Director of Operations

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Overview

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long-term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk-adjusted returns to shareholders. With equal parts experience and vision, we’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live and that is always focused on building value for the long term.

Creating a better way to live is the purpose that binds AvalonBay associates. We take that purpose seriously and expect you will as well. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and taking ownership of our choices and actions, we act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors and associates. Your positive, professional, and consistent personal interactions make AvalonBay a great place to work.

The Role

We’re looking for a Director of Operations to play a critical role in shaping and executing our company’s operations strategy. Located at our Corporate headquarters, this leader will partner closely with executives across Operations, Digital, Property and Customer Service Operations to design and deliver a new operating model that improves customer and associate experiences, increases efficiency, and drives profitable growth.

This is a highly visible, cross-functional role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure to complex problems, and is energized by turning strategy into execution. You’ll lead teams that design and implement solutions, leverage data to unlock insights, and help build scalable, future-ready operations.

If you’re passionate about customer experience, care deeply about associate engagement, and enjoy leading large-scale change in fast-paced environments, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Drive operational strategy: Analyze and synthesize customer, financial, and operational data to identify opportunity areas and inform strategic decision-making

• Design the future state: Lead cross-functional teams to develop future-state customer and associate experiences, including process redesign and organizational structure solutions

• Lead execution: Partner with frontline operations and internal stakeholders to develop and deliver practical, scalable implementation plans

• Measure what matters: Define, establish, and track success metrics to ensure initiatives deliver real, measurable impact

• Enable through technology: Identify, evaluate, and help implement technology solutions (including AI-related solutions) that improve efficiency, experience, and operational performance

• Build and lead teams: Hire, develop, motivate, and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred

Experience

• 5–7+ years of experience in business analysis, project management, and process improvement

• 5+ years leading operations process improvement or redesign initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar), ideally in service-oriented industries

• 5+ years managing complex, cross-functional projects.

• 4+ years of people leadership experience

• 3+ years assessing technology and process requirements

• Experience in residential property management is a strong plus

Skills & Capabilities

• Proven operations leader with the ability to influence and motivate across levels and functions

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale organizational change.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills

• Track record of delivering initiatives that generate meaningful business returns

• Experience designing future-state customer and associate journeys

• Familiarity with change management methodologies

• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills

• Self-starter who performs well with limited direction and high expectations

How AvalonBay Supports You

Additional Info

AvalonBay is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment.  We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.

AvalonBay makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.

For California residents, if you elect to apply to AvalonBay you accept the AvalonBay California Personnel Privacy Notice (https://www.avaloncommunities.com/california-personnel-privacy-notice/)