Senior Living Program Operations Manager
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Plan and run resident programs across wellness, social, learning, and community engagement
- Coordinate schedules, staffing coverage, and daily operational workflows
- Track program participation and resident feedback to improve offerings
- Partner with care teams to align programs with resident needs and care plans
- Manage program budgets, purchasing, and expense controls
- Select and manage vendors, entertainers, and community partners
- Ensure compliance with community policies and relevant regulations
- Create and maintain documentation for calendars, attendance, and incident logs
- Support staff training and coaching for consistent service quality
- Respond to operational issues and resident concerns with timely follow up
- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to support tours and events
- Lead continuous improvement efforts to increase quality and efficiency
Top Skills for Success
Team Leadership
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Budget Management
Scheduling
Process Improvement
Program Planning
Vendor Management
Quality Assurance
Regulatory Compliance
Data Reporting
Resident Experience Management
Staff Training
Risk Management
Empathy
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Executive Director
Regional Operations Director
Director of Resident Experience
Quality Improvement Manager
Senior Operations Manager
Transition Opportunities
Healthcare Operations Manager
Aging Services Program Director
Compliance Manager
Care Coordination Manager
Community Partnerships Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
State regulatory knowledgeProgram measurementWorkforce retentionChange managementDementia care programmingContract negotiationProject management
Development SuggestionsBuild a simple program scorecard, ask to co lead an audit readiness review, and take targeted training in compliance, dementia friendly programming, and basic project management. Pair this with a retention plan that improves onboarding, coaching, and recognition.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 65,000 to 85,000
Mid LevelUSD 85,000 to 110,000
Senior LevelUSD 110,000 to 140,000
Growth Trend
Demand is strong and expected to remain steady due to an aging population, staffing shortages, and a continued focus on resident experience and quality standards. Pay varies by region, community size, and level of responsibility.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
Brookdale Senior LivingSunrise Senior LivingAtria Senior LivingErickson Senior LivingFive Star Senior LivingHoliday by AtriaLife Care ServicesBenchmark Senior LivingEnlivantHumanGood
Industry Sectors
Senior living communitiesAssisted livingMemory careContinuing care retirement communitiesSkilled nursing facilitiesHome health organizationsHospice providersNonprofit aging services
Recommended Next Steps
1
Review the licensing or administrator requirements for your state and target setting2
Create a portfolio with calendars, attendance results, and improvement examples3
Standardize a monthly reporting routine for participation, cost, and satisfaction4
Develop a staffing playbook for coverage, onboarding, and training5
Strengthen vendor selection with clear scopes, pricing, and service reviews6
Take a short course in healthcare compliance and risk management7
Complete dementia care focused training to improve program quality8
Join an industry association such as Argentum or LeadingAge and attend a local event9
Set up informational interviews with an Executive Director or Regional Operations Director10
Update your resume to show outcomes such as participation growth, cost savings, and quality improvements