Have you ever received a Below Expectations on an annual review?

This happened to me, and it is one of the classic steps in the notorious "constructive discharge" process. The target is typically a high-performer reporting to a less experienced supervisor, and I fit that mold completely. I fought back by documenting every little thing, including emails to my supervisor summarizing our meetings. She refused to comply with the ADA accommodation that HR had worked out, and I documented that as well, both with her & with HR. I was eventually let go "with cause," but with a big buyout check.

So... document, document, document, and develop an exit strategy. If you can't relocate, look for volunteer or part time work that can help you transition.... and if they're doing to you what happened to me, there will be a transition.

I would ask for more specifics, ask to make an improvement plan together, and start looking for another role regardless. This reads a bit like you just expect to be able to stick around because of your title and your time in. I hope that's not the case, but that's the vibe I'm getting. It can be easy to get comfortable somewhere and then have comfortable turn into complacency. What have your accomplishments been this year? 18 years and a Senior Leadership role aren't the accomplishments. Those facts have no bearing on the review of what you have actually done in the last 12 months. Make sure you haven't been resting on those laurels waiting for the next 12 years to pass by until retirement. That's going to come through even if you've never said it to anyone. Do you keep track of accomplishments as they happen? Did you share them with your manager? What new and challenging objectives have you met? Poor communication style aside, it sounds like they are clearing a path to move you out because they perceive you as just occupying the role rather than leading in it. Think about whether that could be true. Or at least appear to be? Good luck.