Sr Associate IT Product Manager

At Equity Residential, we're dedicated to creating thriving communities, and we invite you to be part of our team. Embracing values like Diversity, Sustainability, and Total Wellbeing, we foster a workplace culture of authenticity and collaboration.

How We Deliver a Winning Performance:  

• Question Authority 
• Walk the Talk
• Share Knowledge
• Listen, not just Hear
• See the Glass Half Full
• Take Educated Risks
• Enjoy the Ride
• Share the Spotlight
• Do the Right Thing
• Test Your Limits 

We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care 
• Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
• Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
• Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
• Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
• Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

What You’Ll Be Doing:

The Sr Associate Product Manager is responsible for delivering business value to their assigned department via high quality technology platforms. This role supports the full product lifecycle by defining valuable features, gathering business requirements, assuring quality solutions, and providing insights to guide product strategy and execution. The Sr Associate Product Manager partners closely with Product Managers, Product Owners, and business stakeholders to ensure product decisions are data-driven, measurable, and aligned with company objectives. This role is designed for individuals interested in developing skills toward full product management accountability. 

Essential Functions:

• Collaborates and partners with business teams across core departments in the organization, with an emphasis on Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, and other Property Operations. 
• Owns specific features, enhancements, or portions of the backlog and delivery of priority initiatives in compliance with governance standards.
• Define user stories, success criteria, and feature requirements.
• Outline logical data needs for solutions and system integrations.
• Perform application/integration testing, conduct user acceptance testing with business, and manage feedback loops.
• Maintain product delivery and testing documentation and handoff appropriate documentation to support teams.
• Troubleshoot and support production escalations from support and business teams.
• Work on cross-functional teams (including but not limited to Architecture, Engineering, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, and various business departments) to execute with excellence.
• Support relationship management with partnering departments.
• Serves as hybrid team member, effectively positioned in both IT and with their assigned team(s) as a key technical and business domain team member.
• Support compliance, audit, and business continuity needs for application ecosystem.
• Assist in tracking budgets and vendor costs.
• Monitor and collect data to track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success.
• Research product innovations for existing tech stack and new emerging products to address emerging business needs.
• Mentor interns and/or support new hires in training.
• Represents the Company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintains a professional courteous attitude when dealing with residents, coworkers and the general public.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

The Company may revise this job description from time to time as business needs require.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all the functions of the job, nor limit the Company’s right to assign other functions to an employee in this position.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Job Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• 4-6 years of experience in product management, business analysis, or related technology/business roles.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and backlog management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence).
• Hands-on experience gathering requirements, writing user stories, and supporting product delivery.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to use data and research to recommend feature improvements.
• Effective communicator, able to work across engineering, design, and business teams.
• Exposure to application lifecycle management, integrations, or ecosystem dependencies preferred.
• Knowledge across a variety of technology platforms in sales, marketing, customer experience, property operations and/or other core business functions such as legal and finance.
• Detail-oriented, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience in real estate, hospitality, and/or multi-family is a plus.

Machines, Tools and Equipment, Software: Computer w/Internet and work within a Google platform, has strong skills with MS Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google applications

Other Requirements: Must be available for overnight travel to EQR markets, industry or technology related events, etc. (up to 10% annually). 

SALARY:  $111,000 to $136,000  per year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary annual % bonus is provided.

The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

Physical And Visual Activities:

Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily.   Able to see well enough to use the computer effectively and read written communications.  Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility. 

The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job.  “Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only.  Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Hybrid working environment: In-office (at 2 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL) and remote, in alignment with the company’s corporate attendance policy.

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means living our purpose: creating communities where people thrive. It means striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. 

Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, and Denver – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, as evidenced by our employee engagement scores and customer loyalty ratings. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to thrive.

Equity Rewards

When you join Equity Residential, you won’t be treated as simply another employee — you will be considered a partner in our shared success. As such, we are committed to investing in your personal success through a benefits program that supports your Total Wellbeing. 

We recognize that everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique benefits options to employees, like a comprehensive wellness program, pet insurance, new parent benefits, and paid time off for community service projects. In addition to your next job, you can also find your next home with us! Rent discounts on Equity Residential apartment homes are available to our benefits-eligible employees. The amount of the discount offered is determined based on the market, ranging upwards from 20%. Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

Equity Values

At Equity Residential, like our residents, our employees come from everywhere. A richly diverse work environment captures top talent, cultivates the best ideas, and creates the widest possible platform for success. By focusing on inclusion, these differences are harnessed to create value — in ideas, business practices, relationships, and employee engagement. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees can thrive. 

All aspects of the employment process are merit-based. Every Equity employee is expected to maintain a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Equity Residential does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, religion, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, sexual/gender identity/expression, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, national origin, citizenship status, military (including uniformed service member or protected veteran) status, marital status, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law. Equity Residential also prohibits retaliation against individuals who report harassment or discrimination, or participate in investigations into such conduct.