Community Life Director

Description

Cohere Life, Inc.

JOB DESCRIPTION: 3/19/2026

Title: Community Life Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Regional Operations Manager

Location: Bluffton, South Carolina

Summary

Cohere Community Life Directors will oversee all aspects of Community Life management in their assigned communities including creating and promoting community vision, organizational systems; and establishing resource frameworks for all community disciplines including community affairs, engagement, and operations. The Community Life Director (CLD) will embrace and demonstrate the core values of Trust,

Reciprocity, Spirit, and Legacy while striving to exceed team and partner expectations. The CLD will set the tone for professionalism and model exceptional customer service that demonstrates our commitment to co- creation and resident involvement.

The CLD’s most important role is that of servant leader. In addition to being a champion for the community, the CLD must be its most compelling storyteller, a gifted organizer, a trusted partner, and the community’s biggest advocate.

The CLD is responsible for creating unique opportunities that foster a rich expression of community life -- bringing residents, neighbors, employers, and inspired visitors together to create authentic, collective experiences that enhance quality of life and provide the cornerstones for sustainable legacy communities.

The CLD will have responsibility for the daily operations of governing entities, amenities, programs, and associated budgets.

Scope

• Oversee and lead on-site Community Life team(s) that carry out all aspects of community operations, governance, and communications.
• Develop and implement innovative community-building initiatives designed to foster well-being
• and belonging.
• Work collaboratively with board of directors; ensure fulfillment of Cohere’s contractual obligations and scopes of work; provide professional guidance on matters specific to Cohere’s community management approach.
• Manage relationship(s) with the board(s) of directors; ensure needs are met and specific directives are carried out in keeping with community governance; provide formal and informal reports to board members and, in general, maintain open communication on all matters of importance.
• Develop and execute a multi-faceted strategic plan with focused initiatives for engagement, communications, and operations.
• Develop an annual budget and operating plan reflective of approved strategic goals; manage and measure performance against stated imperatives.
• Serve as a contact for community information, as well as a resource for problem- solving on behalf of our community’s stakeholders.
• Cultivate and advance positive, mutually beneficial partnerships between the community(s) and the community(s) at large, including local governmental entities, school districts, social and civic groups, arts and cultural entities, charitable organizations, and other stakeholder entities important to the area(s).
• Leverage talents, assets, energy, and resources of internal and external stakeholder groups to
• create unique benefits and opportunities for residents.
• Encourage a spirit of volunteerism and community service; cultivate deep and sustained involvement by stakeholders in shaping the future of the community.
• Oversee governance structure based on inclusiveness, mutual respect, consensus-building, and responsiveness to changing needs and opportunities.
• Strive to sustain a level of community maintenance that is best-in-class.
• Promote importance of and compliance with Community Standards; cultivate resident stewards; implement educational campaigns aimed at cultivating resident buy-in and building grassroots support for shared accountability.
• Ensure a pipeline of engaged resident leaders is created to support the vision and sustainability of the Developer.
• Develop an annual program of work that informs the operating budget and aligns with revenue requirements; monitor monthly financial statements to ensure that programming expenses are in line with budget; control and monitor expenses initiating cost-cutting measures and creative cost- saving solutions in line with budgetary requirements.
• Identify, vet and secure appropriate vendor partners in support of programs and events; negotiate pricing and contracts; secure insurance, liability waivers and similar documentation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy that builds and empowers resident leaders and influencers to advance and support key events and programs; create committee Charters; recruit committee members; manage committee meetings and related a
• Manage process to acquire necessary permits, licensing and related documents to ensure community activities comply with city, county and state regulations.
• Analyze resident surveys and data to provide programming solutions for community needs and create programs that are in line with resident data and interests.
• Work collaboratively with Cohere teams and colleagues to mine best practices and ensure efficient, effective delivery of programming.
• Actively contribute to the success of Cohere.
• Participate in Cohere’s Councils of Excellence and engage in ongoing personal and professional
• development aimed at expanding capabilities, knowledge, and passion for the work.
• Seek out service and leadership opportunities amongst non-profits, philanthropic agencies and/or other relevant entities where your contributions are needed and valued; model the way.

Attributes

Key attributes for a successful Community Life Director i n c l u d e , but are not limited to the following capabilities, qualifications, and performance skills:

• Vision: aspirational thinker with ability to see and capitalize on possibilities.
• Purposeful and intentional; inspires a shared sense of purpose grounded in the community’s values.
• Passionate and empathic; embraces community vision and frameworks, engaging with others in
• authentic, meaningful ways.
• Leads by example; models the way.
• Motivating, inspiring; brings out the best in team members, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Collaborative; predisposed to partnership and teamwork.
• Expediter: implements decisions and follows through.
• Storyteller of community vision; shares its values and frameworks in ways that connect, inspire, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Ability to foster a collaborative environment when serving both internal and external customers
• Ability to keep community vision and values—aligned with Cohere’s—at the forefront of decision-making and action.
• Innovative and creative problem solving using a “win-win” approach
• Possess initiative to think, reason and make independent decisions
• Possess strong management and organizational skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and confidentiality is essential

Experience | Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible, professional community engagement and/or community association management experience 
• Minimum of 7 years of experience supervising a professional staff required
• Preferred a minimum of 2 years of experience in community-based organizations, non-profit management, community operation, governance and/or community building or similar programs.
• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., gerontology, recreation therapy, social services, communications).
• Preferred qualifications include CAI CMCA or PCAM designation and a college degree.
• Background in marketing, communications and/or public relations beneficial
• Experience working with volunteers (clubs, committees, neighborhood groups, etc.)
• Comfortable speaking in front of small and large groups required
• Financial acumen and experience preparing and monitoring budgets required
• Excellent verbal, written and personal communications skills
• Ability to create strategic management/leadership plans
• Excellent troubleshooting skills
• Experience in program planning and implementation (activities, events, engagement). Required
• Experience in participating in the budget creation and budget-management process required

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• The Community Life Director should expect to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
• Ability to provide one’s own transportation; must have a current drivers’ license and an acceptable driving record.
• May be required to frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and be on feet for extended periods.

Operating Principles

In furtherance of our mission team members will:

• Instill a sense of fun and enthusiasm into everything we do.
• Encourage a dynamic collaboration between internal and external stakeholders.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy and fair-mindedness in all interactions while providing exceptional customer service.
• Reflect a work style based on inclusiveness, mutual respect, consensus-building, and responsiveness to changing needs and opportunities.
• Embrace the vision, goals, and aspirations of Cohere.

Job Type: Full-time; Pay: $75,000 - $85,000; bonus eligibility up to 10% of annual salary

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
   

Cohere is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

Once an adequate number of qualified candidates has been identified, the job posting may be withdrawn or closed.