What should an owner compare between contingency recruiters?
Compare method, not just fee. Ask how each firm finds candidates, whether they contact employed people directly, how they qualify interest, what you receive with an introduction and who you speak with during the search. Two firms on identical terms can deliver very different shortlists.
Some contingency recruiters send many résumés quickly and let the client sort them. Others present fewer people after a qualifying conversation. The second approach takes more of the recruiter time and less of yours. Ask for a sample brief with names removed to see which style a firm uses.
Look at specialization. A generalist may fill a property manager role, yet may not know how a fee manager differs from an owner-operator, or what a compliance file review involves. Specialists should be able to discuss your asset type in operating terms on the first call.
Finally, read the agreement. Fee basis, payment timing, replacement terms and any exclusivity should all be written down. Our terms are described on the fees page, and the signed agreement governs every engagement.
What warning signs suggest a contingency search will struggle?
Watch for introductions with no written context, candidates who seem surprised by basic facts about the role, recruiters who cannot describe your asset type in operating terms, and pressure to move faster than your process allows. Those signs usually point to volume over qualification, which wastes interview time.
On your own side, slow feedback, a moving brief and no clear decision maker cause similar trouble. Even a strong recruiter struggles when the hiring team cannot agree what it wants.
A short check-in after the first introductions helps. Compare what you received with what was promised, and adjust the brief or the partner early rather than late.
It is reasonable to ask a recruiter for the names of property types they have searched for and the questions they would ask about yours. Specific, confident answers are a better guide than general claims about reach or speed.
A contingency option for real estate hiring.
Real Estate Headhunters: Compare method, not just fee. Ask how each firm finds candidates, whether they contact employed people directly, how they qualify interest, what you receive with an introduction and who you speak with during the search. Two firms on identical terms can deliver very different shortlists.
This is what we do all day: recruit property management and real estate professionals.
For employers who want direct headhunting for property management and related real estate roles without an upfront fee on a standard search.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
- No upfront fee
- Pay only if you hire
- Real estate only
- We reach people who aren't on job boards
- Replacement guarantee on standard searches
Signed terms: We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How retained executive search differs
retained executive search firms is the executive search firm identified in the linked SEC filings. Its fiscal 2021 filing describes executive search centered on roles averaging $360,000 or more in first-year cash compensation. That is a description of its historical business, not a current minimum for a search.
When it may be the right choice
An employer seeking the retained executive-search model described in those filings may find that approach appropriate to its mandate and procurement process. Get a current proposal rather than relying on a historical disclosure or this page.
Where our model fits
We focus only on real estate, with property management at the core. A standard search has no upfront fee: you pay only if you hire. We map relevant employers, approach people directly and qualify them in live conversations.
| Topic | Real Estate Headhunters | Other routes |
|---|---|---|
| Payment model | No upfront fee on standard searches. You pay only if you hire, under the signed recruiting agreement. | retained executive search firms's fiscal 2025 filing says search fees generally equal one-third of estimated first-year cash compensation, plus a percentage for indirect expenses and an uptick fee when actual compensation is higher. Its fiscal 2021 filing says retained firms like it typically charge whether or not a role is filled. |
| Industry focus | Real estate only, with property management at the core and related operating and investment roles. | retained executive search firms's fiscal 2021 filing describes executive search centered on roles averaging $360,000 or more in cash compensation. This historical description is not a current minimum or a quote for your search. |
| How the search starts | We calibrate the opening, map employers and directly headhunt relevant people, including professionals who are not applying. | A property management staffing agency is a category, not one uniform service. Ask whether an agency supplies temporary coverage, direct hires or both, and whether it will actively research your target market. |
Multifamily Property Management, On-Site16 titles
Open the Multifamily Property Management, On-Site hub
- Property Manager
- Community Manager
- Senior Community Manager
- Senior Property Manager
- General Manager, Multifamily High-Rise
- Multi-Site Property Manager
- Lease-Up Community Manager
- Assistant Property Manager
- Assistant Community Manager
- Business Manager
- Interim Community Manager
