Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer at REAL New York Chief Operating Officer at REAL New York in Hoboken, New Jersey Posted in 3 days ago.

Type:

full-time

Job Description:

REAL New York is a leading New York City real estate brokerage specializing in landlord-forward rental and sales of residential and commercial properties. With a growing portfolio of clients, the firm has built a competitive advantage through deep market knowledge, strong landlord relationships, and a hands-on approach to leasing and development advisory. As REAL New York enters its next phase of growth, the co-founders are making a deliberate investment in leadership, operational infrastructure, financial discipline, and technology; positioning the firm to scale intelligently in an increasingly competitive market. The Opportunity REAL NY is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to serve as the senior leader of the business. This is not a traditional ops role. The COO will own five interconnected pillars

• finance, people, operations, technology, and strategy and will be the executive layer between the co-founders and the rest of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned NYC real estate professional who is equally comfortable presenting a financial model, leading a technology roadmap, and building a high-performing team. This person runs the business so the co-founders can focus on what they do best

• building relationships with landlords, developers, and institutional clients.

Five Pillars of Ownership Corporate Strategy Finance People and HR Operations Technology Key Responsibilities Corporate Strategy Partner closely with the co-founders to shape long-term company direction, identify opportunities for growth and strategic alliances, and provide executive-level input on business initiatives, staffing, and operational priorities. Finance & Accounting Lead all finance operations, ensuring a scalable and efficient team structure that supports company growth Collaborate closely with the established finance team and co-founders on P&L review, financial planning, and continuous process improvement Maintain rigorous financial controls and reporting accuracy across accounts payable/receivable, collections, month-end close, and reconciliation Oversee budget projections, monthly goal reporting, and financial analysis to support strategic decision-making Develop and model commission structures for new and existing projects, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and compliance Advocate for agent commission structures that balance retention with REAL NY's profitability goals Identify cost-saving opportunities, lead vendor negotiations, and manage ongoing vendor relationships Oversee regulatory compliance across all business entities, including licensing, LLC renewals, and commission structures Manage bookkeeping infrastructure including QuickBooks oversight, invoice processing, check preparation, and wire reconciliation People & Human Resources Oversee all HR functions including recruitment, retention, benefits administration, and performance management Develop and maintain employee and agent HR policies, ensuring a consistent, professional, and positive work environment Create and manage onboarding processes, employee handbook, PTO policies, and workplace standards Develop and implement training programs and professional development initiatives in partnership with department directors Monitor agent performance and provide structured feedback and development pathways Manage recruitment strategy across all roles employees, agents, and leadership including outside recruiters and job platforms Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance Operations & Administration Oversee day-to-day business operations, ensuring systems, processes, and workflows are efficient and scalable across all departments Manage and develop administrative staff and virtual assistants, providing clear direction, accountability, and growth opportunities Oversee office management functions including facilities, vendor relationships, and supply and service contracts Serve as the connective tissue between departments, technology initiatives, and co-founder priorities ensuring alignment, eliminating bottlenecks, and keeping the organization moving in the same direction Mentor and develop a team of directors, building capability and performance at the leadership level Oversee outside legal counsel for errors and omissions, fair housing, contract agreements, and personnel matters Manage legal budget and ensure fair housing compliance systems are in place and maintained Plan, budget, and oversee execution of company events and corporate announcements Technology & AI Implementation Serve as the primary business owner of REAL NY's internal systems roadmap, translating founder vision and department needs into clear priorities, timelines, and success metrics Partner closely with the internal technology lead to define what should be built, bought, improved, paused, or retired

• owning the business side of every technology decision Establish a recurring technology steering cadence with the co-founders and technology lead, maintaining a clear Now / Next / Later / Not Now roadmap Protect the technology team from reactive, ad hoc requests by creating a structured intake and prioritization process Drive adoption of existing systems and tools including Zoho, dashboards, reporting tools, and AI-enabled workflows diagnosing where adoption is lagging and creating plans to improve it Own internal documentation and knowledge management so critical process and systems knowledge is never dependent on a single person Translate technical constraints, tradeoffs, and timelines into clear business language for founders, department heads, and staff Ideal Candidate Profile 8-15 years of progressive leadership experience in NYC real estate•brokerage, property management, or development strongly preferred Proven executive leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and business operations at a senior level Strong financial acumen•comfortable owning P&L, overseeing accounting functions, and presenting to executive stakeholders Demonstrated experience with AI tools, real estate technology platforms, and technology implementation strategy Track record of building and scaling HR, recruiting, and people operations functions Deep understanding of the NYC residential rental and new development market Highly organized operator who can hold strategy and execution simultaneously Exceptional communicator equally effective with co-founders, department directors, agents, and external partners Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a growing boutique environment Bachelor's degree in business, real estate, or related field required; MBA or JD a plus Who You Are A builder and operator you don't just strategize, you execute Hungry and engaged you want to make a measurable impact, not manage the status quo A natural translator you make technology accessible, finance understandable, and strategy actionable A people developer you invest in the people around you and take mentorship seriously Comfortable with ambiguity you can hold multiple priorities and make sound decisions with incomplete information A steady presence you create calm, clarity, and momentum even when the business is moving fast Why This Role This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role within a respected NYC brokerage and have genuine influence over how the company operates, grows, and positions itself for the future.

You will work directly alongside the co-founders, own the full business infrastructure, and build something that lasts.

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person