Asset and Property Managers Top List of In-Demand Professionals

Approximately 57 percent of commercial real estate companies plan to expand their workforce by 1 percent to 10 percent this year, according to Christenson Advisors’ 2011 Talent Management Survey. Nine percent of survey respondents expect to decrease their staff size while 21 percent of executives surveyed expect no changes in their companies’ staffing levels.

Sentiment among the 125 top-level commercial real estate industry executives who were surveyed indicates that companies are continuing to focus on their core businesses during the unstable economic recovery. As a result, approximately 43 percent of respondents expect to hire portfolio/asset managers over the next two years. Twenty-nine percent say they will bring on property managers and 24 percent plan to hire transaction managers as the market continues to improve.

Attracting and identifying quality talent are the biggest concerns of commercial real estate hiring managers, according to the survey. Assessing qualified talent and staying within staffing budgets are other areas that concern executives who plan to hire this year.

Promoting internally (86 percent) and networking within the industry for referrals (81 percent) are the most utilized methods of filling vacant positions. Retaining a recruiting agency (52 percent) and utilizing in-house recruiters (21 percent) are other ways companies plan to seek new talent.