Headquartered in Carmichael, California, Eskaton is a leading non-profit provider of aging services, serving older adults across Northern California for over 55 years. With the goal of fostering an environment where older adults can age with joy and fulfillment, Eskaton delivers a comprehensive range of services and programs designed to empower individuals to live well.
Eskaton's offerings include independent living, assisted living, memory care, Life Plan Communities (Continuing Care Retirement Communities), affordable housing, and home and community-based services. These are complemented by education, social programs, and resources aimed at enriching the lives of older adults. The organization owns and operates 11 residential communities, 13 affordable housing communities, and employs 1,600 staff members. Additionally, Eskaton provides management and shared services to other senior living communities across Northern California, collectively managing $230 million in revenue for FY 2024.
Under the leadership of Sheri Peifer, CEO since September 2023, Eskaton is responding to the evolving senior living landscape with strategic initiatives to meet the needs of the expanding older adult generation. The organization is transitioning to increasing market rate models, expanding its service portfolio, and engaging in master planning to enhance amenities and community features with the vision to establish "hub and spoke" wellness communities that serve people on and off campus. These efforts underscore Eskaton's commitment to balancing its mission-driven approach with innovative strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
POSITION & OPPORTUNITY
Chief Operating Officer
Eskaton is in search of a highly experienced and accomplished senior living and/or hospitality executive to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this position, you will be responsible for leading, directing, and coordinating all operations within the organization. You will also ensure that the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems are in place to effectively grow the organization.
As COO, you will serve as a crucial member of the Senior Leadership Team, modeling Eskaton's mission, core values and standards. You will oversee and drive operational excellence across Eskaton's owned and managed senior living communities setting high standards for operational performance and guiding teams in delivering holistic wellness, life enrichment, culinary, and hospitality experiences that enhance resident quality of life. You will also drive strong financial stewardship, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic leadership to foster growth and scalability, collaborating with executive leadership to achieve organizational performance goals.
In this role, you will manage a team of 9 direct reports and oversee more than 1300 employees. Furthermore, you will be entrusted with managing a budget of more than $200 million dollars.
Location
The COO will be based in Carmichael, California and work out of Eskaton's Corporate Campus.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities of the COO Role
Establish and uphold Eskaton's operational excellence service standards and ensure systems are in place that elevate the resident experience, foster quality service, and drive efficiency across all community locations.
Lead and mentor a team of operations leaders, cultivating a high-performance culture centered on accountability, empathy, and professional development. Champion initiatives that promote whole-person wellness, encompassing physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Oversee care delivery, life enrichment, culinary and hospitality service standards, ensuring each department aligns with the organization's mission and values.
Develop and implement strategies to position our communities competitively in product quality, pricing, and value. Conduct market research to ensure alignment with consumer expectations and industry trends while reinforcing the organization's brand as a provider of choice.
Partner with the finance team to develop and monitor budgets, performance and analysis, optimizing resources to achieve financial objectives while maintaining service quality and resident satisfaction.
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations for independent, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing requirements (DSS, DSS-CCC, DPH, etc.), including Life Plan Communities/ Continuing Care Communities. Develop policies that promote safety, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization.
Identify and pursue opportunities for growth, operational scalability, and innovation that will strengthen our market position and prepare us for future expansion.
The Candidate
Professional Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Hospitality, Business or related field required.
Master of Business Administration or advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 10 years' senior leadership experience for a large multi-site healthcare, senior living or hospitality provider with demonstrated results in business planning and growth, operating performance, fiscal accountability, quality and process improvement, marketing strategy/methods and leading teams.
Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) required. Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure a plus.
Proven track record of driving operational excellence and successful financial performance.
Skilled in organizational development, staff management, budget and resource development, and strategic planning.
Excellent people skills, with an ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team.
Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to an organization's mission.
Strong knowledge of California regulatory requirements and best practices in senior care.
Core Competencies for the Role
Mission-driven - Alignment with Eskaton's mission, vision, values, strategic pillars, service philosophy and standards.
Leadership - Self-motivated and able to lead and excel in a high-pressured environment; Inspire and motivate others to organizational commitment and results; Project and behave as a professional and role model, establish an environment of reliability, trustworthiness and responsibility; Hold oneself and others accountable for living the corporate mission and values; Understand one's own impact on situations and people.
Business Acumen - Exhibit executive presence and sound business judgment; Possess an organizational focus and understand the perspective of different functional areas; Fully understand the business, legislative, regulatory, and competitive environments; Understand and analyze financial and operational information and metrics; Make timely decisions, readily understand complex issues, and develop solutions that effectively address problems.
Results Orientation - Develop and achieve clear, realistic, and challenging goals that are aligned with targeted business results; Possess strong skills in prioritizing and aligning resources to achieve key objectives; Demonstrate an ability to handle multiple and competing priorities simultaneously; Demonstrate an ability to overcome obstacles and challenges in order to meet or exceed the organizations' goals and objectives; Hold oneself and others accountable for achieving or exceeding corporate growth and financial metrics.
Brand Steward - Embody the importance of growing and protecting Eskaton's reputation and outcomes.
Compensation
Compensation for the COO position includes a competitive base salary, benefits package and an annual, performance-based incentive program. Relocation assistance will be provided to any candidate who lives beyond commuting distance.
The final candidate must successfully pass Eskaton's post offer, pre-employment testing which includes a criminal background check, drug test, COVID test, TB screen test and health screen. All new hires are required to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment.
Eskaton is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.