- Resident Services Manager
- Property Administrator
- Concierge Manager
- Floating Property Manager
- Floating Assistant Property Manager
Affordable Housing Management and Compliance20 titles
Open the Affordable Housing Management and Compliance hub
- Affordable Housing Property Manager (LIHTC)
- HUD Property Manager (Project-Based Section 8)
- Senior Affordable Property Manager (Section 202)
- Rural Development Property Manager (USDA 515)
- Assistant Property Manager, Affordable
- Occupancy Specialist
- Compliance Specialist (LIHTC)
- Compliance Manager
- Senior Compliance Manager
- Director of Compliance
- Vice President of Compliance
- Compliance Auditor
- Subsidy and HAP Contract Specialist
- Resident Services Coordinator
- Director of Resident Services
- Regional Property Manager, Affordable
- Director of Affordable Housing Operations
- Housing Authority Property Manager
- Director of Housing Management (Housing Authority)
- Mixed-Income Community Manager
Community Association Management: HOA, Condo, Master-Planned15 titles
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- Community Association Manager (CAM)
- Portfolio Community Association Manager
- Onsite Community Association Manager
- Senior Community Association Manager
- Assistant Community Association Manager
- High-Rise Condominium General Manager
- Master-Planned Community General Manager
- Lifestyle Director
- Association Accountant
- Association Accounting Manager
- Covenants and Architectural Review Coordinator
- Developer Transition Manager
- Director of Community Management
- Branch President, HOA Management Company
- Vice President of Community Association Management
Commercial Property Management: Office, Retail, Industrial, Mixed-Use, Medical18 titles
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- Commercial Property Manager
- Senior Commercial Property Manager
- Assistant Property Manager, Commercial
- Office Property Manager
- General Manager, Class A Office
- Retail Property Manager
- Shopping Center General Manager
- Industrial Property Manager
- Mixed-Use General Manager
- Medical Office Property Manager
- Life Science Property Manager
- Tenant Coordinator
- Tenant Services Manager
- Lease Administrator
- Lease Administration Manager
- Property Administrator, Commercial
- Director of Commercial Property Management
- Senior Lease Administrator
Specialty Housing Operations: Student, Senior and Active Adult, SFR/BTR, Military, Manufactured Housing, Self Storage17 titles
- Student Housing General Manager
- Student Housing Assistant General Manager
- Student Housing Regional Manager
- Director of Student Housing Operations
- Active Adult Community Manager
- Independent Living Executive Director
- Senior Apartments Property Manager (55+)
- SFR Property Manager
- SFR Market Director
- Build-to-Rent Community Manager
- Director of SFR and BTR Operations
- Military Housing Community Manager
- Military Housing Project Director
- Manufactured Housing Community Manager
- Manufactured Housing Regional Manager
- Self Storage District Manager
- Co-Living Community Manager
Maintenance, Facilities and Building Engineering18 titles
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- Maintenance Supervisor
- Service Manager
- Assistant Maintenance Supervisor
- Lead Maintenance Technician
- HVAC-Certified Maintenance Technician
- Make-Ready and Turn Supervisor
- Regional Maintenance Supervisor
- Director of Maintenance
- Vice President of Facilities, Residential
- Chief Engineer
- Assistant Chief Engineer
- Building Engineer
- Stationary Engineer
- Building Automation (BAS) Engineer
- Director of Engineering
- Regional Engineering Manager
- Facilities Manager, Property
- Traveling Maintenance Supervisor
Leasing, Marketing and Resident Experience14 titles
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- Leasing Manager
- Lease-Up Leasing Specialist
- Centralized Leasing Manager
- Director of Leasing, Multifamily
- Commercial Leasing Director, Owner-Side
- Retail Leasing Manager
- Specialty Leasing Manager
- Marketing Manager, Multifamily
- Regional Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing, Property Management
- Vice President of Marketing
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Resident Experience Manager
- Director of Resident Experience
Regional, Portfolio and Operations Leadership19 titles
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- Regional Property Manager
- Senior Regional Property Manager
- Regional Manager
- Regional Vice President
- District Manager
- Portfolio Manager, Property Operations
- Director of Property Management
- Director of Operations
- Vice President of Property Management
- Vice President of Operations
- Senior Vice President of Operations
- Revenue Manager
- Director of Revenue Management
- Director of Training
- Director of Business Development, Third-Party Management
- Transition Manager
- Director of Centralized Operations
- Property Management Systems Manager
- Director of Procurement, Property Management
Development17 titles
- Development Analyst
- Development Associate
- Development Manager
- Senior Development Manager
- Director of Development
- Vice President of Development
- Senior Vice President of Development
- Affordable Housing Development Manager
- Multifamily Development Director
- Build-to-Rent Development Manager
- Industrial Development Manager
- Mixed-Use Development Director
