How Property Management Education May Evolve: The Next Generation of Leaders
September 7, 2026 – 11:05 am
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A discussion about future training can start with the skills employers expect to value. According to The World Economic Forum, surveyed employers expected 39% of workers’ core skills to change by 2030. Analytical thinking topped the list, followed by technological literacy, empathy, active listening, and lifelong learning.
The research covers multiple industries, so it doesn’t determine what property management programs need to teach. It provides broader context for considering how professional education could evolve.
For property management, this discussion might include balancing traditional real estate subjects with newer technological tools. Courses may continue covering areas like budgets, leases, maintenance, financial operations, and tenant communication.
Educators could also introduce methods for assessing AI-supported analysis, verifying information, and identifying when more context is needed. The emphasis would vary based on role, property type, and experience level.
Recent real estate research offers a compelling reason to ask this question. PwC reported that firms were exploring AI for administrative and recurring tasks with consistent deliverables. While job transformation is more common than employee replacement at this early stage, understanding how to responsibly review and apply AI-supported work is crucial for future managers.
Technology is only one aspect of the training discussion. Deloitte estimated in 2024 that nearly 40% of the U.S. real estate workforce would reach retirement age within a decade, with existing leaders facing even higher percentages. Two-way mentorship has emerged as a potential response, allowing experienced professionals to share sector knowledge while younger colleagues familiarize teams with digital tools.
Bob Murray, with over four decades in residential and commercial real estate, serves as a commercial property manager at Playhouse Square Management. He also presides over the IREM Northern Ohio Chapter.
“Education can keep the fundamentals in view while making room for how the work is changing,” Murray explains. In his experience, property management involves financial analysis, physical operations, and conversations among individuals with diverse priorities. Therefore, finance, accounting, budgeting, and management are useful areas of study for newcomers.
Digital systems organize information, but managers still need to interpret figures relevant to specific owners, tenants, or properties. Murray suggests that a business or finance background can provide a solid foundation, encouraging individuals to ask more informed questions. Technological fluency, including learning to use AI, is also essential.