The Vice President of Memory Care provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Memory Care services across the Experience Senior Living portfolio. This executive develops and executes a comprehensive Memory Care strategy that promotes dignity, independence, engagement, safety, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional resident and family experience.
The Vice President establishes ESL's Memory Care philosophy, operating standards, training programs, quality measures, and performance expectations. This leader partners with Operations, Health and Wellness, Resident Experience, Culinary, Sales, Human Resources, and community leadership to ensure consistent execution across the portfolio.
The Vice President also supports new community openings, leadership transitions, challenged communities, program development, and organizational growth. The ideal candidate combines deep dementia-care expertise with strong operational judgment, financial acumen, strategic leadership, and the ability to develop scalable programs and high-performing leaders.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe following essential functions are fundamental job duties of the position and are to be performed with or without appropriate reasonable accommodation(s).
Memory Care Strategy and Portfolio Leadership- Develop and execute a comprehensive Memory Care strategy aligned with ESL's mission, growth plans, operating model, and resident experience standards.
- Establish and maintain ESL's Memory Care philosophy, policies, procedures, tools, quality measures, and performance expectations.
- Ensure Memory Care services are person-centered, evidence-informed, operationally sustainable, and consistently implemented across the portfolio.
- Translate organizational strategy into clear priorities and actionable expectations for divisional, community, and Memory Care leaders.
- Advise executive leadership regarding Memory Care performance, trends, risks, opportunities, and resource needs.
- Ensure community-specific practices remain responsive to local needs while aligning with ESL's core standards.
Quality Regulatory and Operational Oversight- Establish standards for resident care, engagement, safety, family communication, staffing, dining, programming, and quality assurance.
- Monitor community performance through site visits, operational reviews, quality data, incident trends, regulatory results, resident outcomes, and stakeholder feedback.
- Partner with Health and Wellness leadership to ensure assessments, service plans, medication practices, changes of condition, documentation, and care delivery meet resident needs and regulatory requirements.
- Identify trends involving falls, behaviors, incidents, hospitalizations, family concerns, resident retention, and other measures of program effectiveness.
- Develop and oversee corrective action and quality-improvement plans when performance gaps or areas of risk are identified.
- Support regulatory readiness, survey response, and plans of correction related to Memory Care operations.
- Monitor relevant regulatory and industry developments and incorporate appropriate changes into ESL's programs and practices.
- Establish reporting tools that allow community and company leaders to monitor performance, identify risks, and make informed decisions.
Community Support and Performance Improvement- Evaluate community-level performance and provide focused support to locations experiencing leadership vacancies, operational challenges, regulatory concerns, or declining resident or family satisfaction.
- Determine when specialized support is needed and deploy the Memory Care Specialist or other company resources appropriately.
- Partner with Operations and Finance to develop staffing models, labor expectations, department budgets, and resource plans that support resident needs and sustainable performance.
- Identify operational barriers and implement practical solutions that improve quality, consistency, accountability, and efficiency.
- Promote effective transitions following leadership changes, community interventions, or temporary specialist assignments.
- Share successful practices and lessons learned across communities to improve portfolio performance.
Leadership and Team Development- Provide leadership, direction, and development to the Memory Care Specialist and other assigned team members.
- Establish clear expectations and leadership competencies for Directors of Memory Care and other leaders responsible for Memory Care services.
- Partner with Operations and Human Resources to support the recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, performance management, and retention of Memory Care leaders.
- Develop and oversee education related to dementia, communication, engagement, behaviors, family support, leadership, and ESL's Memory Care philosophy.
- Coach Executive Directors, Directors of Memory Care, Health and Wellness leaders, and other community leaders on program execution and operational challenges.
- Create succession plans and development opportunities that strengthen ESL's internal pipeline of Memory Care talent.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and shared accountability for the resident and family experience.
Resident Family and Lifestyle Experience- Establish expectations for individualized resident experiences that reflect each resident's abilities, interests, routines, preferences, relationships, and life story.
- Ensure meaningful engagement is incorporated throughout the resident's day and is not limited to scheduled programming.
- Partner with Resident Experience leadership to develop purposeful and adaptable Memory Care programming, calendars, tools, and resources.
- Establish family communication, education, orientation, and support practices that build trust and productive partnerships.
- Review resident and family feedback and ensure recurring concerns are addressed through sustainable operational improvements.
