Director of Operations

Highgate Senior Living; Issaquah (WA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement with employer match

Paid time off & parental leave

Life insurance

Health savings account

Job summary

Highgate Senior Living is seeking a collaborative, business-minded Director of Operations to lead across multiple communities. The role reports to the CEO and includes travel to communities, with opportunities to work remotely and time in the Issaquah office for collaboration and planning.

You will develop Executive Directors, strengthen financial performance, support occupancy and revenue growth, and translate strategy into practical action, all while maintaining a resident-centered culture.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressive senior management experience.
• Experience with budgets, forecasting, performance metrics, and financial analysis.
• Knowledge of senior living regulatory requirements and quality standards across states.
• Willingness to travel to assigned Highgate communities.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background screening.
• Administrator license in WA, CA, or AZ preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coach, mentor, and develop executive directors and leadership teams.
• Provide operational oversight across multiple senior living communities.
• Lead operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and KPIs.
• Partner with sales and community teams to improve occupancy and revenue.
• Support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Uphold resident-centered culture focused on independence, dignity, quality of life, and safety.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and quality assurance across communities.
• Collaborate with CEO and Home Office on priorities and initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes.

Skills

People leadership

Financial acumen

Strategic thinking

Communication coaching

Change management

Education

Licensed administrator (WA/CA/AZ)

Job description

Director of Operations | Highgate Senior Living

Compensation: $145,000–$158,000 per year, plus bonus potential

LOVE YOUR WORK. JOIN OUR TEAM.

A community, not a facility. Highgate Senior Living takes a holistic, person-first approach and encourages independence. We believe exceptional senior living begins with exceptional leadership, and we are looking for a collaborative, business-minded Director of Operations to help our communities thrive.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Operations provides leadership and operational oversight across Highgate communities. You’ll develop Executive Directors, strengthen operational and financial performance, support occupancy and revenue growth, and help translate organizational strategy into practical action.

This is a blended corporate role that includes community travel, opportunities to work remotely from home, and time in the Issaquah office for collaboration, meetings, planning, and administrative responsibilities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Coach, mentor, and develop Executive Directors and community leadership teams.
• Provide operational oversight across assigned senior living communities.
• Lead operating plans, annual budgets, financial forecasts, and key performance indicators.
• Partner with sales leadership and community teams to strengthen occupancy, revenue, and sustainable business performance.
• Support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Champion a resident-centered culture focused on independence, dignity, quality of life, and safety.
• Maintain strong operational standards, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance practices.
• Partner with the CEO, senior leadership, field specialists, and Home Office teams on organizational priorities and new initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, strengthen processes, and solve complex operational challenges.

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Strong business judgment with a people-first leadership approach.
• Financial acumen across budgeting, forecasting, revenue management, expense control, and performance analysis.
• Ability to develop leaders, build accountability, and strengthen team performance.
• Strategic thinking balanced with practical, hands-on operational problem-solving.
• Excellent communication, coaching, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable making decisions in a changing environment.
• Strong understanding of the connection between resident experience, team engagement, occupancy, and financial performance.

RELATABLE EXPERIENCE

• Multi-site senior living operations, including assisted living, independent living, and/or memory care.
• Regional or corporate operations leadership with responsibility for multiple locations or business units.
• Developing senior leaders and improving operational, financial, and people performance.
• Comparable multi-site operational leadership in a related service-based industry.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least five years of progressive senior management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing managers, and improving operational performance.
• Experience with budgets, forecasting, performance metrics, and financial analysis.
• Knowledge of senior living regulatory requirements and quality standards, preferably across multiple states.
• Ability to travel to assigned Highgate communities.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet applicable background screening requirements.
• Administrator license in Washington, California, or Arizona preferred.

WHY JOIN HIGHGATE

• Annual base salary of $145,000–$158,000, plus bonus potential.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to eligibility and plan terms.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Paid time off and paid parental leave, based on eligibility and applicable policy.
• Life insurance.
• Health savings account options.
• Employee assistance program.
• Professional development assistance and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Meaningful access to senior leadership and the opportunity to help shape organizational decisions.
• A people-first culture that values relationships, innovation, accountability, and thoughtful leadership.