Chief Operating Officer - Real Estate, Asset Management, Property Management, Leasing Cincinnati, Ohio Location Requirement: This position is based full-time in Cincinnati. Candidates must either currently live in the Cincinnati area or be prepared to relocate to Cincinnati for the role. This is not a remote or fly-in/commuter position. We are representing a well-established private real estate investment firm seeking an experienced Chief Operations Officer to lead its asset & property management function. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for driving performance across a diversified commercial real estate portfolio. The successful candidate will lead the asset management team, work closely with acquisitions and finance, and take a highly active role in developing and executing strategies designed to maximize asset and portfolio-level value. The position is suited to an experienced real estate professional who combines strong investment judgment with hands-on operating experience and who is comfortable taking ownership of both strategy and execution.
Key Responsibilities
Asset & Portfolio Strategy:
Develop and execute strategic business plans across the portfolio, including asset positioning, capital investment, refinancing, redevelopment, hold/sell analysis and disposition strategy.
Drive initiatives focused on increasing NOI, occupancy, rental growth, operational efficiency and long-term asset value.
Identify opportunities to enhance value through redevelopment, repositioning, capital improvements, leasing initiatives, revenue enhancement and expense reduction.
Monitor market fundamentals, competitive positioning and broader real estate cycles to support investment and asset-level decision making.
Financial & Capital Management:
Lead the preparation and review of annual property business plans, operating budgets, capital budgets and ongoing forecasts.
Evaluate capital investment decisions and oversee major capital improvement and construction programs.
Maintain a strong focus on cash flow, investment returns and the long-term economic performance of each asset.
Participate in refinancing, disposition and other capital events across the portfolio.
Acquisitions & Investment Collaboration:
Partner with the acquisitions team throughout the investment process, providing asset management perspective on underwriting, due diligence, operating assumptions, risk and value-creation opportunities. Support transition planning following acquisitions and ensure business plans are effectively implemented following closing.
Property Operations & Leasing:
Provide senior-level oversight of internal and third-party property management and leasing teams.
Drive leasing strategy, tenant retention, occupancy and competitive positioning across the portfolio.
Regularly evaluate property operations, physical condition, vendor performance, capital requirements and leasing execution.
Maintain an active presence across the portfolio through property visits and performance reviews.
Leadership & Reporting:
Lead and develop the asset and property management teams, establishing clear expectations, performance standards and operating best practices.
Provide senior leadership with clear and actionable reporting on property performance, budgets, business plans, market conditions and value-creation initiatives.
Contribute to executive-level portfolio and investment discussions and communicate recommendations with confidence and supporting analysis.
Participate in recruitment, team development, performance management and succession planning within the asset management function.
Experience & Background:
We are looking for an established commercial real estate asset management leader with approximately 15+ years of relevant experience, ideally gained across multiple markets and real estate cycles.
Candidates should bring:
Significant hands-on commercial real estate asset management experience.
A demonstrable track record of improving asset performance and maximizing investment returns.
Experience developing and executing asset-level business plans.
Strong experience with budgeting, forecasting, capital planning and financial analysis.
Experience with refinancing, dispositions and major capital events.
Exposure to value-add, redevelopment or repositioning strategies.
Experience overseeing third-party property management and leasing providers.
Strong understanding of leasing strategy, rental positioning, operating performance and capital investment decisions.
Experience managing and developing asset management and/or property management professionals.
Strong commercial judgment and the ability to move comfortably between high-level portfolio strategy and detailed asset-level execution.
Excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills.
Strong Excel capabilities and familiarity with real estate management platforms such as Yardi, MRI or comparable systems.
Willingness to travel to assets as required.
Experience across industrial, retail and/or office real estate would be beneficial, although broader commercial real estate experience will also be considered.
The Opportunity:
This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role within an established real estate investment platform and have meaningful influence over portfolio strategy, investment performance and the continued development of the asset management function. The position offers significant autonomy and requires someone who is proactive, commercially minded and comfortable making decisions rather than simply reporting on asset performance. Please note again that this role is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Candidates who are not currently local must be willing to relocate to Cincinnati on a full-time basis.
