The Executive Director holds responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operations at an assisted living community. This is a management role, typically responsible for hiring mid-level management positions such as Assistant Executive Director, Human Resources Manager, Social Worker, Activities Director, and similar direct-reporting roles.

The Executive Director typically carries responsibility for managing all business-related activities to realize the company’s vision, meet short- and long-term goals and ensure the company’s positive image is upheld in the local region.

The Executive Director also has financial responsibilities, overseeing profit and loss for each department, a responsibility which must be carefully balanced with maintaining resident and family satisfaction. Executive Directors who are able to bring these two critical components together in perfect balance are the most successful in this career.

Assisted Living Executive Director Management Responsibilities

The Executive Director is often the highest-level management position with a physical presence at an assisted living community on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Director is responsible for coordinating, planning, implementing and directing all activities occurring on and off of the campus, spanning every aspect of operations.

In addition to planning and executing daily operations, the Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the processes implemented are effective and successful through ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Hiring is an essential component of the Executive Director role. Assembling a top-notch team of mid-level managers makes the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of employees less demanding while simultaneously fostering resident and family satisfaction.

Regulatory Guidelines and Procedures

Assisted living is a highly regulated industry. Specific regulations and standards vary from state to state, addressing factors such as staffing ratios, bed capacity, housekeeping and sanitation, food services, resident care and many other factors.

Failure to comply with assisted living regulations results in deficiencies on state surveys, requiring remediation and follow-up inspections by state regulating agencies, and in severe cases may result in fines and penalties or the loss of licensure. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring all departments are operating within applicable regulatory guidelines.

Additional Responsibilities for Assisted Living Executive Directors

• The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable state, federal and local regulations and guidelines pertaining to the operation of a senior living community, in all departments including resident care, social services, activities, housekeeping, dining and sales and marketing.
• The Executive Director is also responsible for establishing and meeting a community budget, allocating funds accordingly to each department and ensuring that each department operates within the established budget.
• The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the operation of all departments, coordinating meetings with department heads and key staff members and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of department activities.
• Fosters a positive and supportive working environment, recruiting and training team members who share the senior living company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, top-quality resident care in a nurturing, home-like environment.
• Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, rapidly and readily addressing potential concerns from family members and referral sources, developing win-win solutions in line with the company’s vision and long-term goals.
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate employees to facilitate a positive, highly functioning, team-oriented working environment that fosters top-quality resident care.
• Develop and implement an employee and resident safety program in line with both federal/state regulations and company standard practices and procedures.

Typical Background Requirements for Executive Director Roles

There is no standard, specific degree program that prepares an individual for a career as an Executive Director at an assisted living community. That said, there are a number of degree programs that offer relevant coursework such as health care administration, social work, psychology, health care finance and accounting, and business administration.

The specific prerequisites vary from state to state, but most assisted living communities require candidates to hold a state certification. In many states, a minimum of two years of college or a Bachelor’s degree is required to be eligible for certification. Additionally, candidates must also typically have several years of experience working directly with residents in an assisted living community or similar senior living setting.

Continuing education is also required in most states, with the number of hours varying from state-to-state but generally ranging between 20 and 40 hours annually or bi-annually.

Executive Director, Assisted Living job descriptions typically outline the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution. A degree in Gerontology, Business Administration, Human Resources Management or a similar field of study related to elderly care and services is strongly preferred.
• 2-3 years’ experience in an Executive Director or similar management role. Senior living management experience is strongly preferred.
• Current Assisted Living Administrator or Long-Term Care Administrator license, applicable to state and local regulations.
• Ability to demonstrate successful operations experience related to assisted living, independent living, Memory Care or a similar senior living environment.

Pre-requisite requirements not directly tied to state and federal regulations or certification requirements are sometimes negotiable. Working with a recruitment firm specializing in the senior living industry is helpful for positioning your background and experience in a manner in line with the company’s requirements and expectations, dramatically boosting your odds of landing an interview.

Interested in an Executive Director position at a senior living community? Send us your resume today.