- Healthcare Development Manager
- Hospitality Development Director
- Land Acquisition Manager
- Entitlements Manager
- Pre-Development Manager
Owner-Side Construction and Project Management11 titles
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- Owner's Representative
- Construction Manager, Owner-Side
- Senior Construction Manager
- Director of Construction
- Vice President of Construction
- Development Project Manager
- Capital Projects Manager
- Director of Capital Projects
- Renovation Project Manager
- Tenant Improvement Project Manager
- Construction Coordinator, Developer
Asset Management11 titles
Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Investment Management14 titles
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- Acquisitions Analyst
- Acquisitions Associate
- Acquisitions Manager
- Director of Acquisitions
- Vice President of Acquisitions
- Dispositions Director
- Real Estate Underwriter
- Capital Markets Associate
- Director of Capital Markets
- Investor Relations Director
- Capital Raising Director
- Real Estate Investment Associate
- Fund Portfolio Manager
- Managing Director, Real Estate Investments
Real Estate Accounting and Finance14 titles
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- Property Accountant
- Senior Property Accountant
- Commercial Property Accountant
- CAM Reconciliation Specialist
- Affordable Housing Property Accountant
- Property Accounting Manager
- Director of Property Accounting
- Assistant Controller, Real Estate
- Real Estate Controller
- Fund Accountant
- Fund Controller
- Real Estate FP&A Manager
- Real Estate Tax Manager
- Vice President of Finance, Real Estate
Facilities and Corporate Real Estate13 titles
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- Facilities Manager, Corporate
- Senior Facilities Manager
- Director of Facilities
- Head of Facilities
- Integrated Facilities Management Account Director
- Facilities Project Manager
- Workplace Experience Manager
- Energy and Sustainability Manager
- Corporate Real Estate Manager
- Director of Corporate Real Estate
- Transaction Manager, Corporate Real Estate
- Real Estate Manager, Multi-Unit Site Selection
- Regional Facilities Manager, Corporate
Real Estate Executive Leadership12 titles
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- Chief Executive Officer, Real Estate
- President, Property Management
- Chief Operating Officer, Property Management
- Chief Financial Officer, Real Estate
- Chief Investment Officer
- Chief Development Officer
- Chief Accounting Officer
- Chief Revenue Officer, Property Management
- Executive Vice President, Operations
- Division President, Homebuilding or BTR
- Head of Human Resources, Property Management
- Executive Director, Housing Authority or Nonprofit Housing
Leasing Teams13 titles
- Leasing Consultant
- Senior Leasing Consultant
- Bilingual Leasing Consultant
- Leasing Consultant, Tax Credit
- Student Housing Leasing Professional
- Leasing Ambassador
- Virtual Leasing Agent
- Renewal Specialist
- Lease Processing Specialist
- Lease Audit Specialist
- Showing Agent, Single-Family and Build-to-Rent
- Marketing Coordinator, Property Management
- Regional Leasing Consultant
Maintenance and Make-Ready15 titles
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- Maintenance Technician
- Senior Maintenance Technician
- Apprentice Maintenance Technician
- Make-Ready Technician
- Turn Technician, Seasonal
- Make-Ready Painter
- Floater Maintenance Technician
- Renovation Technician
- Maintenance Coordinator
- Turn Coordinator
- Property Inspector
- Building Superintendent, Residential
- Resident Manager, Co-op and Condominium
- Field Service Technician, Single-Family Rental
- Scope Writer
Grounds, Porter and Housekeeping7 titles
Pool, Amenity and Lifestyle8 titles
Concierge, Front Desk and Resident Services9 titles
Community Association Administration and Support8 titles
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Property Accounting and Office Support12 titles
Open the Property Accounting and Office Support hub
- Property Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Specialist, Property Management
- Accounts Receivable Specialist, Property Management
- Resident Collections Specialist
- Commercial Tenant Billing Specialist
- Utility Billing Specialist
- Move-Out and Deposit Accounting Specialist
- HOA Bookkeeper
- Assessment Collections Specialist
- Property Management Administrative Assistant
- Leasing Office Receptionist
- Insurance and COI Compliance Coordinator
Commercial Leasing, Lease Abstraction and Tenant Services7 titles
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Building Engineering Technicians9 titles
Security, Life Safety and Access Control8 titles
New Development and Real Estate Sales10 titles
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- New Home Sales Consultant
- New Home Sales Assistant
- Online Sales Counselor
- Pre-Construction Condominium Sales Associate
- On-Site Sales Manager, New Development
- Director of Sales, New Development
- Sales Administrator, New Development
- Design Studio Consultant
- Broker Outreach Manager
- Manufactured Home Sales Consultant
Specialty Housing Front Line6 titles
7 questions to ask any recruiter before you sign
A useful comparison starts with the engagement, not with a firm's name. Ask for answers in writing and read them alongside the recruiting agreement.
