St. Joseph Residence is seeking an Activity Director
Turn everyday moments into meaningful experiences. St. Joseph Residence is seeking a creative, compassionate, and energetic Activity Director to shape a vibrant resident experience across our skilled nursing, long-term care, and assisted living communities. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose - building relationships, celebrating individual interests, and creating engaging programs that bring connection, enjoyment, relaxation, and personal and spiritual fulfillment to each resident’s day.
If you are a collaborative leader who enjoys turning ideas into experiences and helping older adults live with purpose, belonging, and choice, this role offers the chance to make a visible difference every day. You will guide a dedicated team, partner with residents and families, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver programming that is welcoming, responsive, and truly resident-centered.
How You’ll Make a Difference:
Resident-Centered Programming
· Develop and lead an innovative, resident-centered activity program that blends meaningful social, creative, physical, cognitive, sensory, and spiritual experiences into each resident’s day
· Create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where residents of all physical and cognitive abilities can participate and thrive
· Plan, coordinate, lead, and participate in daily programming aligned with each resident’s interests, assessments, and plan of care - from resident-led informal gatherings to staff- or volunteer-led events
· Create, publish, and manage inviting monthly activity calendars and schedules tailored to each community
· Plan and support resident outings at least monthly, including driving the community bus
· Coordinate and oversee activity programming across both our nursing home and assisted living communities
· Ensure engaging scheduled programming is delivered seven days a week, including weekends and holidays
Resident, Family & Care-Team Partnerships
· Build strong relationships with residents and families through regular communication about preferences, activity options, schedule updates, and special events.
· Welcome new residents and families, support a positive transition into the community, and maintain meaningful ongoing relationships
· Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to enhance residents’ quality of life, including participation in daily clinical and behavior meetings and resident care conferences
· Complete required Medicare assessments, MDS documentation, and individualized care plans accurately and on time
· Record activity attendance, measure program effectiveness, gather resident feedback, and use insights to continually strengthen participation and satisfaction
Team & Volunteer Leadership
· Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop activity department team members who are committed to exceptional resident care
· Inspire and support activity staff and volunteers through clear expectations, hands-on training, coaching, recognition, and constructive performance feedback
· Recruit, train, coordinate, and recognize volunteers who enrich community life
Quality, Compliance & Community Engagement
· Develop and implement activity department policies and procedures that support quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance
· Ensure activity services and staff practices comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
· Contribute to quality improvement, ethics and resident council meetings
· Represent the community through outreach, marketing, and employee engagement activities
· Help create memorable community events, including volunteer banquets, holiday celebrations, and family picnics
Requirements
· At least two years of elder care or dementia care experience, including social or recreational programming in healthcare, assisted living, or long-term care
· At least one year of supervisory or management experience
· Qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, or willingness to complete a state-approved Activity Professional program
· Strong communication, organization, decision-making, delegation, and computer skills
· Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays
· CPR Certified or obtain certification
· Valid WI driver's license