Executive Director

Cohere Life; Buckeye (AZ); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage on day one

Employer-paid dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Employer-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, LT

Paid holidays

Job summary

Cohere Life seeks an Executive Director to lead Verrado, a large, complex master‑planned community in Buckeye, Arizona. You will direct operations, governance, engagement, and communications across multiple entities, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on oversight and relationship management.

The role requires 10–15 years in community-based management, CAI CMCA/PCAM (or college degree) preferred, and a track record of guiding budgets, governance, and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a large-scale organization or master-planned community.
• Proven ability to develop and monitor budgets and strategic plans.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with boards, residents, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead Verrado's on-site Community Life team across operations, governance, engagement, and communications.
• Oversee and balance strategic leadership with attention to detail in a complex organization.
• Build relationships with residents, boards, developer partners, vendors, and volunteers.
• Develop and oversee budgets and operating plans; report results to boards and stakeholders.
• Advance long-term community strategy and governance across multiple entities.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Governance

Education

CAI CMCA or PCAM designation

College degree

Job description

Description

Executive Director

Verrado | Buckeye, Arizona

$190,000–$200,000 + Up to 10% Annual Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits + 16 Paid Holidays

Hiring range based on experience, skills, and qualifications. Annual bonus eligibility is based on goal achievement.

Collaboration. Authenticity. Connection. Balance.

At Cohere, we believe community is the most valuable amenity.

We do more than manage communities—we help create places where people connect, belong, and thrive. By partnering with some of the nation's most innovative master-planned communities, we create places residents are proud to call home and where meaningful relationships flourish.

We're looking for an Executive Director to lead our team at Verrado, one of the largest and most complex communities Cohere supports. With three governing entities, a nearly $20 million budget, continued growth, and a highly engaged community, this role requires an experienced executive who can balance strategic leadership with strong relationships and attention to detail.

In this role, you'll provide executive leadership across community operations, governance, engagement, communications, strategic planning, and financial management while partnering closely with boards of directors, developer partners, residents, committees, vendors, and an experienced on-site leadership team.

This is an opportunity to lead a highly visible, established master-planned community and help guide Verrado through its next chapter.

If you're a confident, relationship-focused executive who can lead strong teams, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, manage significant operational and financial responsibility, and remain accessible and engaged within the community, we'd love to meet you.

Why People Choose Cohere

The best communities are built by people who feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work. That's why we invest in benefits, time away, and professional growth that help our team members thrive both personally and professionally.

Highlights Include:

• Medical coverage available on your first day
• Employer-paid dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability coverage
• Pet insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health, financial, legal, and family support resources
• Travel assistance and identity theft protection
• Complimentary will preparation services
• Generous paid time off
• 16 paid holidays each year, including a Birthday Day and Volunteer Day, in addition to PTO
• Professional development and growth opportunities

What You'll Do

Lead the Community and Team

• Oversee and lead Verrado's on-site Community Life team across community operations, governance, engagement programs, and communications
• Cultivate, coach, and lead a team of community builders while creating clarity, accountability, and alignment around community priorities
• Serve as a visible, accessible leader and central point of contact for community information and problem-solving
• Build strong relationships with team members, residents, boards, committees, developer partners, vendors, volunteers, and other stakeholders
• Balance strategic leadership with a high level of attention to detail across a complex and evolving organization

Guide Strategy, Governance, and Board Partnerships

• Execute the remaining two years of Verrado's current three-year strategic plan and, in the third year, lead a comprehensive and collaborative process with community stakeholders to develop the next three-year strategic plan
• Work collaboratively with developer partners and boards of directors, ensuring fulfillment of Cohere's contractual obligations and providing professional guidance on Cohere's community management approach
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of Cohere's contracts and deliverables with each of Verrado's governing entities
• Provide leadership, support, and alignment across Verrado's governing structure, ensuring committees have clear purpose, direction, and connection to board priorities and community governance
• Manage relationships with Verrado's boards of directors, carry out board directives, provide formal and informal reporting, and maintain open communication on matters of importance
• Oversee governance practices grounded in inclusiveness, mutual respect, consensus-building, and responsiveness to changing needs and opportunities

