Director of Product Development at AIR Communities in Chicago, IL

companyDescription Who We Are AIR Communities is a Multifamily Real Estate Operator headquartered in Denver, CO. We are one of the country's largest owners and operators of multifamily housing, managing high-quality properties in most major markets. At AIR, we value integrity, respect, collaboration, customer focus, and performance. These values are brought to life by our teammates, who are ultimately responsible for our success. When you join our team, you'll work alongside the most dedicated professionals in the industry and open the door to unlimited career opportunities. AIR is preparing for growth in 2026! We are adding to several departments in our Denver Headquarters with our anticipated growth. Are you ready to take on a new challenge? Where You Will Work Our corporate office is located in the Denver Tech Center. This position may also sit in our office located in Chicago, IL. Our office spans the top two floors of the building and features expansive views of the mountains and the downtown skyline. AIR values relationships and the benefits from working side by side with teammates, therefore this position will be in-office 5 days a week to support operations. jobDescription The Director of Product Development is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the end-to-end execution of the software product roadmap. Sitting within the Technology organization, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and product owners to transform strategic requirements into high-quality, scalable software. Your success is measured by the predictability, quality, and speed of the development organization. Core Responsibilities: 1. Product Strategy & Innovation Define and communicate a compelling product vision aligned with the company’s technology strategy and long‑term growth objectives. Identify emerging technologies (AI/ML, cloud, integrations, automation, etc.) that can create competitive advantages or unlock new product opportunities. Evaluate and prioritize product initiatives based on customer needs, feasibility, scalability, and ROI. 2. Leadership & Team Development Lead and mentor a multi‑disciplinary product organization (product managers, UX designers, data analysts). Build a strong product culture centered on data‑driven decision making. Recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing product talent. 3. Full Product Lifecycle Management Own delivery across the entire product lifecycle—discovery, user research, prototyping, backlog management, agile development, launch, and iteration. Work with Engineers to define technical requirements, architectural constraints, and delivery timelines. Ensure product design meets usability, security, compliance, and scalability standards consistent with modern tech environments. 4. Customer & Market Insight Conduct user research, usability testing, and continuous customer feedback loops to validate concepts and refine product direction. Monitor industry trends, and customer behavior across digital platforms. Translate insights into clear product requirements, user stories, and roadmap decisions. 5. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Collaborate with Engineers to ensure timely, high-quality product releases using agile frameworks. Work with UX to deliver intuitive, elegant digital experiences. Partner with Data teams to define analytics, instrumentation, and KPIs that measure product success. Coordinate with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success on positioning, pricing, training, and launch readiness. 6. Product Launch & Go-To-Market Execution Lead planning and execution of feature and product launches, ensuring alignment across departments. Drive product messaging, release documentation, and go‑to‑market enablement. Monitor early adoption metrics and guide rapid iteration to optimize the customer experience. 7. Performance Management & Portfolio Optimization Track and report product performance using KPIs such as activation, retention, engagement, NPS, ARR/MRR contribution, and operational efficiency. Continuously refine the product portfolio, including sunsetting or redefining underperforming features. Provide executive insights and recommendations to influence strategy and investment decisions. qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field; MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus. 10+ years of product management experience within a technology company, with 5+ years leading product teams. Proven success in launching and scaling software products (SaaS, cloud platforms, mobile apps, enterprise tech, etc.). Strong understanding of modern tech stacks, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and agile development practices. Exceptional leadership, communication, prioritization, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred Skills Experience with AI/ML‑driven products, cloud-native technologies, or large-scale distributed systems. Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD, and engineering workflows. Strong data literacy (SQL familiarity, experimentation frameworks, metrics design). Demonstrated ability to balance technical depth with strategic business thinking. Experience managing global products or multi-tenant architecture. additionalInformation AIR offers attractive total compensation packages designed to recognize and reward performance at the individual, team and company levels. We start with a competitive base salary and add bonus opportunities and benefit choices topped off with: Expected pay rate of $$175,000 - $205,000 plus annual bonus. You will be provided a pay rate that is in line with your skills and experience as they relate to the requirements of the job. 25% Discounted Rent at AIR communities (certain exclusions apply, and an application is required). Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options available. HSA with company sponsored contributions, FSA (traditional and dependent care FSA). Short and long-term disability paid by the company. 401(K) plus company contributions. Paid Vacation, 14 Paid Holidays, and Paid Sick Time. Tuition Assistance Program. Commuter Benefits and Pet-Insurance. Up to 100% Reimbursement on Professional Certification/Licensing for Job Related Curriculums. Paid parental leave of up to 16 weeks, following the birth or adoption of a child. Consumer discounts from various products and services including travel planning, wireless phones, health and fitness, home appliances, and more. 15 hours of paid time annually to give-back to your community. Opportunities for professional development and career growth including realistic job previews, in person and virtual leadership training, and performance improvement courses. Application Deadline:  The initial deadline for applications is 5/11/2026. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered on a rolling basis until the position/program is filled. We encourage all interested candidates to apply as early as possible. If a final decision has not been made by the initial deadline, subsequent applications will be reviewed as they are received. Candidates extended an offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening that includes checking references, a four-panel drug screening thatexcludes marijuana testing, employment verification & criminal background check. AIR values diversity and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. AIR prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.