The high quality of people working in retirement living is typified by the career of Levande’s newly appointed Area Manager Victoria Edgley.
Her career began in the UK, as she gained valuable, transferable skills as a book publisher in Covent Garden, London, and then owning and managing a local pharmacy.
When she returned to Melbourne that she embarked upon the retirement living path, joining Not For Profit VMCH as a Village Manager. In this role, she helped establish the cultural foundation at the new Barnsbury development in Deepdene, which transformed unused tennis courts into an elegant boutique property. In less than a year, Victoria successfully supported and guided the village from pre-settlement to full occupancy.
She moved to Lendlease, assuming the dual roles of Sales and Village Manager at a well-established village in Burwood East.
“I found a whole new set of challenges here,” she recalled. “It was my job to oversee the entire sales process and to ensure residents’ transition into their new homes – which included villas and vertical accommodation – went smoothly. Lots to look after, but very satisfying.”
A highlight of Victoria’s time there was an early morning visit from Channel 7’s national breakfast program Sunrise, during which residents helped to showcase the village with water aerobics and a hat parade!
Victoria then took on the role of Senior Village Manager, overseeing the Victorian Premium Portfolio for Lendlease from Classic Residences Brighton. In this capacity, she spearheaded a major refurbishment project that not only engaged residents, but also was recognised with the Property Council’s award for the Best Refurbishment of 2021.
Victoria managed a diverse team on-site, offering residents a comprehensive array of services, including a Health and Wellbeing Centre, an a-la-carte restaurant and café, 24-hour on-site care, emergency response services, a grocery store, and a Day Spa. Her portfolio also included Menzies Malvern and The Brighton on Bay, and she took on the role of operational lead for Kennedy Place, by Ardency (now Keyton), a prestigious development in Richmond which opened last month.
Driven by her passion for new challenges and opportunities for growth, Victoria took up the position of Area Manager at Levande in July this year, marking a natural progression in her career.
“I was drawn to Levande’s vision of becoming the nation’s most trusted provider of retirement living, and I felt a strong alignment with its values, emphasizing trustworthiness, excellence, and caring,” says Victoria.
In her role as Victorian Area Manager, she provides essential support, guidance, and leadership to her team. She oversees a portfolio of villages within a designated region, ensuring their operational and financial success while prioritising an exceptional resident experience. Collaborating closely with the Chief Operations Officer, the Operations Leadership Team, and other Area Managers, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and translating it into core operational priorities for the villages.
One of Victoria’s primary focuses is driving employee engagement and nurturing leadership skills across her portfolio. She strives to align operational objectives with a skilled workforce that can deliver top-notch service to residents.
Victoria recognises the critical and multi-faceted role Village Managers play as the faces of the business.
“Village Managers are responsible for so much,” says Victoria. “Everything from safety and compliance, engagement programs, fostering a positive culture, managing finances, leading their teams, and, above all, prioritising residents’ well-being.”
Victoria says there’s no secret to success in her role – just an ability to listen to her team and residents, make well-informed decisions promptly, provide relevant support, and understand the diverse demands faced by Village Managers.
“I think any retirement living business must place residents and then village managers at the centre of its thinking, which is something I’ve been pleased to see exemplified at Levande. Our commitment to engaging with Village Managers, equipping them for success, and supporting resident engagement really resonates with me.”
To her village managers, Victoria’s advice is simple and clear: Keep up the excellent work! She recognizes their dedication to working with residents every day, often in dynamic and challenging environments.
Away from the villages, Victoria has a passion for travel and recently enjoyed a memorable trip to Egypt and Jordan. Vacation time gives Victoria a chance to relax and let someone else manage things for a change.
“Fortunately, my husband is very meticulous,” laughs Victoria. “Before we leave on holiday, he creates a day-by-day activity presentation, which actually makes things very organised and very convenient.”