ramp

• Lead daily maintenance operations during apartment deliveries, lease-up, and resident move-ins.
• Manage work orders, move-in inspections, apartment readiness, warranty items, and emergency service needs.
• Partner with the Property Manager and leasing team to support upcoming move-ins, tour readiness, and resident satisfaction.
• Maintain curb appeal and ensure apartments, amenities, common areas, and service spaces are clean, safe, and ready.
• Manage service vendors and contractors and ensure work is completed safely, correctly, and on time.
• Monitor maintenance expenses, inventory, and warranty responsibilities.
• Participate in the on-call rotation and respond to emergencies as needed.

Phase 3: Stabilization and Ongoing Operations

• Lead preventive maintenance, apartment turns, inspections, vendor management, and day-to-day service operations.
• Coach and develop a service team focused on quality, accountability, and resident service.
• Partner with the Property Manager on maintenance budgeting, staffing, planning, and long-term property needs.
• Maintain required equipment, warranty, inspection, safety, and service records.
• Find practical ways to improve efficiency, reliability, and the resident experience.

Qualifications

• Experience with a new-construction multifamily community, lease-up, major renovation, acquisition, or property transition is required.
• Previous multifamily maintenance leadership experience as a Service Manager or Maintenance Supervisor.
• Strong knowledge of apartment maintenance, unit turns, preventive maintenance, building systems, safety practices, and work-order management.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and holding a service team accountable.
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, vendor-management, and communication skills, with the ability to prioritize work and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing contractors, service vendors, inventory, and maintenance expenses.
• Knowledge of Yardi, HappyCo, or a similar property-management and work-order system.
• EPA and CPO certifications required (or the ability to obtain required certifications).
• Valid driver’s license and availability to participate in an on-call rotation.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular walking and standing throughout the community; climbing stairs, ladders, and lifts; bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling; and working in apartments, mechanical rooms, rooftops, active construction areas, and indoor and outdoor environments. The Service Manager must be able to operate maintenance tools and equipment and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds, using appropriate equipment or team assistance when needed.

Schedule and On-Call Requirements

The standard schedule is generally Monday through Friday during normal property operating hours. Flexibility is required during construction turnover, apartment deliveries, resident move-ins, inspections, and emergencies. This position participates in the rotating 24/7 on-call schedule and may occasionally work evenings or weekends, particularly during opening and peak lease-up periods.

Compensation and Benefits information

Van Metre offers excellent benefits, and a work environment that fosters and rewards excellence. We also promote work/life balance, including a robust Employee Wellness Program.  We encourage employees to make full use of vacation and other company-paid leave to refresh their bodies and minds.

• Salary: $68,000-$76,900 per year (Pay is commensurate with experience, education, training, and skills)
• Lease-Up Bonus Potential: $15,000 (If lease up targets are met)
• Once stabilized, Annual Bonus Potential 
• Paid Time Off: 11 paid holidays; 10 vacation days, 10 sick days, Two Volunteer Days off, Two Personal Days, Winter Break, Day off for Annual Physical, Day off for your Birthday; comprehensive parental and bonding leave
• Retirement Planning: Company Matched 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan; access to retirement planning coaches
• Wellness: Annual Wellness Reimbursement of up to $900
• Professional Development: tuition reimbursement; company paid certifications, memberships, and licensures; mentoring programs; growth paths; regular performance evaluations and training opportunities
• Discounts: Rental and Van Metre Home purchase discounts; employee discount through Walker Title Company

Van Metre Core Values

Integrity; Ownership; Respect and Dignity; Diversity and Inclusion; Teamwork; Community; Work/Life Balance                                                          

Van Metre Mission Statement

The mission of Van Metre Companies is to build and continually improve upon the storied reputation, earned over the years since the Company’s founding in 1955, of providing top quality homes, investment properties and services to our customers and clients. The Company’s emphasis on integrity, professionalism and philanthropy ingrained by our founder Albert G. Van Metre, Sr. has garnered trust and respect in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond. It is critical to our future that we maintain that reputation and assure that Van Metre Companies continues to excel in real estate development and construction and in the management of apartment, retail and office investment properties, as well as in the provision of mortgage and related services. It is the task of our dedicated, energetic, and involved professionals to advance our ability to set the benchmark for luxury living and refined commercial development. The capstone of our mission is to make the “Van Metre” signature an icon for elegant residential communities, and industry leading condominium and apartment communities, as well as Class A neighborhood retail centers and office developments.