Activity Director - Senior Living

Senior Living Communities; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charlotte, part of Senior Living Communities, seeks an Activity Director to lead the Member Services team in developing engaging programs and events for residents. This hands-on manager role plans varied activities, coordinates with departments, and ensures a rich, resident-centered daily routine aligned with the company’s people-first philosophy.

Evening and weekend hours may be required; CPR/First Aid and Activities certification are a plus, with budgeting and staff development

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED required.
• Four-year college degree desired.
• CPR and First Aid Certification required (within six months).
• Certification in Activities desired.
• 2–3 years’ experience planning and delivering events for older adults.
• Valid driver’s license and driving record in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the Life Enrichment Leader, Concierge, and Transportation Leader and trains on-boarding procedures.
• Leads a team delivering events and activities to promote a resident lifestyle; holds the team accountable for meeting objectives.
• Engages residents in Weller Life opportunities through formal activities and informal interactions.
• Plans and facilitates spiritual, physical, intellectual, cultural, and emotional programming for residents that is consistent with Senior Living Communities standards.
• Continuously gauges residents’ interests and updates a diverse menu of programming activities and events.
• Forges partnerships with local organizations to provide volunteer opportunities for residents.
• Creates and publishes written communications to promote programs and educate residents and families.
• Monitors resident participation and adjusts the calendar to increase engagement.

Skills

Team leadership

Event planning

Public speaking

Resident engagement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

CPR and First Aid Certification

Activities certification desired

Tools

MS Office Suite

Audiovisual tech

Web applications

Job description

At The Charlotte, we’re not just a luxury senior living company; we’re a community recognized as a Great Place to Work®—and we take immense pride in that designation. Our philosophy, “People First, Always,” underscores everything we do. We believe that our dedicated team is our greatest asset, driving us to create compassionate, respectful, and meaningful interactions every day.

Why Choose The Charlotte?

• A Culture of Growth and Teamwork: We foster an environment where your contributions are celebrated, and your personal and professional growth is encouraged.
• Make a Difference: Your work will enrich the lives of our residents and fellow team members, creating a lasting positive impact in our community.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a team that values each member's input, promotes collaboration, and strives to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

We’re looking for an Activity Director:

This position is responsible for the cohesion and teamwork of the Member Services department to deliver outstanding customer service and develop an enriching community program for the members and residents that integrates and meets their interests and needs into their daily routine. This position is a hands‑on manager and leads the Member Services Department to work together to develop and integrate social events, outings, programs, and activities, with a multitude of choices, for the members of the campus based on what they learn about members. The program shall be well‑tailored that includes, but is not limited to, themed events, educational opportunities, social functions, spiritual opportunities, day trips, cultural outings, lectures, informational meetings, and volunteer opportunities.

Due to the nature of this position, evening and weekends hours could be included in the work week.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises the following positions; Life Enrichment Leader, Concierge, and Transportation Leader. Also responsible for the training and on-boarding procedure for these positions.
• Attracts, retains, coaches, motivates and leads an energetic and engaging team that delivers robust events, programs and activities to promote a Weller Life resident lifestyle; holds the team accountable for meeting objectives.
• Engages residents in Weller Life® opportunities through formal activities and informal interactions.
• Plans and facilitates spiritual, physical, intellectual, cultural, and emotional programming for residents that is consistent with Senior Living Communities standards and focused on residents’ unique needs and interests.
• Continuously gauges residents’ interests, hobbies, preferences, curiosities and needs; creates and continuously updates a diverse and stimulating menu of programming activities and events accordingly.
• Seeks out and fosters partnerships with local organizations, non-profit groups, educational institutions, and others to identify opportunities for residents to share their talents through volunteerism and to bring outside talents into the community.
• Creates and publishes a variety of professional written communications to promote programs, educate residents and families, and share examples of Weller Life in the community.
• Monitors resident participation in programs to evaluate their appeal and increase participation; adjusts calendar or events accordingly.
• Stays abreast of active aging and generational trends in order to continuously enhance Weller Life initiatives; shares relevant information with peers and community staff to increase awareness and support professional development.
• Partners with the Executive Director to create the annual budget for the department; oversees purchasing, third party services, scheduling and other expenses to effectively manage the budget.
• Oversees transportation of residents in Senior Living Communities vehicles and ensures that vehicles are safely and properly maintained; may drive residents as needed.
• Shares successful activity blueprints with peers and participates in best practices calls.
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training Team Members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining Team Members; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Partners with peers and home office staff to deliver engaging and informative orientation and in-service training programs.
• Effectively administers and participates in Senior Living Communities “Manager on Duty” program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Expected Hours of Work:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of thisjob.

• An individual in this position is often required to read, write, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and/or hear.
• An individual in this position will be required to lift or carry weight up to 50 lbs.
• May be exposed to minimal to moderate noise.
• May encounter difficult situations, including contact with cognitively impaired and/or mentally ill individuals and deceased residents.

TRAVEL:

Local and out of state travel, including overnight stays, may be required from time to time for overnight programming, to attend conferences, training, meetings, and professional development programs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High school graduation or GED required.
• Four-year College or university degree desired.
• CPR and First Aid Certification required (must be attained in first six months of employment).
• Certification in Activities desired.
• 2-3 years’ experience in the planning and delivery of creative and diverse events, activities andprograms, preferably with older adults.
• Valid driver’s license and driving record in good standing and willingness to drive community vehicle(s)to transport residents.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability to quickly connect with diverse individuals, and to engage and motivate others.
• Commitment to setting a personal example by maintaining a Weller Life and empowering residents.
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in active aging, therapeutic recreation for older adults, and/or gerontology.
• Advanced computer skills including proficiency in MS Office Suite, audiovisual technology, and web applications; ability to quickly master new technology and applications.
• Ability to speak in front of large audiences.
• Excellent written communication skills including proper grammar and professional writing.