Executive Director (Senior Living)

Discovery Senior Living

$150K — $160K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Hospitality, or related field 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, must be an LNHA
  • 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)

Responsibilities

  • Oversee day-to-day operations across all departments for efficiency and compliance
  • Ensure compliance with all regulations and organizational standards
  • Maintain community financials, budgets, and operational performance metrics
  • Drive achievement of occupancy, NOI, and resident engagement targets
  • Champion a resident-centered model of care prioritizing service and engagement
  • Provide visible leadership and support to department heads and community team members
  • Partner with sales team to drive occupancy and maximize revenue

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Paid training and career growth opportunities
  • Wellness-related benefits
  • Additional support through Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Full Job Description


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

Your Role:

As the Executive Director, your role includes providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure exceptional service, financial performance, and a vibrant community culture. You will represent the community externally, foster collaboration internally, and lead by example through clear communication, accountability, and compassionate leadership.

Position Highlights:
  • Status: Full Time
  • Schedule: Traditional leadership workweek with flexibility required based on business and operational needs that includes Manager on Duty hours as well as on call for emergency situations.
  • Location: Hockessin, DE (On-site)
  • Rate of Pay: $150,000-$160,000 annually, plus eligibility for a 20% annual bonus

What You'll Do:

Operational Leadership
  • Oversee day-to-day operations 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

Customer-Focused Culture
  • 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

Team & Talent Development
  • 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

Business Development & Sales Strategy
  • 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

Assisted Living / Memory Care (as applicable)
  • 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 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 with extensive experience in IL, AL, MC - must be an LNHA
  • 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

Benefits You'll Enjoy

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes 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, and additional support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).



Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.

Employment Scam Warning

We only post jobs on our official careers site and accept applications through that platform. We do not conduct interviews via text or social media or ask for personal or banking information.

JOB CODE: 1009063

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