Sales Specialist - Chicago Region

This position is located in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas, requiring 90% travel including overnights in an assigned region.

About Cedarhurst

Cedarhurst Senior Living is a leading provider of senior living communities, dedicated to enriching the lives of residents through exceptional care and personalized services. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Cedarhurst creates vibrant environments where seniors can thrive and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle.

Why Work For Cedarhurst

At Cedarhurst, our core values guide how we work together and how we care for those we serve. We expect every team member to be passionate, trustworthy, empathetic, positive, respectful, and approachable. Being part of Cedarhurst means making a meaningful difference every day.

We invest in comprehensive training and opportunities for both personal and professional growth. We’re committed to promoting from within and supporting team members who want to build their careers with us.

Cedarhurst offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with company match (after one year of service) for eligible employees
• GROW Points—a unique rewards system that celebrates your hard work and dedication
• Exclusive Skechers shoe discounts
• Early paycheck access

Position Summary

As a Sales Specialist, you will connect with and positively impact the lives of residents daily. This specialized role assists and/or directs the marketing and sales efforts in assigned communities or regions within Cedarhurst Senior Living. This position is part of the corporate support team but will work in communities and/or regions as assigned.

The role includes creating and executing sound sales and marketing plans in assigned communities. You will be responsible for selling the community through external business development and advancing leads through the sales process to meet established goals. This role also supports Regional Sales Directors or Area Sales Managers in onboarding and training other sales-oriented roles.

You will lead and coordinate moves and transfers of residents within the community, assist the Director of Sales with database management, new lead response, and tours. You will seek to increase awareness of Cedarhurst Senior Living and our mission to create communities where each person feels loved, valued, supported, and able to live life to the fullest.

Responsibilities

• Function as the primary contact for phone inquiries and walk-in visitors to drive occupancy.
• Responsible for outside marketing to increase professional referrals.
• Discover the needs of prospective residents and their families and attempt to find appropriate solutions (including a move to Assisted Living, Memory Care, or Independent Living).
• Conduct appropriate follow-up activities to facilitate positive, trusting, and valuable relationships.
• Create and cultivate productive relationships with other businesses and resources for senior adults to offer resources to prospects and receive referrals.
• Document all planned and completed marketing activities in a provided database, in accordance with standards established by the support team.
• Monitor marketing budgets and spend lead generation dollars according to campaign needs.
• Strategize with VP of Sales, Regional Director of Sales, Area Sales Directors, and portfolio Executive Directors to develop creative programs identifying and connecting with key referral sources, and nurture those relationships.
• Work with the Executive Director to help staff maximize opportunities for resident and family-member referrals, ensuring timely follow-up and execution of next steps.
• Assist VP of Sales, Regional Director of Sales, Area Sales Directors, and Executive Director in developing and updating a marketing plan monthly or as needed to address changing conditions or opportunities.
• Assist the Executive Director in developing Cedarhurst associates’ skills in building relationships, discovering needs, overcoming objections, closing, and follow-up marketing.
• Assist the community in exploring strategic sales approaches for all prospects during coaching sessions.
• Meet travel requirements: frequent local travel to communities with occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.
• Two or more years of successful sales experience (2-5 years preferred), with prior experience in senior living strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated sales closing skills with a consistent record of high occupancy results.
• CPR or BLS certification preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in common digital tools and applications, including Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Excel, Word), web-based platforms, electronic health record systems, and HR-related systems.

Working Conditions

• May need to walk or stand for extended periods and move throughout the community, resident apartments, and other areas.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, or balance.
• Required to communicate effectively and identify/interpret written information.
• May need to lift up to fifty (50) pounds independently and up to 200 pounds with assistance.
• Required to follow all infection prevention and control protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.
• Actively participate in staff activities aimed at fostering teamwork, unity, and morale.
• Required to stay current on all training and ongoing education initiatives, pursuing self-improvement and continuous learning.

Pay

$100,000 per year