Copaken Brooks, LLC is a full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Kansas City and serving the Midwest. The company’s full suite of services includes investment acquisition and sales, tenant representation and HQ relocations, property management, asset management, development, owner’s representation, and leasing (office, retail, medical, industrial, and underground). We have over 100 years of proven experience in playing a major role in where millions of people go to work, shop, and live.
Copaken Brooks is the property management firm for the CBDI Portfolio, which includes 30 buildings and the Downtown Underground facility. The portfolio includes Cambridge Business Park, Downtown Business Park, and Downtown Underground, an underground warehouse and self-storage complex located below Downtown Business Park. Within Downtown Underground, Smart Storage KC provides secure, climate-controlled storage solutions in a unique underground environment, with a mix of standard storage units, larger storage spaces, parking options, and operational support designed to provide customers with a modern, reliable, and accessible storage experience. The Manager works closely with Absolute Storage Management (ASM), Copaken Brooks’ storage operations partner. Storage operations are coordinated with and reported to Absolute Storage Management, including use of its lease agreements, standard operating procedures, reporting processes, and storage management systems.
Summary of Position:
The Smart Storage Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation, performance, customer experience, and overall functionality of Smart Storage KC. This role oversees storage operations, customer and tenant relations, leasing support, occupancy strategy, collections, vendor coordination, financial tracking, security monitoring, facility standards, and system compliance.
This individual must be highly organized, customer focused, operationally minded, and comfortable working in a unique underground environment with shared systems, access considerations, security needs, and evolving space demands. This position plays an important role in maximizing occupancy, improving revenue performance, maintaining a safe and functional facility, and supporting a positive experience for Smart Storage KC customers.
Hours & Benefits: This is a full-time, benefits eligible position scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The position is also eligible for a monthly bonus equal to 1 percent of gross storage revenue.
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Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options.
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Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
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Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance and optional supplemental coverage.
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Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
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401(k) plan with immediate 100% vesting on employee contributions and a company match of 50% of the first 3% contributed; employer contributions vest 33% after one year, 66% after two years, and 100% after three years.
Typical Duties:
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Oversee the day to day operations of Smart Storage KC, including customer service, access, unit readiness, occupancy tracking, facility condition, equipment availability, and operational issue resolution.
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Coordinate with maintenance, property management, ASM, vendors, contractors, and internal team members to ensure the facility operates efficiently, safely, and consistently within the unique Downtown Underground environment.
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Manage customer and tenant relations, including escalated issues, complaints, access concerns, condition concerns, policy questions, account resolution, and clear written customer communications.
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Lease storage units and parking spaces, respond to inquiries, coordinate tours, evaluate customer fit, support onboarding, and maintain occupancy strategies that maximize rentable area and revenue.
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Support larger storage unit leasing by identifying qualified leads, gathering relevant information, and coordinating next steps with the appropriate internal lead responsible for tours, negotiations, and closing.
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Identify underutilized or vacant areas for potential storage conversion or other revenue producing uses, and support planning related to unit mix, layout, access, customer flow, and rentable square footage optimization.
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Coordinate storage build outs, repairs, remediation, access upgrades, signage, equipment, security improvements, and other facility projects, including obtaining bids, reviewing scopes of work, assisting with contractor selection, and overseeing completion.
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Procure, install, monitor, and maintain storage related operational components, including unit signage, wayfinding signage, cameras, keypads, carts, dollies, pallet jacks, ramps, and other customer use equipment.
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Monitor facility activity, camera footage, access patterns, unusual activity, late night activity, and other risk indicators, and coordinate appropriate security measures to help prevent theft, damage, liability, and operational disruption.
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Execute required ASM system tasks, including DoorSwap work orders, customer follow up, collections activity, lock cuts, unit sweeps, facility walks, reporting, and documentation of occupancy, maintenance, access, and security concerns.
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Manage delinquent accounts through consistent follow up, policy enforcement, documentation, customer resolution options, and coordination of lien, abandonment, or auction processes in compliance with Missouri lien law and company policy.
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Support the financial and business performance of Smart Storage KC, including budget preparation, monthly financial review, revenue tracking, expense review, vendor billing review, shared expense reconciliation, monthly billbacks, marketing activities, competitive rate surveys, process improvements, and revenue growth goals.
Work Relationships:
This position reports to the Senior Property Manager. The position works closely with internal team members, including Finance and Accounting, Administration, Property Accounting, Operations, Maintenance, Leasing, and company leadership. Outside the organization, this position has regular contact with ASM, Smart Storage KC customers, vendors, contractors, service providers, security providers, and other parties involved in storage operations.
Minimum Requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, operations, real estate, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience in storage operations, facility operations, customer service, sales, leasing, or property operations.
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2 to 5 years of relevant experience preferred.
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Strong customer service, communication, organization, follow up, and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, customer needs, and operational issues in a busy environment.
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Experience with budgeting, financial review, collections, vendor coordination, or operational reporting preferred.
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Ability to review vendor work, evaluate service quality, and coordinate corrective action when needed.
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Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, Word, and other operational or customer management systems.
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Ability to learn and use ASM systems, DoorSwap, access control systems, camera systems, and related storage technology.
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Strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling customer issues, security concerns, delinquent accounts, and sensitive operational matters.
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Familiarity with storage operations, lien processes, customer account management, and Missouri lien law preferred.
Physical Requirements:
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Conduct regular walks and inspections throughout Smart Storage KC and Downtown Underground.
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Navigate the underground facility environment, including walking longer distances, using stairs when needed, and accessing storage areas, equipment areas, and shared operational spaces.
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Respond to urgent facility, access, customer, or security needs in a timely manner.
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Attend meetings, coordinate with vendors, meet customers onsite, and participate in tours or operational reviews.
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Occasionally lift and carry items related to storage operations, including files, signage, small equipment, supplies, or customer use equipment.
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Sustain the physical and operational demands of a busy storage facility.