- Promote dining, environmental, and hospitality practices that support comfort, independence, social connection, and belonging.
- Serve as an executive resource for complex resident or family situations when additional support is needed.
Program Development and Organizational Growth- Evaluate and refine ESL's Memory Care model based on resident outcomes, family feedback, team experience, regulatory developments, and evolving dementia-care practices.
- Develop standardized assessments, operating tools, training resources, communication materials, and quality-review processes.
- Evaluate technology, products, partnerships, and services that may improve resident quality of life, team effectiveness, or operational performance.
- Establish pilot programs, evaluate outcomes, and determine whether initiatives should be refined, expanded, or discontinued.
- Partner with Development, Design, Construction, Operations, and Sales to support new community openings and acquisitions.
- Provide operational input during planning and design to ensure Memory Care neighborhoods support safety, independence, engagement, staffing, and efficient operations.
- Oversee Memory Care readiness for new openings, including leader recruitment, team training, operating systems, resident assessments, family communication, and program implementation.
- Support Sales and Marketing in accurately communicating ESL's Memory Care philosophy, services, and value proposition.
- Maintain relationships with professional organizations, dementia-care experts, educational institutions, and other external resources.
Cross Functional and Executive Partnership- Partner with Operations, Health and Wellness, Resident Experience, Culinary, Sales, Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, and other departments to align priorities and resolve complex issues.
- Provide executive leadership with clear, objective, and actionable information regarding portfolio performance, risks, trends, and recommended solutions.
- Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, organizational initiatives, and other executive-level responsibilities.
- Build strong relationships with community leaders while maintaining appropriate accountability for standards and results.
- Represent ESL as a knowledgeable and credible Memory Care leader with professional groups, partners, and industry stakeholders.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding residents, families, team members, and company information.
Travel and Schedule Expectations- Travel regularly throughout the Experience Senior Living portfolio to assess operations, support leaders, address community needs, and assist with new openings.
- Maintain flexibility to respond to urgent operational, regulatory, resident, or leadership needs.
- Work a varied schedule when necessary, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended periods away from home.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in gerontology, nursing, healthcare administration, social services, behavioral health, therapeutic recreation, operations, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Ten or more years of progressive experience in senior living, dementia care, healthcare, or a related resident-service environment.
- Five or more years of successful multi-site, regional, or corporate leadership experience with responsibility for Memory Care programs or operations.
- Extensive knowledge of dementia disease processes and person-centered practices that promote dignity, independence, engagement, safety, and quality of life.
- Demonstrated success developing and implementing Memory Care programs, operating standards, training, quality measures, and scalable systems.
- Strong working knowledge of assisted living and Memory Care regulations, regulatory surveys, quality assurance, risk management, and resident care documentation.
- Experience leading through operational challenges, regulatory concerns, leadership transitions, new openings, acquisitions, or organizational growth.
- Ability to interpret operational and quality data, identify trends, establish priorities, and implement sustainable improvements.
- Demonstrated success developing leaders, managing performance, building teams, and influencing individuals at multiple organizational levels.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgets, staffing models, labor management, resource planning, and operational performance.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, relationship-building, and executive communication skills.
- Certified Dementia Practitioner, dementia-care trainer credential, or comparable professional certification preferred.
- Proficiency with computers and the ability to learn company systems and technology.
- Valid driver's license and ongoing compliance with ESL's Motor Vehicle Policy.
- Ability to meet applicable state-specific training, certification, background, health, and regulatory requirements.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE- Translate ESL's strategy and Memory Care philosophy into clear, scalable, and measurable operating practices.
- Identify portfolio risks and performance gaps early and take decisive, appropriate action.
- Balance quality, regulatory compliance, resident experience, team effectiveness, and financial sustainability.
- Lead effectively through growth, change, uncertainty, and complex operational challenges.
- Develop capable leaders and establish accountability for consistent execution and measurable results.
- Build productive relationships with residents, families, team members, community leaders, executive leadership, and external partners.
- Communicate clearly, objectively, and professionally, including during sensitive or high-pressure situations.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, strategic thinking, adaptability, integrity, and a commitment to ESL's mission, vision, and values.
BenefitsWe offer a full benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life and voluntary life, 401k with employer matching, paid holidays, and up to 20 days PTO in the first three years.
Application Deadline: We anticipate reviewing applications through November 27th, 2026.
Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000 annual salary, 30% annual bonus target 
