Director of Operations
Kaftan Communities | Southfield, MI | Full-Time
Salary Range: $120,000 to $150,000
About the Opportunity:
Kaftan Communities is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Operations to lead daily property management operations across our Metro Detroit portfolio. Reporting to the President, this role blends strategic partnership with operational leadership—driving performance, developing people, and delivering the superior customer experience our communities are known for.
If you are a collaborative leader with strong business and financial acumen, a talent for process optimization, and a genuine commitment to both team members and customers, we want to talk to you.
Who We are Looking For:
- A Communicative Collaborator. You lead with responsiveness and accessibility, work effectively across departments, and respectfully challenge ideas to drive better outcomes.
- Accountable. You take ownership, lead by example, and cultivate a culture where acknowledging and learning from mistakes fuels growth. You verify, follow through, and hold yourself and your team to established processes.
- A Forward-Thinking Leader. You act decisively, delegate effectively, and employ proactive strategies to keep the department aligned with market dynamics.
- A Hands-On Leader. You stay actively involved in day-to-day operations, balancing direct engagement with empowering your team—providing both guidance and autonomy.
- Relational. You treat team members and customers with empathy and respect, knowing that happy employees create happy customers.
- A Dedicated Problem Solver. You seek first to understand, leverage your team's expertise, and follow through on identified opportunities for improvement.
- A Proactive Prioritizer. You manage your time with structure and consistency, handle multiple priorities with ease, and are always prepared.
What You'll Do:
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a strategic partner to the President, providing insights informed by operations and key metrics
- Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop and achieve operational budget objectives
- Engage legal counsel to ensure compliance with real estate law
- Drive revenue targets through analysis and strategic initiatives, and control expenses through resource monitoring and efficient bidding
Team Development
- Build a strong regional team through strategic recruitment and partnership with an external HR firm
- Oversee the creation and implementation of training protocols that support team growth
- Develop managers into exceptional leaders through tailored hard- and soft-skill development
Operational Excellence
- Direct daily property management operations, ensuring optimal team performance through hands-on coaching and mentoring
- Develop a deep understanding of existing processes, reinforce their importance, and ensure consistent adherence
- Identify and pursue process improvement opportunities, leveraging current team expertise
- Champion the customer service experience, setting high standards for responsiveness, approachability, and genuine care
- Maintain clear expectations and transparent communication to keep teams aligned with goals
- Manage records to support an organized, efficient documentation system
Qualifications
Required
- 5+ years of operations leadership experience at the director level or above
- Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Economics, or a related field
- Demonstrated business and financial acumen
Preferred
- 10+ years of leadership experience (any level)
- Real estate or property management experience
- Marketing oversight experience
- Customer service background
Desired
- Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) experience
About Kaftan Communities
Kaftan Communities is a family-owned and operated property management company serving Metro Detroit since 1965. As a professional property management and construction firm, we are guided by our core values and dedicated to providing superior living experiences.
