Special Projects Lead; REMOTE

Overview

Gilbane Development Company is looking for a Special Projects Lead
, a strategic leadership role responsible for driving high-impact initiatives across the P3 student housing portfolio. This position oversees new business transitions, operational enhancements, training programs, project supervision and support, and cross-functional projects that support growth, efficiency, and excellence in service delivery. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with deep industry knowledge, exceptional project management skills, and a passion for innovation in student housing operations.

• New Business Transitions
• Lead the onboarding and integration of newly acquired or developed student housing properties.
• Develop and execute transition plans including staffing, systems implementation, vendor coordination, and resident communications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between leadership, property teams, and campus and ownership groups during transitions.
• Work with facilities vendors to coordinate contracts and obtain all required paperwork to finalize delivery partner agreements.
• Monitor the effectiveness of facilities operations and ensure cleanliness, safety, and operational policies and procedures are meeting all standards and stated goals and objectives.
• Track overall effectiveness of resident work order process;
  Facilitate efficient processing and completion of work orders as necessary.
• Monitor and report on the administration and progress of ongoing leasing and marketing efforts to ensure alignment to overall occupancy and financial goals.
• Assist in the coordination of hiring and training site employees and assist in the implementation of new employee training sessions.
• Operational Oversight & Strategic Projects
• Identify and implement operational improvements across the portfolio to enhance performance, resident satisfaction, and cost efficiency.
• Act as the liaison for all Property Management software including Real Page and any CMMS systems utilized by operations and in coordination with all Gilbane Network System teams.
• Coordinate, lead and manage special projects such as technology rollouts, sustainability initiatives, and capital planning support.
• Collaborate with regional and site-level teams to ensure alignment with corporate goals and compliance standards.
• Serve as the on-site Operations Director during periods when the position is vacant, which may include extended travel as required.
• Training & Development
• Design and deliver training programs for property operations staff focused on operational excellence, customer service, and compliance.
• Support the development of SOPs and best practices for property operations, leasing, maintenance, and resident engagement.
• Partner with HR and Learning & Development teams to assess training needs and measure effectiveness.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with departments including Marketing, Finance, IT, and Legal to ensure cohesive execution of strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination across teams to drive project success and resolve operational challenges.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting
• Assist in the establishment of KPIs and metrics to track progress of special projects and operational initiatives.
• Provide regular updates and executive-level reporting on project status, risks, and outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Hospitality, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in student housing, multifamily, or property management, with at least 3 years in a senior or corporate-level role.
• Experience with acquisitions, development, or repositioning of student housing assets.
• Proven success in managing complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of property operations, leasing strategies, and resident experience.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and property management software (e.g., Yardi, Entrata).
• Ability to travel as needed to support property transitions and training initiatives.

This position can be performed remotely or from any U.S. location where Gilbane…