Skilled Nursing Operations Specialist

Benchmark Senior Living•Waltham, MA

About The Position

Benchmark has been a trailblazer in senior living for nearly 30 years, operating 68 communities with 7,400 associates across the Northeast. With $3 billion in assets under management and $700 million in annual revenue, the company is experiencing historic growth, expanding its footprint from Boston to Washington DC. Benchmark offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities, positioning itself as a leader within this growing real estate sector. Senior housing has consistently ranked among the top three real estate sectors for long-term investment returns, and with the Baby Boomer 80+ population projected to grow over 5% annually through 2030, demand is surging. To meet this demand, senior housing development must nearly double historical levels over the next two decades. Benchmark is outpacing industry growth, backed by prominent investors such as KKR, Prudential Financial, Omega Healthcare Investors, and Ventas, Inc. Its brand strength is reflected in its 62 Best Senior Living Community awards from U.S. News & World Report in 2024, far exceeding industry averages. Benchmark’s success is deeply rooted in its people. The company’s purpose – Transforming Lives Through Human Connection – is lived daily by associates who embody its core values: Called to Care, Better Together, and Be the Benchmark. Recognized as a Top Place to Work by The Boston Globe for 18 consecutive years and certified as a Great Place to Work for eight years, Benchmark fosters a culture of inclusion, growth, and recognition. It supports employees through initiatives like an associate grant program called One Company Fund, Benchmark University, an Inclusion Advisory Council, and a Cultural Ambassadors program. With over 500 associates boasting 15-plus years of tenure, and an annual gala celebrating excellence, Benchmark continues to be a destination for meaningful careers and compassionate care – setting the standard in senior living. The Operations Specialist for Skilled Nursing serves as a subject-matter expert and operational resource, supporting skilled nursing services across the organization. This role partners closely with community leadership, clinical teams, and regional operations leaders to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and high-quality resident care within skilled nursing settings. The position focuses on improving operational performance, supporting clinical and regulatory initiatives, and strengthening processes that enhance both resident outcomes and financial performance. In addition, s/he is responsible for innovating and implementing processes and procedures to enhance talent development and operational systems. In some instances, it may provide leadership in one of the assigned communities as an interim Executive Director/Administrator. This position will require traveling to community locations in MA and CT 4 or 5 days per week. monthly car allowance is provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Administration, Gerontology or other course of study that relates to service to the elderly, preferred.
Previous experience as an Executive Director or Administrator.
5–10 years of experience in skilled nursing or post-acute care operations.
Experience managing or supporting multi-site healthcare operations preferred.
Strong understanding of skilled nursing regulations, reimbursement models, and quality measures.
Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data and implement improvement strategies.
Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) or Registered Nurse (RN) preferred in MA and/or CT.

Responsibilities

Provides operational guidance and support to communities with skilled nursing services to ensure alignment with company standards and regulatory requirements.
Partners with Executive Directors, Associate Executive Directors, Administrators, Directors of Nursing, and regional leaders to improve operational performance and quality outcomes.
Assist in stabilizing operations during leadership transitions, performance challenges, or regulatory surveys.
Monitor and support compliance with federal, state, and local skilled nursing regulations.
Collaborate with operational and clinical leadership to ensure strong survey readiness and effective response to regulatory findings.
Support communities in implementing corrective action plans when necessary.
Analyze operational, financial, and clinical data to identify opportunities for improvement.
Assist communities in improving key performance indicators, including quality measures, survey outcomes, staffing stability, skilled census, and reimbursement optimization.
Support development and implementation of operational best practices across skilled nursing sites and communities
Partners with disciplines including clinical services, finance, HR, legal, risk management, compliance, and asset management to address operational challenges and implement improvements.
Support integration of skilled nursing operations within broader community operations and strategic initiatives.
Provide guidance and mentorship to community leaders regarding skilled nursing operations.
Assist in onboarding new leaders in communities with skilled nursing services.
Support education initiatives related to regulatory compliance, operational processes, and quality improvement.
Participate in operational initiatives such as acquisitions, new service expansions, regulatory changes, and operational improvement projects.
Provide operational assessments and recommendations for skilled nursing services across the portfolio.
Identifies trends and interacts with the Regional Team to develop and monitor action plans.
Completes and analyzes weekly and monthly labor variance reports, spend down reports, and census forecasts, and provides P&L variance analysis as needed.
Participates in state associations and regulatory agencies and acts as Benchmark Representative.
Manages and reports on all essential legal and risk issues.
Understands and demonstrates operating efficiencies and expense control; manages/leads net operating income.
Creates annual business/monthly business plans to meet and exceed the annual budget.
Compiles and analyzes department wage adjustments.
Explores ways to develop a strategic direction for the community and to maximize the value of primary and ancillary communities’ assets.
Effectively presents operating results to senior management and develops plans and action steps to enhance performance.
Researches the root causes of problems and develops plans to resolve them.
Effectively responds to and communicates about crisis situations.
Tracks and responds to market trends.
Effectively develops talent (mentoring Executive Directors/Administrators and Department Heads).
Recruits at all levels of the company.
Participates and encourages leadership development and learning.
Manages employee performance using performance reviews, action plans, and progressive discipline.
Implements and adheres to training programs and processing.
Embraces and champions corporate growth, to include possible redesign of role.
Functions as a change agent in the field.