Executive Director Independent Living

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Independent Living is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic management, and day-to-day operations of an independent living community. This position ensures the delivery of an exceptional resident experience by fostering a vibrant, engaging, and service-oriented environment where residents can thrive with autonomy and dignity. The Executive Director oversees all operational departments including resident services, dining, housekeeping, maintenance, activities, marketing, and administration. This role is accountable for financial performance, regulatory compliance, census growth, team development, and the overall culture of the community. The Executive Director serves as the face of the community to residents, families, team members, and external stakeholders, upholding the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Values at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to all components of the above position summary the following “Essential Duties and Responsibilities” are essential to successful performance in this position.

Essential Functions

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of the independent living community, creating and sustaining a culture of excellence, respect, and resident-centered service.
• Oversee daily operations of all departments including resident services, dining, environmental services, maintenance, activities and programming, transportation, marketing, and administrative functions.
• Drive census growth and community occupancy through collaboration with the sales and marketing team, participation in outreach efforts, and maintaining strong relationships with referral sources and community partners.
• Develop, implement, and manage the annual operating budget; monitor financial performance including revenue, expense management, and variance analysis, reporting results to regional leadership.
• Ensure the community meets or exceeds all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; maintain current licensure and all required permits for independent living operations.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain a high-performing team of team members; foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching and development, and manage disciplinary processes in accordance with company policy and applicable employment law.
• Ensure all team members complete required training, certifications, and continuing education in a timely manner; maintain accurate training records.
• Oversee the development and execution of a robust resident activities and lifestyle programming calendar that promotes socialization, wellness, intellectual engagement, and community involvement.
• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with residents and their families; serve as an accessible and responsive point of contact for concerns, feedback, and community updates.
• Facilitate resident council meetings, family communications, and community events to foster transparency, engagement, and a strong sense of community.
• Respond promptly and professionally to resident and family concerns or complaints, ensuring timely resolution and follow-through.
• Oversee the move-in and move-out processes to ensure seamless transitions and a welcoming experience for incoming residents and families.
• Collaborate with the maintenance team to ensure the physical plant is well-maintained, safe, and aesthetically appealing; oversee capital improvement projects and vendor relationships.
• Ensure dining services meet high standards of quality, variety, nutrition, and hospitality; participate in menu reviews and resident dining satisfaction initiatives.
• Implement and maintain emergency preparedness plans, safety protocols, and disaster response procedures; conduct regular drills and ensure all team members are trained accordingly.
• Monitor resident satisfaction through surveys, rounding, and direct engagement; develop and execute action plans to continuously improve the resident experience.
• Ensure proper handling and protection of resident personal and financial information in compliance with all applicable privacy laws and company policy.
• Maintain open and effective communication with regional leadership, providing regular reports on operational performance, census, staffing, and community initiatives.
• Represent the community positively in the local marketplace through networking, civic engagement, and participation in senior living and business associations.
• Complete and submit all required regulatory, incident, and operational reports to appropriate agencies and internal leadership in a timely and accurate manner.
• Identify and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, team member engagement, and resident satisfaction.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises department heads and managers including, but not limited to, the Culinary Director, Maintenance Director, Activities Director, Business Office Manager, and Community Outreach Director. Indirectly supervises all community team members. Responsible for full-cycle people management including hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and separations in accordance with company policy and applicable employment law.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Hospitality Management, Gerontology, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of senior living management experience, with at least two (2) years in an Executive Director, Administrator, or equivalent leadership role.
• Prior experience in independent living, active adult communities, or hospitality-focused senior living environments strongly preferred.
• Current applicable state licensure or administrator certification as required by state regulations for independent living community leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, P&L responsibility, and financial reporting.
• Proven track record of census growth, occupancy management, and sales collaboration.
• Must successfully pass a background check, drug screening, and any state-mandated health clearances per company policy and applicable regulations.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• CPR/First Aid certification required or must be obtained within 30 days of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this position successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Demonstrated commitment and adherence to the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Strong knowledge of independent living operations, senior lifestyle programming, hospitality standards, and resident-centered service models.
• Understanding of applicable federal and state regulations governing independent living and senior housing communities.
• Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a diverse team at all levels.
• Strong financial acumen including budget development, P&L management, expense control, and variance analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with residents, families, team members, vendors, and community partners.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; ability to present information clearly and professionally to varied audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and community management or EHR software systems.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills with the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
• Knowledge of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other applicable employment laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive, positive workplace culture with low turnover and high team member engagement.
• Commitment to resident rights, dignity, autonomy, and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Flexibility to respond to community needs outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and on-call situations as required.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to changing regulatory requirements, company initiatives, and operational best practices.

BENEFITS:

• Dental Plan

•  Vision Plan
• Health Insurance

• Critical Illness and

•  Accident Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

•  Health and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending (FSAs)
• Paid Vacation, Sick, Holiday, Bereavement Leave

• Tuition reimbursement
• Team Member Referral Program
• Spot Pet Insurance – up to 20% discount for employees

Pay scale  $90,000.00 - $110,000 /year DOE