Activities Director for Independent Living

Avina of Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Avina of Milwaukee is seeking an Activities Director to lead a vibrant, resident-centered lifestyle program for an independent living community serving older adults. You will plan, promote, and deliver social, cultural, recreational, fitness, educational, and community-based opportunities that reflect residents’ interests and preferences.

The role requires overseeing safe program delivery, accurate billing and administrative tasks, and collaboration with residents, staff, entertainers, vendors,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in recreation, hospitality, wellness, gerontology, event management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience planning and leading activities, events, recreation, fitness, hospitality, or resident services; older adults experience strongly preferred.
• Current CPR/AED and first-aid certification, or ability to obtain within required timeframe.
• Proficiency with calendars, email, word processing, publications, digital signage, and basic billing/record-keeping systems; experience with TELS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Independent Living activities and maintain a welcoming environment that encourages participation.
• Create a balanced activities calendar for diverse resident interests and schedules.
• Schedule multiple entertainment programs, a birthday party, and several outings each month.
• Provide a weekly movie program with a mix of daytime and evening showings.
• Attend outings, coordinate logistics, monitor participation, and follow safety procedures.
• Plan and facilitate social, cultural, recreational, educational, wellness, and special-event programming.
• Monitor participation and feedback; adjust offerings for relevance and accessibility.
• Attend monthly resident-and-staff meetings to provide updates and gather input.

Skills

Resident engagement

Event planning

Communication

Leadership

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree in recreation, hospitality, wellness, gerontology, or event management

Tools

TELS

Job description

Position Summary The Activities Director leads a vibrant, resident-centered lifestyle program for an independent living community serving older adults. This position plans, promotes, and delivers social, cultural, recreational, fitness, educational, and community-based opportunities that reflect residents’ interests, abilities, and preferences. The Director is responsible for safe program delivery, clear communication, accurate billing and administrative follow-through, and collaboration with residents, staff, entertainers, vendors, and the marketing team.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Planning and Resident Engagement

• Lead all Independent Living resident activities and maintain a welcoming, inclusive environment that encourages participation.
• Create a balanced activities calendar that serves a wide range of resident interests, abilities, schedules, and levels of participation.
• Schedule three to four entertainment programs, one resident birthday party, and at least two outings each month.
• Provide a weekly movie program, with the monthly schedule including two daytime and two evening showings.
• Attend resident outings, coordinate logistics, monitor participation, and follow community safety procedures.
• Plan and facilitate social, cultural, recreational, educational, wellness, and special-event programming.
• Monitor program participation and resident feedback, and adjust offerings to improve relevance, accessibility, and engagement.
• Participate in a monthly resident-and-staff meeting to provide updates, gather input, and preview upcoming activities.

Assist residents with voter registration and coordination of absentee voting.

Communications and Community Promotion

• Create accurate, engaging monthly and weekly publications that advertise upcoming activities and events.
• Update the in-house television channel with current monthly activities, reminders, and program changes.
• Partner with the marketing team to develop events that introduce current residents to prospective residents, strengthen community connections, and support census growth.
• Communicate schedules, changes, fees, accessibility considerations, and participation expectations clearly to residents, families, and staff.

Facilities, Events, and Displays

• Oversee the art hallway and schedule timely, attractive displays.
• Coordinate room reservations for resident and family parties, programs, and special events.
• Complete room setup and takedown for activities, including arranging furniture, equipment, supplies, and decorations.
• Submit work orders to the Maintenance Department through TELS and follow up as needed to support safe, functional spaces.

Fitness and Wellness Support

• Work in the resident gym for three hours on two designated days each week.
• Assess resident fitness interests and functional goals within the scope of the position, create appropriate exercise programs, and provide one‑on‑one support.
• Demonstrate safe equipment use, reinforce posted safety guidance, document relevant participation information, and refer health or clinical concerns to the appropriate qualified professional.

Administrative and Financial Coordination

• Submit required documentation and requests for entertainer and vendor checks in accordance with community procedures.
• Accurately submit resident charges for gym use, outings, and other fee‑based activities.
• Maintain organized calendars, attendance information, reservation records, vendor details, invoices, receipts, and related program documentation.
• Manage program resources responsibly and communicate anticipated costs or supply needs to leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in recreation, hospitality, wellness, gerontology, event management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience planning and leading activities, events, recreation, fitness, hospitality, or resident services; experience working with older adults is strongly preferred.
• Current CPR/AED and first‑aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the community’s required timeframe.
• Proficiency with calendars, email, word processing, publications, digital signage, and basic billing or record‑keeping systems; experience with TELS is preferred.
• Any fitness instruction, assessment, or individualized exercise programming must be performed in accordance with applicable community policy, training, certification, and scope‑of‑practice requirements.

Core Competencies

• Resident‑centered service and respect for individual choice
• Creativity, initiative, and strong program‑planning skills
• Clear verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
• Organization, time management, and attention to detail
• Sound judgment, safety awareness, and dependable follow‑through
• Collaboration across departments and with community partners
• Professionalism, discretion, adaptability, and a positive presence

Schedule and Physical Requirements

Availability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings or weekends.

Ability to remain active for extended periods; move throughout the community; bend, reach, and stand; and arrange activity supplies, equipment, and furniture with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to travel locally with residents and work in indoor and outdoor settings as programming requires.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.