Executive Director (Senior Living)

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAbout LakeHouse Senior LivingLakeHouse Senior Living operates care and lifestyle-focused Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities across five states, serving approximately thousands of residents and families. Guided by our Pillars of Excellence, LakeHouse fosters a culture of connection, authenticity, and purpose where residents feel at home and Team Members feel inspired to learn, grow, and lead.As part of one of the largest senior living families in the United States, LakeHouse communities have earned Great Place to Work® certifications from 2022–2027. LakeHouse is a place where purpose thrives, culture unites us, and opportunity is always present. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members’ professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career.Discover Your Purpose with Us atOak Gardens Place!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 TIMESchedule: 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 situationsLocation: Altoona, WIRate of Pay: $85k-$90k Base + 20% Annual Performance Target BonusTravel: Limited for a regional meeting or trainingWhy You'll Love This Community:Welcome to Oak Gardens Place, offering Assisted Living in Altoona, WI, with a small, home-like feel and an easy rhythm that fits the Chippewa Valley. Step outside for fresh air in the outdoor spaces, linger in the lounge with a neighbor, or settle in for a relaxed movie night when you want a simple evening close to home.Choose from suite and one-bedroom apartments, all designed with kitchenettes and practical storage. With supportive help close by and a community that feels welcoming from the start, it is a place where routines stay familiar and days feel comfortable.What You’ll Do:Operational LeadershipOversee day-to-day operations across all departments to ensure efficiency, compliance, and alignment with budgeted goalsEnsure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational and ownership standardsMaintain full responsibility for community financials, budgets, and operational performance metricsDrive achievement of NOI, occupancy, and resident engagement targetsMonitor and manage operating costs, labor, and collections in alignment with financial expectationsCustomer-Focused CultureChampion a resident-centered model of care that prioritizes service, dignity, and engagementFoster a supportive environment for residents, families, and team members alikeSupport all program areas—clinical, memory care, dining, and life enrichment—with functional oversightHold regular Town Hall and/or Resident Council meetings, and ensure family communications and care plan reviews are consistentTeam & Talent DevelopmentProvide visible leadership to department heads and community team membersHire, train, develop, and coach staff to achieve high performance and job satisfactionImplement policies and procedures that promote compliance, accountability, and professional growthSupport an inclusive, collaborative, and performance-driven work cultureBusiness Development & Sales StrategyPartner with the sales team to drive occupancy and maximize top-line revenueContribute to pricing strategy and evaluate local market trends to maintain competitive positioningCultivate and maintain relationships within the community to support lead generation and referralsLead external business development strategy with clear accountabilities and measurable outcomesAssisted Living / Memory Care (as applicable)Ensure compliance with state AL/MC regulations, policies, and resident documentationLead monthly “at-risk” meetings and family engagement effortsOversee specialized programming (e.g., SHINE® Memory Care) to ensure effectivenessEnsure wellness and care plans are properly implemented and trackedQualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Hospitality, or related field preferredMinimum 3 years of management experience, with at least 2 years as an Executive Director in senior living requiredState-specific Administrator License/Certification as required by state (RCAC & CBRF’s in the state of Wisconsin)Proven success in census growth, operational leadership, and financial managementStrong team leadership skills with experience in hiring, performance management, and coachingExcellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skillsExperience with Medicaid (a plus, depending on state)Participation in rotating on-call schedule and Manager on Duty (MOD) coverage requiredWhy Join UsDiscovery Senior Living 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.Find out what makes working at Discovery unique in the world of senior living. Discover Your Purpose!Our Culture & ValuesSo often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we’re unified by certain, core values, which we call our “Pillars of Excellence.” They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY.Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.Benefits You’ll EnjoyFor 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).Equal Opportunity EmployerWe are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/VA Note to ApplicantsThis job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis.Agency PolicyWe do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.Employment Scam WarningWe 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.Regulatory Compliance & Background ScreeningDiscovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state-mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint-based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access.Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state-specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members.Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: