Job Description
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory, ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fourth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of December 31, 2025, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.9 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn
The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.
The Director, Property Operations, Commercial will oversee the day-to-day operations of a 5.2 million square foot portfolio of New York City office properties. This role reports directly to the VP, Property Management and will serve as a key operational partner. The Director will drive consistent execution, strong financial performance, and alignment across all assets.
The Director will oversee property management teams, financial performance, and capital initiatives and drive accountability and operational standards across the portfolio. This individual will maintain efficient, high-performing assets, enable the VP, Property Management to focus on broader strategic and organizational priorities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Oversee day-to-day operations across a current portfolio of 9 commercial office properties totaling approximately 5.2 million square feet
- Lead and support Property Managers and building teams to ensure smooth building operations, strong tenant service, and consistent operational execution across all properties
- Establish and maintain consistent operating standards, policies, and procedures across the portfolio to ensure all assets are managed in a uniform and disciplined manner
- Drive operational efficiency and best practices across buildings and teams while ensuring a proactive approach to portfolio management
- Maintain clear visibility into building operations, projects, and team performance to ensure issues are identified early and addressed before they escalate
PORTFOLIO AND TEAM MANAGEMENT:
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and oversight to Property Managers and onsite building teams
- Ensure clear accountability, performance expectations, and operational consistency across all properties
- Monitor staffing levels, team performance, and professional development while fostering a collaborative and high-performing property management culture
- Ensure alignment and coordination between Property Management, Engineering, Leasing, and capital project teams
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:
- Maintain close oversight of portfolio financials including operating statements, budgets, and reforecasts
- Review financial performance across properties and identify operational or financial issues requiring action
- Ensure strong financial discipline across the portfolio including monitoring expenses, managing variances, and maintaining alignment with budget expectations
- Maintain oversight of monthly, quarterly and year-end financial deliverables including accruals, expense tracking, and financial reporting to ensure accuracy and timeliness
- Ensure property teams maintain strong financial controls and clear visibility into building financial performance
CAPITAL PROJECTS, MAJOR R&M, AND BUILDING INITIATIVES:
- Oversee the planning and execution of capital projects, major repairs and maintenance, and building initiatives across the portfolio
- Ensure projects are executed according to approved scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining building standards and minimizing operational disruption
- Coordinate closely with project management, engineering, leasing, and property teams to ensure capital initiatives and tenant improvements are delivered successfully
- Monitor project progress and ensure that work is completed, properly tracked, and financially accounted for in accordance with company procedures
TENANT EXPERIENCE AND BUILDING OPERATIONS:
- Maintain a strong tenant-focused service culture across the portfolio
- Support property teams in addressing tenant issues, operational challenges, and service delivery to ensure a high-quality tenant experience
- Ensure buildings maintain strong standards for cleanliness, safety, maintenance, and overall presentation
- Work closely with property teams to support tenant relations initiatives and maintain strong tenant engagement
PROPERTY INSPECTIONS AND ASSET STANDARDS:
- Ensure regular property inspections are conducted across the portfolio to maintain high standards of building condition, safety, and operational performance
- Conduct periodic portfolio inspections and work with property teams to identify operational issues, maintenance needs, and opportunities for improvement
- Ensure inspection findings are addressed promptly and tracked through resolution
- Maintain consistent building standards across all assets to ensure alignment with company expectations
PROACTIVE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT:
- Maintain a proactive management approach across the portfolio, identifying operational, financial, and building issues early and implementing solutions before they escalate
- Ensure property teams operate with a forward-looking mindset focused on planning, accountability, and execution rather than reactive problem solving
- Maintain a strong pulse on building operations, financial performance, projects, and team execution across the portfolio
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:
- Serve as a key operational partner to the VP, Property Management
- Provide regular updates and insights regarding operational performance, financial trends, team effectiveness, and portfolio challenges
- Ensure that day-to-day portfolio management, building operations, and financial execution remain aligned with broader portfolio goals and company priorities
- Support broader initiatives and strategic projects led by the VP while maintaining responsibility for the operational execution of the portfolio
- Drive process automation and efficiency improvements using AI technologies
- Establish and monitor KPIs to measure AI impact (ROI, productivity, cost savings)
- Partner with colleagues to translate operational needs into AI-driven solutions
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- The successful candidate will create strong operational alignment across the portfolio, ensuring that all properties and teams operate with consistency, accountability, and clear standards
- Buildings will be well maintained, teams will operate efficiently, and financial performance will be closely monitored and managed. Capital projects and operational initiatives will be executed on schedule and within budget, and financial reporting and quarter-end deliverables will be accurate and timely
- Through proactive leadership and strong operational oversight, this individual will ensure the portfolio operates smoothly and efficiently while enabling the Vice President of Property Management to focus on broader strategic initiatives and organizational priorities
REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze operating statements, budgets, and forecasts
- Strong understanding of capital projects, major repairs and maintenance planning, and construction coordination
- Highly proactive management style with the ability to anticipate operational and financial issues and drive solutions
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to manage multiple properties, projects, and priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Solid understanding of building systems including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
- Strong communication and leadership presence with the ability to effectively engage property teams, tenants, and senior leadership
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and property management systems such as Yardi
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial property management
- Significant experience overseeing multiple commercial office properties and property management teams
- Proven leadership experience managing property managers and building teams
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
- Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
- Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
- Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
- Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
- Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
- Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
- Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through
BENEFITS
- Competitive base salary and bonus
- Health/Dental/Vision insurance
- Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
- Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
- Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
- Paid parental leave
- Pre-tax transit accounts
- Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support
WELL-BEING
- Generous paid time off
- Flex remote work time
- Flex Summer Fridays
- Employee engagement programs
- Volunteer time off
- Continuing education
- Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
- Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
- Employee Discount Programs
ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.