Director of Activities

The Gatesworth Communities; University City (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gatesworth Communities in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Director of Activities to lead engaging programs for skilled nursing residents. You’ll design, plan, oversee activity schedules, mentor an Activity Assistant team, and partner with families to improve quality of life.

Requires 3–5 years in geriatrics or recreation administration and prior management experience. Missouri Activity Director certification is preferred; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in geriatrics, recreation, activities, or social services administration (required).
• Prior management or supervisory experience, including hiring, scheduling, and evaluating staff (required).
• Activity Director certification for the state of Missouri (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Learn each resident’s lifestyle, interests, and needs, and build individualized activity plans.
• Complete the resident assessments and care plans activity portion on time.
• Plan and lead in-room and one-on-one visits for residents who prefer to stay in their apartments.
• Create and distribute monthly activity calendars to residents and their designees.
• Hire, schedule, coach, and evaluate Activity Assistants.
• Help build the department budget and manage spending within it.
• Keep residents safe during all programs and outings.
• Report maintenance and safety concerns to the Director of Facilities and Administrator.

Skills

Staff management

Communication

Geriatrics knowledge

Program development

Education

Missouri Activity Director certification

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Director of Activities – Skilled Nursing & Extended Care | McKnight Place Extended Care | St. Louis, MO | Full-Time

Lead Meaningful Activities in a Locally Owned Senior Living Community

McKnight Place Extended Care, part of The Gatesworth Communities, is looking for a Director of Activities to plan and lead engaging activity programs for skilled nursing residents. If you’re an experienced Certified Activity Director, Activity Professional, or Recreation Therapy leader with 3+ years in senior care and prior management experience who loves building programs around what residents actually enjoy, this is a chance to make a daily difference in a long-term care setting you can be proud of.

About the Role

As Director of Activities, you’ll design and run individual and group programs based on resident interests, lead and develop an Activity Assistant team, and serve as a welcoming face of McKnight Place Extended Care to residents, families, and the St. Louis community. Our mission is to safely provide the highest quality services, programs, and facilities to enhance each resident’s quality of life, every day.

What You’ll Do

• Learn each resident’s lifestyle, interests, and needs, and build individualized activity plans
• Complete the activity portion of resident assessments and care plans on time
• Plan and lead in-room and one-on-one visits for residents who prefer to stay in their apartments
• Create and distribute monthly activity calendars to residents and their designees
• Hire, schedule, coach, and evaluate Activity Assistants
• Help build the department budget and manage spending within it
• Keep residents safe during all programs and outings
• Follow facility policies, the Employee Handbook, and the Activity Departmental Manual
• Report maintenance and safety concerns to the Director of Facilities and Administrator
• Manage debit memos and check requests
• Serve on assigned committees

What You’ll Bring

• 3 to 5 years of experience in geriatrics, recreation, activities, or social services administration (required)
• Prior management or supervisory experience, including hiring, scheduling, and evaluating staff (required)
• Activity Director certification for the state of Missouri (preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and a warm, professional manner with residents, families, and staff
• Ability to read, write, and speak English and to follow directions and policies

Physical Requirements

Frequent walking, standing, bending, and use of arms and hands; assisting residents with walking and pushing wheelchairs; occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs. and sitting. Adequate hearing and vision. Work is performed indoors, with occasional exposure to fumes, odors, dust, chemicals, and equipment.

Why The Gatesworth Communities?

We’re a locally owned St. Louis senior living organization with a reputation for quality and a culture where every employee makes a real contribution to resident care.