Director of Care

BJRC Recruiting; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BJRC Recruiting is seeking a Director of Care for a new dementia-focused community in Toronto. This full-time, on-site leadership role will build and guide a nurse-led care program from inception, establishing policies, staffing, and standards.

You will lead a clinical team across RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and support staff, driving resident assessments, care planning, and high-quality care delivery while ensuring regulatory compliance and staff development.

Qualifications

• RN with current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
• Minimum 3+ years nursing leadership experience in seniors’ care, long-term care, or memory care environments.
• Deep expertise in dementia care with strong clinical judgment.
• Ability to build, lead, and scale clinical teams.
• Strong knowledge of nursing practices, medication management, and clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and delivery of a dementia-focused, person-centred care model.
• Build the clinical program from the ground up with policies, procedures, and care standards.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop the care team (RNs, RPNs, PSWs, staff).
• Provide hands-on clinical leadership including resident assessments, care planning, and oversight of complex care needs.
• Oversee medication management, clinical documentation, and nursing standards adherence.
• Ensure compliance with regulations including Retirement Homes Act, RHRA, and CNO requirements.
• Maintain high standards of care quality, safety, and IPAC.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Dementia care

Team building

Clinical governance

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Resident assessment

Communication

Education

RN with CNO registration

Job description

Our client is seeking a Director of Care opportunity for the seniors’ care space. This role will be based full-time, on-site (5 days/week) in Toronto.

The position sits within a highly respected, nurse-led dementia care provider known for delivering specialized, person-centred care. The successful candidate will play a foundational role in launching a brand-new, purpose-built 65-suite dementia care community in a prime, downtown-adjacent Toronto location. This is a true ground-up opportunity for a clinical leader to design, build, and lead a care program from inception.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing delivery of a dementia-focused, person-centred care model
• Build the clinical program from the ground up, including policies, procedures, and care standards
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop the full care team (RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and support staff)
• Provide hands-on clinical leadership, including resident assessments, care planning, and oversight of complex care needs
• Oversee medication management, clinical documentation, and adherence to nursing standards and best practices
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including the Retirement Homes Act, RHRA standards, and CNO requirements
• Establish and maintain high standards of care quality, safety, and infection prevention and control (IPAC)
• Partner with physicians, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals to deliver integrated care
• Lead staff education, coaching, and performance management to build a high-performing clinical team
• Support occupancy and admissions through clinical assessments, family engagement, and tours
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director on operational alignment, risk management, and overall community performance

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN) with current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
• Minimum 3+ years of nursing leadership experience in seniors’ care, long-term care, or memory care environments
• Deep expertise in dementia care, with strong clinical judgment and understanding of complex care needs
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and scale clinical teams
• Strong knowledge of nursing practices, medication management, and clinical documentation standards
• Familiarity with Ontario’s regulatory framework for retirement homes and compliance requirements
• Hands-on leadership style, with the ability to operate across both clinical and operational responsibilities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Nice to Have:

• Experience supporting new community openings, lease-up, or program build-outs
• Experience developing clinical education programs and driving continuous improvement initiatives
• Exposure to interdisciplinary care models and mission-driven care environments