Executive Director at Cohere Life in Katy, TX

Apply Job Type Full-time Description Executive Director Elyson | Katy, TX $105,000–$115,000 + Up to 10% Annual Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits + 16 Paid Holidays Hiring range based on experience, skills, and qualifications. Collaboration. Authenticity. Connection. Balance. At Cohere, we believe community is the most valuable amenity. We do more than manage communities—we help create places where people connect, belong, and thrive. By partnering with some of the nation’s most innovative master-planned communities, we create places residents are proud to call home and where meaningful relationships flourish. We’re looking for an Executive Director to serve as the senior leader of Elyson, one of Texas’ premier master-planned communities. Spanning more than 3,600 acres and continuing to grow toward approximately 8,000 homes at buildout, Elyson is a complex, highly amenitized community with expanding neighborhoods, recreation centers, pools, fitness facilities, parks, trails, lakes, sports courts, community programming, and commercial development. This is not a traditional community management position. The Executive Director will have responsibility for the overall leadership, strategy, operations, financial performance, governance, and resident experience of the community, while partnering closely with the Board of Directors, Developer, Cohere leadership, residents, vendors, and other community stakeholders. As Elyson continues to grow, this leader will help shape how the community operates at scale—building strong teams and systems, anticipating future needs, protecting the community’s long-term vision, and ensuring a consistently exceptional experience for the people who call Elyson home. If you’re an experienced community executive who can balance strategic leadership with operational excellence, build credibility with sophisticated stakeholders, and lead a large-scale community through continued growth, we’d love to meet you. Why People Choose Cohere The best communities are built by people who feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work. That’s why we invest in benefits, time away, and professional growth that help our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Highlights Include: Medical coverage available on your first day Employer-paid dental coverage Vision coverage 401(k) retirement plan Employer-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability coverage Pet insurance options Employee Assistance Program with mental health, financial, legal, and family support resources Travel assistance and identity theft protection Complimentary will preparation services Generous paid time off 16 paid holidays each year, including a Birthday Day and Volunteer Day, in addition to PTO Professional development and growth opportunities What You’ll Do Lead the Community Serve as the senior leader and central point of accountability for Elyson, providing strategic direction across community operations, governance, resident experience, facilities, engagement, and community standards. Translate the Board’s, Developer’s, and community’s long-term vision into clear priorities, operating strategies, and measurable outcomes. Anticipate the needs of a rapidly growing master-planned community and develop the people, processes, systems, and resources necessary to support continued growth. Represent Elyson with professionalism and credibility as a visible leader and trusted resource for residents, Board members, the Developer, community partners, and other stakeholders. Build and Lead a High-Performing Team Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team that includes Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and other community professionals. Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards while creating an inclusive, collaborative culture. Build organizational systems and leadership practices that allow the team to operate effectively as the size and complexity of the community continue to increase. Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across community operations, engagement, standards, facilities, finance, and other areas. Oversee Governance and Stakeholder Relationships Partner closely with the Board of Directors and Developer to execute community priorities and provide sound operational and strategic guidance. Oversee Board governance processes, reporting, presentations, records, resolutions, policies, and implementation of Board directives. Interpret and apply governing documents while working collaboratively with legal counsel, committees, residents, and other stakeholders. Build productive relationships grounded in trust, transparency, sound judgment, and a shared commitment to the community’s long-term success. Drive Financial and Operational Performance Maintain executive oversight of association budgets, financial performance, cash flow, budget variances, annual audits, long-range planning, and project buildout budgets. Apply strong financial judgment to community priorities, capital needs, operational decisions, and long-term planning. Oversee facilities, landscape operations, community standards, design review, vendor relationships, contracts, and risk management. Develop and monitor strategic plans, operating goals, performance measures, and organizational priorities. Identify opportunities to strengthen processes, improve service delivery, increase efficiency, and prepare the organization for future growth. Champion the Community Experience Ensure decisions and operations support an exceptional resident experience and reinforce Elyson’s vision and brand promise. Promote meaningful connection through thoughtful community engagement, communication, programming, and relationship-building. Partner with development and marketing teams to bring the Community Life perspective into future planning, community design, and new initiatives. Serve as a composed and solutions-oriented leader when navigating complex resident, stakeholder, operational, or governance matters. What We’re Looking For Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional community management experience, ideally within a large-scale master-planned, community association, or similarly complex environment Minimum of 7 years of experience leading and developing professional staff Demonstrated success leading complex community operations with responsibility across multiple functional areas Strong knowledge of community association governance and experience working with Boards of Directors, Developers, committees, and governing documents Strong financial acumen, including significant responsibility for budgeting, financial review, forecasting, variance management, audits, and long-term financial planning Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior stakeholders, Board members, residents, business partners, and team members Experience overseeing facilities, vendors, contracts, risk management, landscape operations, or other large-scale community infrastructure Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to translate vision into practical execution Exceptional communication, judgment, organization, and problem-solving skills Ability to lead through growth, complexity, competing priorities, and change while maintaining a high standard of service Bachelor’s degree preferred Community Association Institute professional development or industry credentials are a plus Additional Requirements Onsite role based at Elyson in Katy, Texas Primary schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Because of the senior leadership responsibilities of this position, flexibility to attend Board meetings, community events, and other business needs outside normal working hours is required Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and an acceptable driving record Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds and remain on your feet for extended periods Equal Opportunity Employer Cohere is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members are valued and respected.