Activity Director

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

· 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