Building Manager, Real Estate Manager, Site Administrator
Interest in compiling and maintaining records on expenses and income; in reviewing rents to ensure they are at market value; and in monitoring progress and cost of repairs, maintenance and renovations
Interest in co-ordinating repairs, maintenance and renovations and in ensuring that staff respond to calls from clients and tenants; may hire and supervise rental agents, property clerks, building superintendents and other support staff performing operational, clerical and maintenance duties
Interest in speaking with contractors providing property services, and in negotiating rental and lease of properties
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties vary somewhat depending on the type of property but, in general, property managers:
Condominium managers regularly report to a condominium board and must act in accordance with the Condominium Property Act and all applicable bylaws.
Property managers work in an office environment but are often away from the office inspecting properties and monitoring contractors. Their work days tend to be unstructured and they must deal with frequent interruptions. They work normal business hours, although long hours and evening meetings are sometimes required. Property managers may be required to deal with emergencies on weekends and holidays.
Property managers need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, co-ordinating and supervising the work of others, and dealing with people.
Most employers prefer to hire property managers who have at least a high school diploma, business experience and computer skills. Graduation from a post-secondary program related to property management, real estate management, accounting or business administration is a definite asset. Most commercial managers have related post-secondary education.
Property managers who show suites, collect rent or prepare and administer leases and other legal documents must be licensed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). To qualify for licensing, applicants must complete the Real Estate Associates Program (REAP) offered by RECA and pass a provincial qualifying exam.
The Real Estate Institute of Canada offers a Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation. To qualify for the CPM designation, a property manager must:
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) offers a Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation. To qualify for the RPA designation, property managers must successfully complete eight designated courses covering a wide range of topics related to property management.
The Canadian Condominium Institute offers a Professional Associate (ACCI) designation.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Property managers are employed by:
Some property managers work on a contract basis and charge property owners on a fee-for-service basis.
Advancement opportunities depend on the individual's level of skill, education, motivation, attitude and performance. A professional designation is not always required but most employers consider it important.
The number of building starts in a community is a good indicator of the employment situation for property managers in that community. More buildings generally means a greater demand for property managers.
Property managers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1224: Property administrators. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 5,000 Albertans are employed in the Property administrators occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.8% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 40 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As property managers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for property managers.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for property managers vary greatly depending on the employing organization, the responsibilities involved and the background of the manager.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $38.98 | $22.04 | $17.88 |
| Overall | $15.60 | $47.53 | $25.50 | $19.91 |
| Top | $19.23 | $52.75 | $29.21 | $25.96 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA) website: www.abrea.ab.ca
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) website: www.bomacanada.org
Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) website: www.cci.ca
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) website: www.irem.org
International Facility Management Association (IFMA) website: www.ifma.org
Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) website: www.reca.ab.ca
Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) website: www.reic.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 01, 2009. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.