Introduction:
Have you ever wondered who keeps your neighborhood running smoothly? Who manages the budget for the community pool? And who helps settle disputes between neighbors? That person is often a Community Association Manager (CAM). A CAM is a professional who is hired by a association of a residential community or its board to handle the day-to-day operations and long-term planning for the community.
If you want to know, what is the career path of a community manager? I am going to discuss who is Community Association Manager? What is community association manager career path? and expected salary of a Community Association Manager. I am also going to discuss how you may become a CAM like education and certifications? What Does A Community Association Manager Do? This article is going to guide you how to grow from an entry-level position into a senior leadership role in the exciting field of community management.
Community Association Manager Overview:
A Community Association Manager (CAM) is a professional administrator. He is responsible for the overall management and daily operations of a community association. Community Association may be a Homeowners Association (HOA) called Town Committee, a condominium association (COA), or a Cooperative Housing Development. He works under the direction of Board of Directors of that association. He ensures that the community is running smoothly and adheres to its governing documents.
What Does A Community Association Manager Do?
Community Association Manager (CAM) ensures the smooth operation of a community. His job is to act as the professional administrator, financial manager, and operational overseer for a community association under the direction of the volunteer Board of Directors.
The responsibilities can be grouped into four major pillars: Management of Operation & Maintenance, Administration of finance, Administrative & Compliance and Communication & Board Support.
Operational & Maintenance Management:
The CAM is responsible for maintaining the physical integrity and appearance of the community’s common areas.
- Negotiating, bidding, and supervising contracts with all service providers to ensure quality work at fair prices. These service privers may be landscapers, pool maintenance, security, and trash removal.
- Conducting regular inspections of the community’s grounds and amenities to identify and address maintenance and repair needs proactively. Grounds and amenities may be clubhouses, gyms, pools, and roads.
- Receiving and processing homeowner requests for repairs in common areas and coordinating the appropriate vendors to resolve the issues.
Financial Administration:
A core function of the manager is managing the community’s money to ensure financial stability and transparency.
- Assisting the Board in drafting, implementing, and monitoring the annual operating and reserve budgets.
- Overseeing the billing and collection of assessments (dues) from homeowners, and implementing established collection procedures for delinquent accounts.
- Paying the association’s bills and preparing accurate, monthly financial reports (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, etc.) for the Board of Directors to review.
Administrative & Compliance:
The CAM handles the legal and procedural requirements of running a non-profit corporation.
- He ensures that the association and its members are operating in accordance with the community’s Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC & Rs), Bylaws, and Rules.
- He enforces community rules fairly and consistently which include inspecting properties, documenting violations, and issuing warnings or fines as directed by the Board.
- He maintains all official association records, contracts, meeting minutes, and homeowner files.
Communication & Board Support:
The CAM serves as the primary link between the Board, the homeowners, and vendors.
- Board Liaison: Providing advice and information to the volunteer Board of Directors to help them make informed business decisions for the community.
- Meeting Facilitation: Organizing, preparing materials for, and attending all Board meetings, annual homeowner meetings, and committee meetings.
- Resident Communications: Acting as the main point of contact for homeowners, responding to inquiries, requests, and complaints, and providing updates through newsletters, emails, or community portals.
How to become a Community Association Manager?
Becoming this manager involves a combination of education, relevant experience, and professional certification. Requirements may vary by association, and location.
Here is a breakdown of the typical steps:
Education Required:
While some positions may only require a high school diploma, associations prefer a higher level of education.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field is often sought after. Relevant fields include:
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- Business Administration
- Property Management
- Real Estate
- Hospitality Management
Essential Skills:
This manager needs a diverse set of skills to handle the job’s various responsibilities:
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- Financial Management: It may include Budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for interacting with residents, board members, and vendors.
- Organizational & Time Management: To manage multiple tasks, projects, and deadlines.
- Conflict Resolution: The ability to mediate disputes and enforce community rules fairly.
- Knowledge of Laws: Understanding the laws and regulations governing community associations (HOAs, condos).
Gain Relevant Experience
Experience in property management, real estate, or a related field is a significant asset.
- You may start with a role like an Assistant Community Manager to gain hands-on experience in the daily operations of a community association.
- Develop skills in areas like vendor management, scheduling maintenance, responding to maintenance requests, and attending board meetings.
2.3 Obtain Certification and/or Licensure:
Professional certification demonstrates a commitment to the field and a mastery of essential knowledge. Some states also require a specific license to practice.
- Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA): This is the foundational and most recognized international certification offered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB).
- Requirements: Typically requires completing a prerequisite course (like the Essentials of Community Association Management) or having at least two years of experience, and then passing the CMCA examination.
- State Licensure: Some states (like Florida) require a specific CAM license which involves completing pre-licensure education, passing a state examination, and a background check.
- Advanced Designations (Optional): For experienced managers, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) offers advanced credentials like:
- Association Management Specialist (AMS®)
- Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®) (the highest professional recognition)
Ongoing Professional Development
The industry constantly changes with new laws and best practices. To maintain most certifications (like the CMCA), you will need to complete continuing education credits and pay annual maintenance fees.
The best path for you will depend on your current background and your local job market!
What is the career path of a community manager?
This career offers an energetic and professional journey for you if you are interested in community building, property management or leadership. This manager oversees a residential community like association of home-owners. This career normally begins with completing bachelor degree in business. Normally a state requires this manager to get certificate which involves qualifying exams and on-going education courses.
The career path of a Community Association Manager (CAM) is a professional track within the property management industry, focused on residential community governance and operations.
Progression is typically marked by increasing levels of responsibility, the complexity of communities managed, and the attainment of specialized professional certifications.
Here is a common career path:
3.1 Entry-Level Roles (The Foundation):
These roles focus on learning the day-to-day operations and building essential administrative and people skills.
- Assistant Community Manager / Administrative Assistant:
- Focus: Support the senior manager with administrative tasks, resident communication, processing maintenance requests, and coordinating meeting materials.
- Education/Experience: Often requires a high school diploma, but a degree in business, real estate, or public administration is preferred by many employers.
- Sometimes an entry point, managing a smaller community where the manager works directly on the property.
3.2 Community Association Manager (The Core Role):
This is where you take on full responsibility for the management of one or more communities (a portfolio).
- Community Association Manager (CAM):
- Full management of community portfolios. It includes budgeting, financial reporting, contract negotiation, rule enforcement, and serving as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors.
- Attaining the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), administered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB), is the essential first step for professional recognition.
Community association manager career path salary in USA:
The salary for a Community Association Manager in the United States can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the size/complexity of the communities managed. CMCA designations from a Community Associations lead to higher compensation. The PCAM designation represents the highest level of achievement and commands the highest salaries.
Key Factors Influencing CAM Salary
Salaries are generally higher in major metropolitan areas and regions with a high cost of living, as well as those with a large number of active community associations (HOAs/Condos). Salary increases significantly with experience and the attainment of professional credentials.
Conclusion:
I have discussed what is community association manager Career Path. Community Association Manager keeps your neighborhood running smoothly, manages the budget for the community pool, and helps settle disputes between neighbors. He executes the policies and handles the day-to-day operations set forth by the volunteer Board of Directors. He keeps the community running smoothly, legally, and financially sound.
For Community Association Manager Career Path, you should improve your communication skills because it is not easy to satisfy all parties like directors and members. You should start with a role like an Assistant Community Manager to gain hands-on experience in the daily operations of a community association. You should attain the Certified Manager of Community Associations from the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) becuase it is the essential first step for professional recognition.
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