Own Operations and Financial Performance

• Oversee the daily operations of Verrado's governing entities, staff, amenities, programs, and associated budgets
• Develop annual budgets and operating plans aligned with approved strategic goals and manage performance against those priorities
• Monitor operational and financial performance and communicate results effectively to boards and key stakeholders
• Maintain best-in-class standards for community maintenance and overall service delivery
• Promote the importance of Community Standards, cultivate resident stewards, and support educational efforts that build resident understanding and grassroots support for compliance
• Make sound, timely decisions and follow through in a complex operating environment

Build Community and Stakeholder Relationships

• Cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with residents, local government, school districts, civic and social groups, arts and cultural organizations, charitable organizations, businesses, and other community stakeholders
• Leverage the talents, resources, and energy of internal and external stakeholder groups to create meaningful opportunities and benefits for residents
• Develop and implement innovative community-building initiatives designed to help the community remain strong, active, and caring
• Encourage volunteerism and community service and cultivate sustained stakeholder involvement in shaping the future of the community
• Facilitate conversations among stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives while maintaining trust and forward momentum
• Partner with developer and marketing teams and participate in community design and development to ensure the Community Life perspective is represented

Contribute Across Cohere and the Broader Community

• Collaborate with Cohere teams and colleagues to identify and share best practices and support efficient, effective programming
• Serve as an active member of the Cohere Senior Leadership Team and contribute to the broader success of the organization
• Participate in Cohere's Councils of Excellence and ongoing personal and professional development
• Seek out service and leadership opportunities with nonprofit, philanthropic, and other relevant organizations where those contributions are needed and valued

What We're Looking For

• 10–15 years of experience in one or more of the following: community-based organizations, nonprofit management, private or public organizations, community operations, governance, and/or community-building programs
• At least 10 years of experience leading teams in a senior management role within a large-scale organization
• 7–10 years of experience in a senior management role within a large-scale master-planned community preferred
• CAI CMCA or PCAM designation and a college degree preferred
• Real estate and/or community development experience beneficial
• Experience working with municipal government and/or public agencies beneficialBackground in marketing, communications, and/or public relations beneficial
• Strong experience managing extensive numbers of committees
• Experience working with volunteers, including clubs, committees, neighborhood groups, and similar stakeholder groups
• Comfort speaking and presenting in front of both small and large groups
• Strong operational, governance, and financial acumen, including experience preparing and monitoring budgets
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to create strategic management and leadership plans
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills

Additional Requirements

• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with evenings and weekends as needed to support operational and organizational needs
• Ability to remain stationary during meetings and computer-based work while also frequently moving throughout community facilities, amenities, and multiple community locations
• Ability to occasionally travel between communities and attend meetings, events, and board sessions
• Ability to communicate effectively in presentations and group settings
• Ability to occasionally lift and transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel between community locations for meetings, inspections, events, errands, and other business-related responsibilities

About Verrado

Verrado is a large-scale master-planned community located in Buckeye, Arizona, in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains, 25 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Developed by Scottsdale-based developer DMB Associates, Inc., the community spans 8,800 acres and could include up to 14,080 homes and 4 million square feet of office, light industrial, and retail space.

Verrado's name is derived from the Spanish word “verdad,” which means truth and authenticity. Inspired by a vision of the future and timeless principles of town building, Verrado promises a remarkable way of life in the welcoming spirit of a great American small town. Homes throughout Verrado are designed to reflect the authentic architecture of the Southwest, while the community's small-town character creates a distinct sense of place.

Construction of the community began in the summer of 2002, and the first residents moved into Verrado in the summer of 2004.

Verrado is a place where possibilities abound to live life to the fullest. The streets themselves are amenities, leading to neighborhood parks, hiking trails, and two championship golf courses. The Center on Main, Heritage Swim Park, and community parks provide gathering places for activities and community events. Verrado also includes more than 21 miles of paths and trails running throughout the community and alongside its washes and mountain foothills.

Verrado is governed by three distinct, yet complementary nonprofit entities responsible for maintaining the vision and integrity of the community: Verrado Assembly, Inc., Verrado Community Association, Inc., and Victory District Association, Inc.

To learn more: www.verrado.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cohere is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members are valued and respected.