Associate Vice President - Community Operations

Sun Health•Surprise, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Community Operations is responsible for ensuring that every resident experiences exceptional care, comfort, and connection. This senior operational leader drives strategic, financial, and operational performance across assigned community functions. The role partners with the Vice President of Community Operations and/or Executive Director (VPO/ED), executing enterprise priorities, advancing organizational initiatives, and ensuring excellence in resident experience, team member engagement, and regulatory compliance. The AVP provides executive-level oversight of multiple departments and serves as a succession-ready leader for the VPO/ED, contributing to the long-term growth, innovation, and sustainability of Sun Health communities.

Requirements

Deep understanding of senior living operations, including IL, AL, Memory Care, and SNF
Proven success in operational and financial leadership, driving measurable performance improvement
Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to influence and present at all levels
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations within senior living/CCRC environments
Demonstrated ability to lead leaders, build high-performing teams, and foster a "best place to work" culture
Skilled at building relationships and navigating diverse stakeholders, including residents, families, regulators, and senior leadership
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field)
5–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality operations
Must have an Arizona Assisted Living Manager Certificate or the ability to obtain one in the first year of employment
Ability to obtain Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card

Nice To Haves

Nursing Home Administrator License preferred
Multi-department or multi-site leadership experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated success in operational and financial performance improvement

Responsibilities

Develops a positive professional relationship with residents, resident family members, team members, professional organizations, community groups, and other appropriate entities as the leader of the community
Execute organizational strategy at the community level, translating enterprise priorities into actionable operational plans
Partner with senior leadership to drive growth, operational efficiency, and service excellence
Lead cross-functional initiatives including integration, process improvements, and system implementations
Serve as acting the VPO/ED as needed, demonstrating readiness for enterprise leadership roles
Drive financial performance through budgeting, forecasting, and disciplined expense management
Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including occupancy, labor, margin, and service metrics
Collaborate with Finance and corporate partners on long-range planning and capital initiatives
Provide direct leadership to department heads and develop strong, aligned operational teams
Build leadership bench strength through coaching, succession planning, and talent development
Foster a high-performance culture aligned with Sun Health's values and leadership expectations
Partner with HR to execute talent strategies including engagement, retention, and workforce planning
Champion an exceptional resident experience and lead service recovery efforts as needed
Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, families, and key external stakeholders
Ensure full regulatory compliance and maintain readiness for surveys, audits, and reviews
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous quality improvement, including risk mitigation
Lead change management efforts and leverage data, technology, and best practices to drive operational excellence
Demonstrates the Sun Health Values every day and provides all customers and other stakeholders with excellent service experience.
Other duties as assigned.