Community managers are the professional backbone of the community associations they serve, providing expertise that is crucial to the successful operation of homeowners associations, condominiums, cooperatives and other planned communities.
In 2018, there were an estimated 347,000 community associations in the United States, representing nearly 27 million housing units. An estimated 60-70% of these communities are professionally managed, and these numbers are projected to grow, as 61% of new housing built in the US is in a community association.
There are more than 55,000 community association managers, and more than 100,000 people work in as many as 8,000 management companies. These numbers continue to grow, providing stability and growth to the career of community association management.
Community Association Manager
High Rise Condominium Manager
Large Scale Community Manager
Portfolio Manager
Property Manager
Many of the most successful managers elevate their expertise and careers by taking advantage of CAI’s Professional Management Development Program, which includes 17 expert-led courses that address the many facets of
community management—including professional ethics.
Professionals who want to expand their knowledge and further accelerate their careers can earn the following credentials:
Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®)
Association Management Specialist (AMS®)
Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM®)
Large-Scale Manager (LSM®)
Community Associations Institute mission is Building Better Communities. CAI is dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, and competent community associations that promote harmony, community, and responsible leadership. We believe homeowner and condominium associations should strive to exceed the expectations of their residents. We work towards this goal by identifying and meeting the evolving needs of the professionals and volunteers who manage and govern associations, by being a trusted forum for the collaborative exchange of knowledge and information, and by helping our members learn, achieve, and excel. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideas reflected in associations that are preferred places to call home.
Many management companies and community associations will hire candidates with a college education. Eventually, many will require completion of the M-100: Essentials of Community Association Management course, and attainment of the Certified Manager of Community Associations certification. Find our more information here: https://www.camicb.org/get-certified
