Operations Specialist – Student Housing

Location: Dallas, TX | Travel: Extensive travel may be required

Ready to turn your student housing experience into a career with greater impact, visibility, and growth? This is your opportunity to expand your expertise and build your path toward operations leadership.

Position Overview

Are you an experienced student housing professional who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys developing teams, and knows how to strengthen property performance?

University Partners is seeking a versatile and solutions-focused Operations Specialist to support communities across our portfolio. Based in Dallas, this highly visible role provides hands-on operational leadership, training, and temporary onsite support to properties experiencing staffing transitions, performance challenges, or other business needs.

The Operations Specialist will partner with Community Managers, Regional Managers, and senior operations leaders to improve leasing, collections, resident satisfaction, team performance, and overall property operations. Because assignments will vary, this is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys travel, variety, problem-solving, and making an immediate impact.

What You’ll Do

Property Operations and Leadership

Depending on the needs of each assignment, responsibilities may include:

• Provide temporary onsite operational and management support to communities that are short-staffed, undergoing transitions, or in need of additional leadership.
• Assist the Community Manager with daily property operations, team oversight, and staff development.
• Step in to effectively manage the community during the Community Manager’s absence.
• Supervise onsite team members and reinforce company policies, procedures, and service standards.
• Partner with the Community Manager, Regional Manager, and operations leadership to address property needs and improve performance.
• Prepare and monitor operating budgets, occupancy reports, variance reports, and other property performance metrics.
• Manage competing priorities while maintaining a positive resident and team experience.
• Provide professional and responsive customer service to residents, prospects, vendors, and team members.

Leasing and Marketing

• Support and coach Leasing Consultants in achieving leasing and occupancy goals.
• Ensure all leasing activities comply with Fair Housing requirements and company standards.
• Review property performance and recommend strategies to increase traffic, leasing activity, and occupancy.
• Help develop and implement property-level marketing and outreach plans.
• Maintain accurate lease files, resident records, and property management system data.
• Support the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of the community’s social media presence.

Financial and Administrative Operations

• Post rental payments, prepare bank deposits, and support property accounting functions.
• Assist with month-end reporting and the reconciliation of accounts receivable.
• Monitor delinquency and implement consistent collection strategies for current and former residents.
• Process deposit accounting and refund requests in accordance with company procedures.
• Review property records for lease expirations, recurring payment end dates, delinquent balances, and other items requiring timely action.
• Manage returned-payment collection efforts and resident charges for damages, fees, fines, and miscellaneous expenses.
• Ensure resident financial communications and documentation are accurate, timely, and professional.

Training and Operational Resources

• Serve as a trusted resource for onsite teams regarding company policies, procedures, systems, and operational standards.
• Provide ongoing coaching and training to employees across multiple onsite positions.
• Assist with the development and distribution of operational resources, training materials, and standard procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and team performance across the portfolio.
• Conduct market research, operational analysis, and special projects as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Previous experience managing a community or property; student housing experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of leasing, collections, resident relations, property accounting, and onsite operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop property teams.
• Ability to review and understand operating statements, budgets, occupancy reports, and variance reports.
• Working knowledge of Fair Housing requirements and property management best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, procedures, and professional correspondence.
• Excellent judgment, organization, negotiation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to remain composed and make sound decisions during urgent or high-pressure situations.
• A firm, fair, consistent, and empathetic leadership style.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; Entrata experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and overtime based on property needs.
• Flexibility to travel extensively and adapt quickly to changing assignments.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred; or
• One to two years of directly related experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous Community Manager experience within the student housing industry is highly preferred.

Travel Requirements

This position is based in Dallas and may require extensive travel to support communities across the University Partners portfolio. The Operations Specialist must follow the company Travel Guide and Operations Specialist Travel Expense Guidelines.

Why Join University Partners?

This is more than a traditional property management position. It is an opportunity to expand your operational expertise, partner with leaders across the organization, develop onsite teams, and make a measurable difference at communities throughout our portfolio. If you are adaptable, collaborative, and energized by solving challenges, we would love to connect with you.