Title: Senior Operations Manager, South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority
Type: (Hybrid Remote)
Location: Greater Chicago Area
The South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority (Land Bank) is Illinois’ oldest and fastest growing land bank. In partnership with the Southland Development Authority (SDA), the Land Bank continues to grow a consistent pipeline of property redevelopment while supporting nascent large-scale community and economic development projects to the benefit of residents and businesses in Chicago’s South Suburbs.
Submit Cover Letter and Resume to: anissa.smith@southlanddevelopment.org by no later than Sep 5, 2025
We are seeking a responsible, very organized, experienced professional with a history of accomplishment in government or not-for-profit administration for the role of Senior Operations Manager. The position oversees day-to-day real estate operations and manages an organization of consultants, contractors, and several dedicated staff. The position’s chief function is to oversee the Land Bank’s property inventory, from acquisition and disposition to maintenance and security. The Senior Operations Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and works in close coordination with the Land Bank’s Program Director, as part of the leadership team, to implement our evolving rehab program and other nascent initiatives. As the Land Bank continues to grow, the Senior Operations Manager has substantial opportunity for advancement within the organizational structure. This position is mostly remote on a day-to-day basis but requires regular in-person attendance at meetings, site visits, municipal hearings, and other Land Bank functions in the Chicago Southland.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- Extremely organized and detail-oriented
- Experience managing contractors and professional service providers with a high degree of courtesy and professionalism
- Familiarity with Chicago’s South Suburban communities
- History of working with local government
- Understanding of the principles of real estate and housing development
- Comfort working in an entrepreneurial, asynchronous work environment
- Independent worker, capable of making one’s own decisions with sound judgment
- Proactive in communication with team members
- Flexible in day-to-day responsibilities and eager to learn
- Committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion
KEY FUNCTIONS:
- Work closely with legal team to oversee property acquisition, abandonment filings, and sale of residential real estate
- Manage contracts, billing, and invoicing with vendors and partners who provide realty services, property management, and insurance
- Oversee all real estate transactions, managing outside vendors and contracted real estate professionals throughout the process of acquisition and disposition
- Manage and supervise regular property maintenance, mowing, board-up, and security, overseeing a team of contractors and vendors
- Supervise continued improvement and updates to the Land Bank’s internal database, the Property Profile System, for quality control and efficiency
- Provide administrative oversight for billing, accounts payable, and contracts
- Other duties as assigned
DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated achievement and work history in an administrative capacity in urban planning, government, community development, housing, or public administration - Matriculated graduate coursework in real estate, public administration, construction management, urban planning, public policy, or a related scholarship may substitute for work experience up to two (2) years
- Familiarity with the greater Chicagoland area
- Experience supervising contractors and vendors is highly desirable
TO APPLY:
Submit Cover Letter and Resume to: anissa.smith@southlanddevelopment.org by no later than Sep 5, 2025