Director of Plant Operations

Stellar Senior Living is looking for a Director of Plant Operations. This is the senior-most facilities leader in our organization. You are not here to manage buildings. You are here to set the standard by which every building across our portfolio is operated, maintained, and protected. You design the systems. Your Regional Maintenance Directors execute them.

This is an executive-level role, based out of our Resource Center in Utah. Candidates must currently reside in Utah, and direct senior living industry experience is required — no exceptions.

What You Own

Enterprise Strategy and Standards You set facilities policy, develop enterprise-wide maintenance standards, and govern preventive maintenance programs across 44+ SNF, IL, AL, and Memory Care communities. You are the architect — not the operator.

Capital Planning and Budget Ownership: You lead multi-year CapEx forecasting, own the capital budget, and partner directly with Finance, Development, and Ownership Groups to protect and grow the value of Stellar's physical portfolio.

Facilities Leadership Development: You hire, coach, manage, and develop Regional Maintenance Directors across the portfolio. Succession planning and team performance sit with you.

Vendor and Contract Strategy: You own national vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and hold partners accountable to performance standards at an enterprise level.

Compliance and Risk Leadership: You lead the organization's regulatory posture — state licensing, CMS guidelines, NFPA standards, building codes, and ADA compliance — and drive risk mitigation through deferred-maintenance tracking and capital-risk identification.

Sustainability and ESG Oversight: You own the portfolio-wide ESG strategy, utility management program, and sustainability reporting, including Energy Star and ESG platforms.

Technology and Data Integrity: You govern the facilities technology ecosystem — TELS, Yardi Voyager, and all facilities data platforms — ensuring accuracy and accountability at scale.

Growth and Acquisition Support: You lead new community integration and support due diligence for acquisitions and development projects as Stellar continues to expand.

How This Role Is Different

The DPO operates at the strategy and governance layer — not the operational layer. The Regional Maintenance Director owns the day-to-day execution within their territory. The DPO owns enterprise-wide outcomes, capital investment performance, and the development of the team executing.

Your primary partners are the C-suite, Finance, Development, and Ownership Groups. Your direct reports are Regional Maintenance Directors. Travel is periodic — quarterly summits, due diligence support, and critical site response.

What You Bring

• 8–12+ years of progressive facilities or engineering leadership, including multi-site portfolio ownership within the senior living industry
• Proven track record in building and leading regional facilities teams — not just managing buildings
• Deep expertise in CapEx planning, contract management, and capital budgeting at scale
• Comprehensive command of senior living regulatory environments: state licensing, CMS, NFPA, building codes, and ADA
• Fluency in TELS, Yardi Voyager, Energy Star, and facilities data management platforms
• Executive-level communication skills — comfortable presenting to boards, ownership groups, and C-suite stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (required); advanced degree preferred
• CFM, FMP, or PMP certification strongly preferred
• Current Utah residency (required)
• Direct senior living industry experience (required)

What We Offer

• Base Salary: $110,000 – $130,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Quarterly profit share
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Unlimited PTO

Why Stellar Senior Living

You'll have the autonomy to build real systems — not inherit someone else's patchwork — in a high-trust culture where operational excellence directly improves residents' lives.

"Our supreme goal is to do and be the best in all we undertake, and to provide a Stellar life for our residents, their families, and our employees." — Evrett Benton, CEO

Founded in 2012, Stellar Senior Living is the premier senior living provider in the Western United States. We currently serve 44 communities and are on a mission to improve the lives of 20,000+ residents by 2035. We believe great communities are built on safe, well-run, and thoughtfully maintained environments — and we're building the leadership team to make that happen.

Ready to own facilities at the enterprise level?

Apply now and help us build something extraordinary.

Stellar Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.