Executive Director (Senior Living)

About Discovery Management Group

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation’s most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing.

As part of one of the largest senior living families in the U.S., our communities have earned Great Place to Work® certifications from 2022–2027. At Discovery Management Group, purpose guides our work, culture fuels our success, and growth defines our future. 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 at The Summit!

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 

Why Join Us

Discovery 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 & Values

So 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 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). 

Equal Opportunity Employer

We 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/V

A Note to Applicants

This 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 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.

Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening

Discovery 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 Floridais 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:.