Jim Standish

Visionary and results-driven healthcare executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and subacute care. Proven ability to improve occupancy, profitability, employee engagement, resident satisfaction, and regulatory performance. Decisive change leader skilled in operational strategy, financial management, project execution, labor relations, and team development.

Builds productive relationships with residents, employees, ownership groups, healthcare partners, vendors, unions, and regulatory agencies.

Executive Director at Symphony Northwoods (2023-11 – 2026-07)

Direct all operations for a 113-bed skilled nursing facility, with responsibility for financial performance, regulatory compliance, staffing, resident satisfaction, vendor management, and organizational objectives.

• Increased occupancy by 22% over 18 months through focused census development and operational improvements.
• Generated more than $1 million in profit in FY2024 by increasing revenue and strengthening expense management.
• Partner directly with organizational ownership to monitor budget variances, address performance gaps, and advance financial and operational goals.
• Manage the performance and outcomes of contracted dining and housekeeping providers.
• Successfully facilitated negotiations for the 2026-2028 union contract covering CNAs, housekeeping, laundry, and dietary employees represented by UFCW Local 1546.
• Maintain constructive relationships with Illinois Department of Public Health surveyors through professional communication, transparency, and mutual respect.

Administrator at Tutera Senior Living - Crystal Pines Healthcare Center (2018-06 – 2023-11)

Led operations for a 114-bed skilled nursing community, overseeing clinical and financial performance, regulatory compliance, staffing, resident satisfaction, and strategic development.

• Secured participation in the Northwestern Medicine Post-Acute Network, strengthening referral relationships and continuity of care.
• Developed a specialized cardiac unit to improve coordination and outcomes for Northwestern Medicine cardiac discharges.
• Advanced planning and construction of an on-site dialysis den to expand clinical capabilities and reduce transportation burdens.
• Conducted regular competitive analyses and developed operational and marketing responses to changing market conditions.
• Directed the performance of contracted dining and housekeeping providers.
• Adapted prevention and mitigation strategies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in response to evolving regulatory and clinical guidance.
• Participated in financial variance reviews with Tutera executives and ownership.
• Used a per-patient-day staffing model, exception reporting, and corrective action plans to align labor costs with census and acuity.
• Prioritized resident and employee satisfaction to improve retention and strengthen organizational culture.

Administrator at Lifespace Senior Communities - Beacon Hill (2016-12 – 2018-05)

Directed operations for a 110-bed health center and partnered with the campus executive in overseeing 398 independent living apartments.

• Coordinated facility operations to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Mentored facility leaders in achieving organizational goals, quality standards, and performance metrics.
• Introduced a new Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program to strengthen accountability and organizational outcomes.
• Implemented workforce initiatives focused on reducing turnover and unnecessary overtime while improving employee satisfaction.
• Collaborated with campus leadership to support operational continuity across the full continuum of care.

Administrator at Villa Healthcare - Villa at PA Peterson (2014-10 – 2016-11)

Oversaw operations and regulatory compliance for a 159-bed senior living community offering subacute care, sheltered care, independent living, and specialized dementia care.

• Aligned facility resources with corporate, resident, employee, regulatory, and financial objectives.
• Improved employee satisfaction from the 24th percentile to the 86th percentile through staff focus groups, leadership rounding, and responsive action planning.
• Increased employee engagement by 48%.
• Coordinated operational activities across multiple levels of care while maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety, and regulatory readiness.

Administrator at Presence Life Connections - Presence McAuley Manor (2012-09 – 2014-10)

Directed operations for a 112-bed Medicare- and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility and the Sisters of Mercy Convent assisted living community.

• Maintained compliance with federal, state, and county requirements.
• Converted the ministry to a per-patient-day staffing model to align labor resources with census.
• Introduced daily director rounding, increasing patient satisfaction from the 67th percentile to the 95th percentile.
• Oversaw financial, operational, staffing, and resident-care performance across skilled nursing and assisted living services.

Interim Administrator at Presence Life Connections - Presence Geneva Care Center (2012-07 – 2012-09)

Provided executive oversight during the facility's sale and transition to new ownership.

• Maintained a calm, resident-centered environment throughout the ownership transition.
• Ensured continuity of care, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and physical plant operations through the completion of the sale.
• Partnered with the vice presidents of operations, finance, and human resources to complete transition-related requirements.

Director of Environmental Services at Presence Life Connections - Presence Saint Anne Center (2001-08 – 2012-07)

Directed environmental services for a 179-bed senior care community in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

• Implemented an employee incentive program tied to cleaning efficiency, quality, and effectiveness.
• Negotiated vendor agreements that maintained or reduced service rates.
• Represented Presence Life Connections as a member of the organization's Illinois Department of Public Health mock survey team.
• Coordinated the conversion of semiprivate skilled Medicare rooms into private suites, improving marketability and supporting occupancy growth.
• Managed departmental staffing, vendor relationships, sanitation standards, and regulatory readiness.

Healthcare Administration and Long-Term Care Administration – College of DuPage