August 27th, 2025
Everything you need to know about trust accounting systems and payment platforms
Property Management
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Smart recruitment moves when the talent pool runs dry.
Ask any agency owner or department head… exceptional Property Managers are in short supply.
It’s a role that demands a rare mix of empathy, organisation, resilience and sharp attention to detail. But when the job ads go unanswered or the applicants fall short, it’s time to think differently.
The good news? Many of the skills required in property management exist in other professions. With the right onboarding and systems in place, transitioning them into your team can be a game-changer.
Here are some of the top roles worth headhunting when you’re struggling to fill a PM position:
Accounts Receivable Officers
Where they shine: Trust accounting, arrears management, financial compliance and managing jobs.
These professionals already have the money-handling skills many PMs find daunting. They’re familiar with rent collection cycles, reconciling accounts and liaising with tenants over outstanding payments.
Bonus points if they’ve worked in a high-volume environment and are comfortable on the phone, they’ll already be used to managing tough conversations with clarity and calm.
Project Coordinators (Construction, Events, Admin)
Where they shine: Logistics, timelines and supplier management.
Project coordinators are wired to juggle multiple deadlines and keep people and processes on track.
That makes them perfect for roles like inspection and vacate management, repairs and maintenance coordination or even support roles that involve onboarding new clients or properties.
They’re already used to following complex workflows, just plug them into your property systems.
Insurance Claims Officers
Where they shine: Compliance, multi-party negotiations and difficult conversations.
Claims officers are pros at process. They’re used to handling distressed customers, navigating compliance hurdles and coordinating with trades, insurers and assessors.
That makes them ideal for more complex tenancy management, strata-heavy roles or supporting your maintenance and tribunal teams.
Bonus: Your contacts and properties will have exceptional notes recorded against each conversation.
Social Workers, Community Support Officers or Police Officers
Where they shine: Conflict resolution, empathy and high-stress environments.
Not your usual PM recruitment pool… but hear us out. These professionals are trained in de-escalation, reading between the lines and managing vulnerable people.
If you have affordable housing clients, high-needs tenants or portfolios that involve regular tribunal work, these skills are absolute gold.
Ex-Defence Personnel
Where they shine: Discipline, procedures and team mentality.
Former defence staff bring unmatched structure, loyalty and a calm, solutions-focused approach to their work.
They’re quick to learn systems, great at following process and often bring leadership qualities that can lift the culture of a team.
Consider them for PM support, trust roles or even leadership development programs.
Web Administrators
Where they shine: Workflow automations, data health and system administration.
While they may not have property experience, web admins are often excellent problem solvers who live in backend systems.
In a PM team, they can oversee portfolio data, build time-saving templates and help automate repetitive processes.
Think trust receipting, bills processing and rent review tracking. With their eye for systems, they can bring order to chaos in even the busiest portfolios.
Flight Attendants or Customer Service Agents
Where they shine: Frontline communications, leasing and tenant experience.
These roles are all about being calm under pressure, dealing with a broad range of personalities and delivering service with empathy.
They’re great with face-to-face interactions, managing expectations and following up on requests.
Translate that into property management and you’ve got a strong candidate for leasing roles, enquiry handling or tenant onboarding.
The Wrap-Up
Exceptional Property Managers are a rare breed and for good reason. The role requires a powerful blend of people skills, process thinking and emotional stamina that few other professions demand all at once. But that doesn’t mean the next great PM can’t be found outside the usual talent pool.
With the right training, support systems and cultural onboarding, candidates from adjacent industries can thrive and even surpass expectations. By hiring for potential and investing in development, you’re not just filling a gap, you’re building the next generation of standout Property Managers.
