Memory Care Program Director

Merrill Gardens; Anthem (AZ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Paid time off

Free daily meal

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Disability insurance

Pet insurance

Advance Pay

Career advancement

Job summary

Merrill Gardens Anthem is seeking a compassionate Memory Care Director to lead our Montessori‑Inspired Memory Care program. You will oversee care standards, resident assessments, and family communications while guiding a dedicated team in delivering dignified, person‑centered support.

You will ensure regulatory compliance, manage staffing and budgets, and drive continuous improvement in dementia care services to enhance resident well‑being and engagement.

Qualifications

• Current LPN/LVN or RN licensure as specified by state.
• College degree or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in dementia care and assisted living settings is desired.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the highest standards for memory care services.
• Works directly with residents to assess needs and coordinate services.
• Evaluates and documents resident status and care plans in the electronic care system.
• Leads resident orientation and ongoing adjustments to the community environment.
• Maintains compliance with state rules and Merrill Gardens policies.
• Provides coaching and supervision to team members to ensure quality care.
• Manages staffing and budgets to support census and operational goals.
• Communicates with families, physicians, and team members to ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Team Leadership

Budget Management

Regulatory Compliance

Dementia Care

Staff Training

Communication

Education

RN/LPN Licensure

College Degree

Tools

Electronic Care System

Job description

Senior Living Memory Care Director

Are you passionate about working with seniors? Are you dedicated to supporting seniors on their wellness journey to ensure they are provided with an atmosphere that values individualism and dignity? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you! Merrill Gardens at Anthem is a Montessori-Inspired Memory Care Community supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We’re seeking compassionate Memory Care Program Director to provide respectful, personalized care that promotes dignity and independence through meaningful, hands‑on engagement.

If you are a compassionate, caring, responsible, and honest individual who genuinely loves working with the senior population, we would love the opportunity to speak with you!

Family means everything to us. From the communities we create to the connections we make with residents, everything we do is rooted in our history as a fifth-generation family business.

We build on that family with the people we hire and the teams they form. As a family company, we can do things differently and for the past 30 years our long‑term commitment to team members has been unsurpassed.

We offer our full‑time employees:

• Highly competitive pay and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance).
• Company‑paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off – 7 holidays, and 11 vacation days.
• Free daily meal every shift.
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting!
• Tuition reimbursement for career growth.
• Company‑paid short & long‑term disability insurance.
• Pet insurance and team member discounts.
• Advance Pay benefit – access wages before payday.
• A stable, growing company with opportunities for advancement!

We offer our part‑time employees:

• Free daily meal every shift.
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting!
• Company‑paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement for career growth.
• Pet insurance and team member discounts.
• Advance Pay benefit – access wages before payday.
• A stable, growing company with opportunities for advancement!

Our Memory Care Directors are responsible for:

• Resident Services:
  • Develops and implements the highest standards for Garden House services provided to residents.
  • Works directly with the residents to evaluate needs and services.
  • Conducts and/or assists with electronic evaluation of incoming residents, and periodic re‑evaluation of residents, to ensure services rendered are documented and charged for according to Merrill Gardens’ policies.
  • Implements services during new resident move‑in and helps residents with orientation to the community and with their overall adjustment to the community.
  • Provides direct care to residents as necessary according to their identified service needs.
  • Evaluates, communicates, and documents resident status on electronic care system.
  • Observes and reports any significant changes in resident behavior and health to the General Manager, physician, and family per state regulations.
  • Conducts regular meetings with residents and their families to ensure needs are being met.
  • Communicates with resident family members, physicians, and pharmacists regarding residents and services provided.
  • Ensures all resident rights and responsibilities are protected and enforced; recognizes and assists in the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and reports to the appropriate sources per state regulations.
  • Ensures compliance of all state rules and regulations of assisted living.
• Managing People:
  • Provides Team Members with coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities and builds effective teams.
  • Challenges and inspires Team Members to achieve results.
  • Mentors Team Members as needed to assist in their development and growth.
  • Evaluates Team Members’ skills and competencies and ensures the completion of performance reviews.
  • Sets clear expectations and holds Team Members accountable for performance.
  • Oversees training and development of Team Members directly and indirectly; ensures training and certification of all Garden House staff is completed as required by Merrill Gardens and state regulations.
  • Determines adequate staffing levels, identifies and recruits top talent, and prepares staffing schedules.
  • Provides coaching, direction, and leadership support to Team Members to achieve employee engagement and customer delight.
• Administration:
  • Ensures all practices in the Garden House meet or exceed Merrill Gardens and state requirements.
  • Coordinates with General Manager for financial stability of Garden House department from both census development and expense control; adheres to budgetary guidelines.
  • Provides General Manager with weekly status reports on all Garden House residents.
  • Maintains all resident records and department documentation.
  • Audits Garden House services for regulatory compliance. Provides required and requested management reports to leadership.

If you are someone with:

• Education/Certification:
• Current LPN/LVN or RN licensure as specified by state agency preferred.
• College Degree or equivalent preferred.
• First Aid/CPR certification (or must be able to obtain within 30 days of hire) where required by state.
• Completion of Dementia training as required by state regulations.

Experience:

• 3‑years related experience, training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in assisted living, geriatric nursing, or gerontology and dementia care.
• Experience in medication administration and hands‑on personal care preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and maintain department budget within guidelines.
• Experience in operating an electronic care system.

Physical Requirements:

This role involves frequent standing, walking, lifting (up to 75 lbs), and assisting with resident care. Regular bending, reaching, and physical movement are required throughout the workday. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Consider applying to become a Memory Care Director with the Merrill Family of Senior Living Communities!

Yes, You Can have a meaningful Career!

Our mission is to provide an inspiring environment for our residents, families, and team members where every life is defined by the possibilities.

Merrill Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer