This story is part of your SHN+ subscription. Since the start of the pandemic, senior living operators have faced challenges in hiring and retaining executive directors. The demanding nature of the job has led to burnout and higher turnover rates. However, in 2024, some operators have seen improvements in hiring and retaining executive directors. For example, 12 Oaks Senior Living President, Greg Puklicz, shared that they have successfully overcome previous obstacles in hiring and retaining executive directors.
Operators like Pegasus Senior Living have implemented new recruitment models to directly identify quality candidates. They have also introduced bonus and incentive structures to reward executive directors for their contributions. Katheryn Pigott, Senior VP of People and Culture at Pegasus, emphasized the importance of investing in and celebrating executive directors.
Several operators have reported successes in reducing executive director turnover rates. Pegasus Senior Living reduced vacancies from previous years by implementing a new hiring platform. Merrill Gardens also saw a significant improvement in turnover rates by reevaluating pay packages and bonuses for executive directors.
12 Oaks, Health Dimensions Group, and Wesley Enhanced Living have also made strides in retaining executive directors through career development and providing support. By implementing new models and offering increased support, operators have been able to better identify, hire, and retain strong executive directors.
Creating internal leadership development programs and career ladders has also been a focus for operators. By prioritizing internal talent development, operators are cultivating a network of leaders within their organizations. While attracting leadership talent from outside the industry can be challenging, operators like Onelife Senior Living are focused on finding candidates with specific skill sets to meet community needs.
Overall, operators have adapted to staffing challenges by being more strategic in their hiring and support for executive directors. By investing in their leaders and creating a supportive environment, operators are seeing improvements in hiring, retention, and overall community success.