- What exactly triggers the fee, and what do we owe if we do not hire?
- Which expenses or additional charges can be added to the quoted fee?
- Who will do the research, outreach and live candidate qualification?
- How will you distinguish comparable experience from a matching title?
- What will the candidate brief tell us beyond the résumé?
- How do confidentiality, references and candidate consent work?
- What replacement provisions, exclusions and notice requirements apply?
Read the source, then the agreement
Facts about other firms come from their own filings and websites as of October 2026. Company names are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify them. Real Estate Headhunters is not affiliated with any of these firms.
What should you ask before choosing a recruiting firm?
Are you affiliated with retained executive search firms?
No. Real Estate Headhunters is not affiliated with retained executive search firms. The name is used only to identify the firm being discussed.
Do you claim a lower total fee?
No. Our distinction here is the standard contingency payment model and real estate focus. The proposed agreements determine actual fees.
Should we use several contingency recruiters at once?
You can, but the same candidate may be approached by more than one firm, which can confuse people and your brand. Many owners prefer one specialist with clear terms.
What should a candidate introduction include?
At minimum, relevant scope, results in context, motivation for a move and open questions to explore in interview.
When do we pay the recruiting fee?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire under the standard contingency agreement. The signed agreement sets the terms; read the fee page before authorizing the search.
How long does it take to see a short list?
The scope of the job, candidate availability and your interview decisions affect the search. We explain the market response and agree next steps rather than promise a numeric deadline.
What if our chosen candidate gets a counteroffer?
We ask about the reasons for a move before an introduction. You still need a clear offer and an honest account of the job; an increase in pay alone may not resolve why someone considered leaving.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting or send an unqualified resume stack. Standard permanent search is not hourly consulting or a retained assignment. Different engagements require agreed terms.
Next step
Send Us Your Open Role
Role, work email and phone is all we need to start. Details about your company and the job are optional.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What happens next
Our process
What do you get from The Six-Step Search?
Real Estate Headhunters begins with the decisions behind your vacancy, not an advert. You get a clear brief, a mapped candidate pool and evidence from direct conversations. We help you distinguish an interested person from a qualified fit, then support interviews and the decision without promising a completion date.
- 1
Search Calibration
A brief that settles the operating problem, reporting line, location, compensation and who can approve the hire.
- 2
Market Mapping
A view of relevant working backgrounds, asset types and experience rather than a search based only on titles.
- 3
Professional Contact Intelligence
Direct ways to approach relevant people respectfully, without relying on applications or exposing a confidential vacancy.
- 4
Persistent Personalized Outreach
A conversation about your actual role, with follow-up that establishes whether a move is worth discussing.
- 5
Live Candidate Qualification
Evidence about responsibilities, relevant results, systems and the practical reasons someone would accept the move.
- 6
Candidate Intelligence and Process Support
A short list with context for interviews, objections and decisions, not a stack of unexplained resumes.
CAM has different meanings. NAA CAM is the Certified Apartment Manager credential. The Florida community association manager license is a separate license, cited here as an example of state licensing. In commercial budgets, CAM means common area maintenance. We check the credential or license relevant to the opening, where the state requires it.