Description

Watergate East, Inc., a 240-unit, 14-story unit residential cooperative in Washington, DC.  Their current general manager will be retiring after many years of dedicated service.  The Board seeks to hire a seasoned manager with whom it can build a similar, highly functional, and collaborative working relationship. 

WEI is a part of the iconic Watergate complex that includes three high-end exclusive cooperatives, two office buildings, and a hotel.  The successful candidate will have deep community industry experience with the ability to navigate the complicated and interlocking physical plant, architectural, business, and financial relationships with other parties in the Watergate complex, while serving as an advocate for the Cooperative and its members.  A high level of financial acumen is required, as the GM is responsible for a $7.8M budget and the Cooperative is self-managed, supported by outside accounting and auditing firms.    

The WEI Board and shareholders are served by a team of 30 employees in departments including management, security, doormen, front desk, housekeeping, and maintenance. 

Watergate Members enjoy a very high level of service from management and staff.  The successful candidate will have the ability to balance delivery of first-class “front of house” service and attention to detail with the big picture perspective necessary to oversee the “back of house” financial and administrative operations, and manage the capital improvement projects required to maintain a 60-year old building.   

Requirements

The successful candidate will possess the following experience, skills, personal characteristics, and knowledge:

•       Deep understanding of community association management and financial matters.
•       Substantive experience in maintaining physical plant and architectural components and managing capital projects. 
•       Ability to demonstrate steadiness, patience, and fairness in working with staff and community members.
•       Analytical abilities and the skill to formulate and implement solutions.  
•       Superior negotiation skills.  
•       Record of effectively leading large staffs and substantial human resource management experience. 
•       High level of emotional intelligence, with active listening skills.  
•       Critical thinking abilities with the skill to communicate recommendations, concepts, and complex issues.
•       Superior leadership abilities, with a bias for training and the skill to model and effectively communicate the delivery of a best-in-class member experience.
•       Ability to identify potential issues and opportunities, and proactively address them.
•       Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
•       Experience in working with communities where multiple committees are an integral part of the volunteer leadership structure. 

 Position requirements & preferences: 

•       Minimum of five years of experience as an on-site manager, portfolio manager, or management company executive.
•       Professional designations as prescribed by CAMIBC/CAI including CMCA® or AMS®, with PCAM® preferred. 
•       College degree(s) preferred.
•       High-rise, luxury condominium management experience preferred.
•       Experience in commercial real estate is a plus.