Executive Director at ROYAL OAKS – Sun City, Arizona

Position Summary:

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior on-site leader, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Aventur. The ED is responsible for the overall strategic and operational performance of the Continuing Care Retirement Community, which includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Operating within a mission-driven, not-for-profit framework, the ED ensures the delivery of high-quality resident-centered services, sound financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, team development, and strong community relationships. The ED partners closely with the Chief Operating Officer to align local operations with the parent organization’s strategic objectives, values, and policies.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Strategic Management

• Provide visionary leadership for all campus operations, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term strategic goals.
• Develop and implement annual operating plans, performance goals, and long-range initiatives.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, resident-centered service, and ethical behavior.
• Serve as liaison between the community and the parent organization, communicating performance, needs, risks, and opportunities.
• Will attend scheduled meetings and work with the standing committees and department directors to discuss operations, report on status and progress, and ensure meeting minutes are posted on the Board portal in a timely manner.
• Will work with the Development Director of the People of Faith Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) to discuss relevant needs and improvements that may be supported by the Foundation. Will attend scheduled meetings and ensure meeting minutes are posted to the Board portal in a timely manner.
• Will work with the Board of Trustees, according to the Community Bylaws, publish calendar of meetings, attend meetings and ensure meeting minutes are posted to the Board portal in a timely manner.
• Will work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees and the President of the Foundation to develop meeting agendas and facilitate the strategy of both organizations.

2. Operations Oversight

• Direct daily operations across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, ensuring all services meet or exceed quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee the Leadership Team and day-to-day operations of the community.
• Ensure emergency preparedness plans are maintained, updated, and executed effectively.
• Implement and lead continuous improvement efforts, optimizing processes, systems ensuring efficient operations, and resident experience.

3. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing senior living, healthcare, and not-for-profit administration.
• Maintain licensure requirements for Assisted Living and Memory Care programs.
• Oversee health and safety initiatives, quality assurance metrics, audit readiness, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Serve as primary contact for regulatory agencies, media and legal entities

4. Financial Management

• Oversee development, implementation, and monitoring of annual budgets in partnership with the (Chief Operating Officer, Aventur) COO and Aventur finance leadership.
• Ensure effective revenue cycle management, cost control, occupancy strategies, and stewardship of community assets.
• Analyze financial performance trends and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Support fundraising and development initiatives as appropriate in collaboration with the parent organization.
• Will work with department heads to prepare annual operational and capital budgets to present to the Finance Committee and ensure meeting minutes are posted on the Board portal in a timely manner.

5. Resident Experience & Engagement

• Ensure residents receive high-quality, person-centered care and services that enhance quality of life and promote independence.
• Maintain strong resident and family communication through meetings, forums, and open-door policies.
• Oversee resident satisfaction initiatives and implement solutions to address concerns.
• Promote resident dignity, respect, autonomy, and community involvement.

6. Staff Leadership & Human Resources

• Recruit, mentor, and supervise department leaders, ensuring effective staffing across all service areas.
• Foster a positive organizational culture that supports professional development, high performance, and staff engagement.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, staff training requirements, and employee relations standards.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration, and clear communication across departments.

7. Community Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the community within the local region, maintaining strong partnerships with civic, healthcare, faith-based, and service organizations.
• Serve as ambassador for the organization's mission, enhancing awareness and reputation.
• Collaborate with marketing and admissions teams to support occupancy, outreach, and brand awareness efforts.
• Support donor relations, volunteer engagement, and other community-building initiatives.

8. Collaboration with Parent Organization

• Work with the COO and corporate leadership on strategic planning, organizational initiatives, and policies.
• Provide accurate and timely reports, performance metrics, forecasts, and assessments.
• Implement parent organization directives and ensure consistent application of organizational standards across the campus.

Full understanding of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse. Is responsible for promptly reporting to the COO of Aventur incidents or evidence of resident abuse or a violation of residents’ rights.

Protects and promotes resident rights, including confidentially, privacy, dignity, and freedom from abuse.

Maintains the comfort, privacy, confidentiality and dignity of each resident in the delivery of services. Interacts with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment.

Maintains confidentiality for residents to meet privacy guidelines.

Ensures organizational and departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines, as well as federal, state, and local regulations are met and followed.

Assists in maintaining a safe, neat, and clean environment. Reports all deficiencies to the appropriate person, such as equipment problems, need for repair or special needs of residents.

Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures without causing harm or risk to self, others or property.

Has ability to read, understand, follow and enforce safety procedures.

Attends and participates in training activities, meetings, and seminars as required.

Exhibits qualities of a team player, interacts courteously and appropriately, maintains a positive attitude. Addresses problems and conflicts in a professional and respectful manner.

Demonstrates excellent customer service etiquette with all levels of staff residents, and guests.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Mission & Values Commitment

The Executive Director is expected to promote the organization’s mission, uphold its values, and cultivate a culture of respect, inclusivity, integrity, and service excellence in all aspects of leadership and community life.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Actively engages in new employee selection, interviewing, hiring and ensuring that initial and ongoing training/orientation programs are in place.

Follows the organization’s Human Resources procedures with employee interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, delivering corrective action, evaluating performance and termination. This list is not all inclusive and you are encouraged to consult with Human Resources with any questions or concerns.

Addresses and resolves complaints and problems and coordinates with Human Resources any actions related to discipline and termination.

Develop and maintain a high level of staff morale and motivation, allowing for opportunities of learning and growth.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Must be able to complete training on computer and/or other devices.

Maintain competency in the position and knowledge of trade/industry advances and new technologies.

Must be able to effectively communicate in English with all levels of staff, residents, and guests.

Strong understanding of aging services, resident-centered care, and senior living industry trends.

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to build consensus, manage complex operations, and lead through change.

Demonstrated financial acumen and strategic thinking.

Compassionate commitment to serving older adults in a mission-driven, not-for-profit environment.

Federal, state and county laws, regulations codes and policies affecting the fiscal activities of a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and personnel management.

Strong leadership and consensus building skills; health care management and strategic planning experience.

Knowledge of current health care assisted living and independent living administration principles and practices.

Has ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required (Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Gerontology, or related field preferred).

Master’s degree is strongly preferred.

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an organization leadership role.

Experience overseeing Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care operations preferred.

Demonstrated success in financial management, staff leadership, and regulatory compliance.

Licenses and Certifications:

Has a current, valid driver’s license. Driving record must meet the criteria set forth by Royal Oaks’ insurance carrier.

Has current and valid Fingerprint clearance card or apply for one within 20 days of hire.

Has a Certificate of Completion for memory care services training or obtains one within 30 days of hire.

Additional licenses/certifications in health or finance related fields are a plus (e.g. certificate in gerontology, nursing home administration, assisted living manager certificate, CPA, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

Is able to carry/lift/push/pull up to 30 pounds.

May need to operate a fire extinguisher.

Is able to assist in evacuation procedures.

Primary work is performed in an office environment with regular presence throughout the campus.

Occasional evening or weekend work required to support operations, events, and emergency needs.

On-call availability as needed.