Director of Sales & Community Partnerships
Location: Washington, DC Metropolitan Area
Work Arrangement: Hybrid and field-based
Employment Type: Full-time
Target Annual Compensation: $120,000–$180,000
The Opportunity
An established private-pay residential community serving older adults is seeking a highly motivated Director of Sales & Community Partnerships to lead occupancy growth, develop local referral relationships and manage the complete prospect journey from initial contact through move-in.
This position requires more than managing incoming inquiries. The successful candidate will create opportunities through personal outreach, professional networking, community involvement, events and disciplined follow-up.
The ideal candidate will combine the persistence of an accomplished business-development professional with the polish, judgment and consultative approach required to guide older adults and their families through a significant lifestyle decision.
Direct senior living experience is helpful but not required. Strong candidates may come from independent or active-adult living, residential real estate, luxury apartment leasing, senior relocation services, hospitality, membership sales or another relationship-driven business.
Primary Responsibilities
- Drive occupancy growth through personally generated prospects, referrals and community relationships.
- Develop and execute a focused business-development strategy for Washington, DC and the surrounding market.
- Build productive relationships with real estate professionals, senior relocation specialists, financial and legal professionals, community organizations and other trusted local influencers.
- Spend meaningful time in the market developing relationships and generating qualified prospects through grassroots outreach.
- Represent the community at professional networking functions, educational programs, local events and community activities.
- Respond promptly and consistently to new inquiries, referrals and event attendees.
- Reengage prospects who have previously expressed interest but have not yet made a decision.
- Conduct professional discovery calls, presentations, appointments and community tours.
- Communicate the value of an upscale residential lifestyle without relying primarily on discounts or healthcare-based selling.
- Manage the complete sales process from initial inquiry through deposit and move-in.
- Create and execute open houses, educational events and partnership programs that generate qualified prospects.
- Maintain accurate CRM records, follow-up schedules, pipeline projections and activity reporting.
- Monitor competitive activity and identify emerging opportunities throughout the local market.
- Collaborate closely with community leadership to provide a professional and responsive prospect experience.
- Remain personally accountable for sales activity, conversion and occupancy results.
Required Qualifications
- At least three years of successful sales, leasing, business-development or referral-development experience.
- Demonstrated ability to generate business independently through prospecting, networking and local outreach.
- Strong familiarity with Washington, DC and the surrounding close-in market.
- Documented success meeting sales, leasing, occupancy, revenue or membership goals.
- Experience personally developing referral relationships rather than relying exclusively on company-provided or paid leads.
- Strong telephone, presentation, relationship-development, negotiation and closing skills.
- A high level of urgency, persistence and follow-through.
- Professional presence and the ability to establish credibility with prospective residents, family members and professional advisors.
- Ability to manage immediate sales opportunities while developing a longer-term relationship pipeline.
- Experience using a CRM to manage activity, follow-up and projected results.
- Reliable transportation and availability for occasional evening or weekend events.
Preferred Qualifications
- Existing professional relationships within the Washington, DC market.
- Experience in independent living, active-adult housing, luxury residential leasing, residential real estate, senior relocation or another lifestyle-focused sale.
- Experience improving occupancy or leasing performance in a competitive market.
- Experience selling a significant private-pay service or residential decision.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, hospitality or a related field.
The Right Person
The successful candidate will be:
- A proactive hunter who creates opportunities instead of waiting for leads.
- Persistent and comfortable following up repeatedly without sacrificing professionalism.
- Comfortable developing relationships outside the office and throughout the local community.
- Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Washington, DC market.
- Resourceful, competitive and personally accountable for results.
- Capable of developing trust with older adults considering an important lifestyle transition.
- Motivated by both individual achievement and the opportunity to build a sustainable referral network.
Work Arrangement
This is a hybrid, field-based position serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The Director will have substantial flexibility to work remotely and throughout the community while developing referral relationships, prospecting and managing follow-up.
Regular in-person availability is required for prospect appointments, tours, leadership meetings, community events and other business needs. Success will be measured by sales activity, responsiveness, relationship development, conversion and occupancy results—not by time spent in an office.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated total annual cash compensation range is $120,000–$180,000, consisting of an $85,000 base salary plus monthly performance incentives.
Actual earnings will depend on individual and community performance. The incentive program provides meaningful additional compensation for achieving defined occupancy results.
The position also includes employer-sponsored healthcare and additional employee benefits.
How to Apply
Please submit a résumé outlining your sales results, business-development experience and connection to the Washington, DC market.