Executive Director (Senior Living)

About the role

As the Executive Director, you’ll play an essential role in enriching the lives of seniors, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference every single day.

Responsibilities

• Operate day-to-day across all departments to ensure efficiency, compliance, and alignment with budgeted goals
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational and ownership standards
• Maintain full responsibility for community financials, budgets, and operational performance metrics
• Drive achievement of NOI, occupancy, and resident engagement targets
• Monitor and manage operating costs, labor, and collections in alignment with financial expectations
• Champion a resident-centered model of care that prioritizes service, dignity, and engagement
• Foster a supportive environment for residents, families, and team members alike
• Support all program areas—clinical, memory care, dining, and life enrichment—with functional oversight
• Hold regular Town Hall and/or Resident Council meetings, and ensure family communications and care plan reviews are consistent
• Provide visible leadership to department heads and community team members
• Hire, train, develop, and coach staff to achieve high performance and job satisfaction
• Implement policies and procedures that promote compliance, accountability, and professional growth
• Support an inclusive, collaborative, and performance-driven work culture
• Partner with the sales team to drive occupancy and maximize top-line revenue
• Contribute to pricing strategy and evaluate local market trends to maintain competitive positioning
• Cultivate and maintain relationships within the community to support lead generation and referrals
• Lead external business development strategy with clear accountabilities and measurable outcomes
• Ensure compliance with state AL/MC regulations, policies, and resident documentation
• Lead monthly “at-risk” meetings and family engagement efforts
• Oversee specialized programming (e.g., SHINE® Memory Care) to ensure effectiveness
• Ensure wellness and care plans are properly implemented and tracked

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Hospitality, or related field (required/preferred)
• Minimum 3 years of management experience, with at least 2 years as an Executive Director in senior living (AL/MC/IL)
• State-specific Administrator License/Certification required
• Proven success in census growth, operational leadership, and financial management
• Strong team leadership skills with experience in hiring, performance management, and coaching
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Experience with Medicaid (a plus, depending on state)
• Participation in rotating on-call schedule and Manager on Duty (MOD) coverage required

Why Join Us

Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2027! A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It’s just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• A 401(k) with employer match
• Paid training and career growth opportunities
• Wellness-related benefits
• Additional support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.