Signature Senior Lifestyle – Chief Operating Officer

COO placed at REIT-backed luxury senior living provider as part of pre-transaction strategic hire

Background

Signature Senior Lifestyle is the preeminent luxury senior living provider, operating 13 premium communities offering best-in-class retirement, nursing, and memory care. At the time of this appointment, Signature was owned by Revera Inc., a North American senior living specialist, in strategic partnership with Welltower Inc., a leading US-based real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on healthcare and senior living real estate.

Revera sought to strengthen the leadership team with a Chief Operating Officer who would be pivotal in positioning the business for a successful investor exit, an objective realised with the subsequent sale to Elevation Advisors.

The Brief

The new COO needed to bring more than sector knowledge; the role required an exceptional leader with both operational excellence in senior living and the broader B2C acumen necessary to steer a premium brand in a competitive market. This executive would be responsible for driving performance across the portfolio, overseeing an ambitious expansion pipeline, and enhancing the customer experience to support investor value creation. 

Why Compass Carter Osborne?

Compass Carter Osborne was selected for its unrivalled track record in senior living executive search, particularly at the premium end of the market. The firm’s deep network, investor credibility, and ability to assess candidates against both sector-specific and commercial growth criteria made it the clear choice for a search of this strategic importance.

Search Process & Methodology

The search was intentionally broad. In addition to established senior living leaders, the team targeted high-performing executives from other luxury care and adjacent B2C sectors, ensuring all shortlisted candidates combined proven operational delivery with strong consumer brand credentials.

Every candidate was rigorously assessed, with Compass Carter Osborne conducting in-depth competency-based interviews, achievement mapping, and referencing tailored to investor expectations.

The process began with a longlist of over 50 executives, narrowed to 12 in-person meetings, from which six finalists were presented to the client. 

Outcome

An exceptional COO was appointed in line with the agreed brief, bringing the operational, commercial, and leadership qualities needed to lead Signature through the next stage of growth. This appointment played a central role in enhancing operational performance and brand positioning, contributing to the platform’s readiness for a successful sale to Elevation Advisors.