Memory care specialist

The Memory Care Specialist is an experienced, hands-on leader who supports communities during Director of Memory Care vacancies, leadership transitions, and other periods of operational need. The Specialist quickly assesses neighborhood operations, stabilizes performance, and ensures ESL’s mission, vision, Memory Care philosophy, standards, and processes are consistently demonstrated.

Working in partnership with community and divisional leadership, the Specialist strengthens resident care, team performance, family communication, regulatory compliance, and resident experience while preparing the department for a successful transition to permanent leadership.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following essential functions are fundamental job duties of the position and are to be performed with or without appropriate reasonable accommodation(s).

Interim Leadership and Community Stabilization

• Provide temporary day-to-day leadership of a Memory Care neighborhood during vacancies, leaves, transitions, or other operational needs.
• Assess resident care, staffing, scheduling, compliance, team engagement, family satisfaction, programming, dining, and the physical environment; identify immediate risks and resource needs.
• Develop and execute prioritized action plans with the Executive Director, Health and Wellness Director, and divisional leadership.
• Establish clear structure, accountability, and communication; provide regular progress updates and recommendations.
• Maintain effective operations until permanent leadership is hired, then provide a documented transition plan, onboarding, training, and support.
• Adapt to each community while consistently applying ESL’s Memory Care philosophy, standards, policies, and processes.

Leadership and Team Member Experience

• Maintain a visible presence in the neighborhood, model servant leadership, and assist with resident care or staffing gaps when needed.
• Evaluate staffing levels, team capabilities, schedules, communication practices, and culture; implement sustainable improvements.
• Participate in recruiting, selection, hiring, onboarding, coaching, counseling, performance reviews, and team development.
• Provide hands-on dementia-care training, lead crossover meetings and in-services, and reinforce ESL’s mission, values, and Memory Care standards.
• Build trust quickly and partner effectively with community leaders while modeling calm, flexible, and solution-oriented leadership.

Resident Care and Quality Assurance

• Ensure residents receive individualized, dignified, and person-centered care consistent with ESL’s Memory Care philosophy.
• Participate in resident assessments and care planning, incorporating history, routines, preferences, strengths, and sources of joy and purpose.
• Review assessments, service plans, care documentation, medication practices, and related records for accuracy, completeness, regulatory compliance, and alignment with resident needs.
• Partner with the Health and Wellness Director, residents, families, and care partners at move-in, required intervals, and changes of condition.
• Monitor incidents, falls, behaviors, outcomes, changes in condition, and family concerns to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support corrective actions, quality improvement, survey readiness, and plans of correction.

Resident Family and Lifestyle Experience

• Serve as a trusted leadership presence for residents and families, providing timely communication, education, and resolution of concerns.
• Use ESL profiles and assessment resources to understand each resident’s history, preferences, abilities, routines, interests, and personal sources of meaning.
• Ensure programming and the monthly experience calendar are purposeful, personalized, and integrated into daily care.
• Model effective engagement approaches and promote an environment of dignity, independence, choice, safety, and belonging.
• Collaborate with Resident Experience and other department leaders to strengthen the overall Memory Care experience.

Dining Sales and Occupancy Support

• Participate in meal service and evaluate food quality, presentation, atmosphere, resident assistance, dietary adherence, and required dining documentation.
• Partner with the Executive Chef and community leadership to maintain a dignified, engaging, and resident-centered dining experience.
• Meet with prospective residents and families and collaborate with Sales to prepare personalized visits, case studies, and follow-up.
• Help communicate ESL’s Memory Care philosophy and resolve operational barriers that may affect tours, move-ins, retention, or occupancy.

Portfolio Support and Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a subject matter resource and provide operational support, coaching, and training to Directors of Memory Care and other leaders.
• Identify portfolio trends, recurring challenges, and best practices and communicate actionable recommendations to company leadership.
• Support the development of Memory Care tools, training materials, and procedures, as well as new openings, acquisitions, leadership transitions, and special projects.
• Share successful practices across communities and maintain appropriate confidentiality.

Travel and Assignment Expectations

• Travel up to 100% throughout the Experience Senior Living portfolio, including assignments of varying duration and travel with limited notice.
• Work a flexible schedule based on community needs, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended periods away from home.
• Work independently in unfamiliar environments while learning community operations quickly and maintaining consistent communication with the designated supervisor.

Bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social services, behavioral health, therapeutic recreation, nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred.

Five or more years of progressive experience supporting individuals living with dementia or other cognitive conditions.

Three or more years of successful leadership experience in a specialized Memory Care program, preferably as a Director of Memory Care or comparable department leader.

Demonstrated success stabilizing operations, improving team performance, and leading through change; multi-site, regional, interim, new-development, turnaround, or consulting experience strongly preferred.

Advanced knowledge of dementia disease processes and person-centered strategies that promote independence, dignity, safety, purpose, and meaningful engagement.

Working knowledge of assisted living and Memory Care regulations, survey readiness, quality assurance, care documentation, and the ability to apply requirements across multiple states.

Experience with family education, professional training, recruiting, supervision, performance management, scheduling, labor, budgets, and operational performance.

Strong assessment, critical-thinking, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Proficiency with computers and company systems; valid driver’s license and ongoing compliance with ESL’s Motor Vehicle Policy.

Ability to meet all applicable state-specific training, certification, background, health, and regulatory requirements.

EXPECTED PERFORMANCE

• Assess conditions objectively, establish priorities, and take appropriate action with limited supervision.
• Lead effectively through vacancies, transitions, uncertainty, and operational challenges while maintaining stakeholder confidence.
• Balance immediate needs with sustainable solutions and exercise sound judgment in complex or high-pressure situations.
• Set clear goals, hold others accountable, and communicate objective, actionable information to community and divisional leadership.
• Build productive relationships, strengthen team culture, and align community practices with ESL standards without disrupting resident care.
• Model dependability, adaptability, professionalism, and ESL’s mission, vision, and values.

We offer a full benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, life and voluntary life, 401k with employer matching, paid holidays, and up to 20 days PTO in the first three years.

Application Deadline: We anticipate reviewing applications through November 27th, 2026.