The posting
Independent Living Recreation & Activities Manager
Full-Time | Richmond, VA | Senior Living | Independent Living
Create experiences. Build relationships. Enrich lives.
Are you a creative, energetic professional who loves bringing people together?
Do you enjoy planning events, organizing outings, developing programs, and building genuine relationships with older adults? Are you someone who can turn a resident's idea into a successful event and make people feel welcome and included?
LifeSpire of Virginia is looking for an Independent Living Recreation & Activities Coordinator to create and lead an engaging calendar of programs, events, outings, clubs, classes, and experiences for our Independent Living residents.
This is much more than an activities position. You will play an important role in creating a vibrant community where residents can connect with others, explore new interests, stay active, continue learning, express their creativity, and enjoy meaningful experiences.
You will work directly with residents and the Resident Council Activities Committee to learn what they want and need, then turn that feedback into outstanding recreation and life enrichment opportunities.
If you have experience in senior living, recreation, activities, event planning, community programming, therapeutic recreation, hospitality, wellness, resident engagement, or a related field, we encourage you to apply.
What You'll Do
Lead Recreation & Life Enrichment Programming
- Develop and maintain a dynamic monthly calendar of recreation, activities, events, outings, classes, clubs, wellness programs, educational opportunities, and social experiences for Independent Living residents.
- Work directly with residents and the Resident Council Activities Committee to identify interests, gather feedback, and develop programs that reflect the community's needs and preferences.
- Create programming that encourages social connection, lifelong learning, wellness, creativity, personal growth, and active living.
- Coordinate resident trips, special events, entertainment, guest speakers, classes, and community activities.
- Look for new and creative ways to enhance the resident experience and increase participation.
- Promote activities and events through calendars, announcements, newsletters, flyers, digital communications, and other appropriate communication methods.
Build Relationships & Community
- Develop positive, trusting relationships with Independent Living residents and become familiar with their interests, talents, personalities, and preferences.
- Partner with residents to encourage participation and create resident-led programs and activities.
- Work collaboratively with families, team members, volunteers, vendors, community organizations, and outside resources.
- Help create a welcoming, inclusive community where residents feel connected, valued, and engaged.
Coordinate Events & Daily Operations
- Coordinate with departments throughout the community to ensure successful execution of programs and events.
- Schedule and reserve activity spaces and maintain the room reservation calendar.
- Coordinate event setup, supplies, equipment, entertainment, transportation, vendors, and other logistical details.
- Purchase and maintain programming supplies and equipment while keeping inventory organized.
- Maintain accurate records and manage the monthly Resident Services/Programming budget.
- Assist with evaluating programming staff and supporting the overall effectiveness of the programming department.
- Attend Resident Services, department, resident council, and other meetings as requested.
- Provide leadership and support in the absence of the Resident Services Director when assigned.
- Drive the community passenger bus for resident outings and trips when needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned in a prompt, professional, and cooperative manner.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is organized, creative, outgoing, dependable, and genuinely enjoys working with older adults.
The ideal candidate will have experience in one or more of the following:
- Senior living activities or recreation
- Independent Living programming
- Life enrichment
- Resident engagement
- Recreation programming
- Therapeutic recreation
- Event planning and coordination
- Community programming
- Hospitality or guest services
- Wellness programming
- Parks and recreation
- Senior centers or community centers
- Nonprofit or community-based programming
- Adult education or lifelong learning
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Previous experience coordinating recreation, activities, events, programs, resident engagement, or a related field preferred.
- Previous experience working with older adults or in senior living preferred.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with residents, families, coworkers, vendors, and community partners.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, and follow through on details.
- Computer proficiency and ability to learn and use scheduling, communication, and office software.
- Ability to create attractive newsletters, flyers, calendars, and other promotional materials using desktop publishing or similar software preferred.
- Ability to occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on the community's activity and event schedule.
Transportation Requirements
This position occasionally drives an 18-passenger community bus for resident outings and trips.
- Must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within six months of hire.
- Must successfully complete an annual DOT physical.
- Must meet all requirements of the Community Driving Policy.
- Must be comfortable transporting residents safely and professionally to community outings and activities.
Education
A Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation, Gerontology, Hospitality, Event Planning, Human Services, Communications, or a related field is preferred, but equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
What Success Looks Like
In this role, success isn't simply measured by how many activities appear on a calendar.
Success looks like:
- Residents asking, "What's happening this week?"
- Residents suggesting ideas because they know their voice matters.
- A resident discovering a new hobby or interest.
- Residents forming new friendships.
- Well-attended outings and events.
- Programs that reflect what residents actually want to do.
- A community that feels active, welcoming, connected, and fun.
If you are the kind of person who gets excited about creating experiences, solving problems, organizing events, connecting people, and making someone's day better, this could be the opportunity for you.
Why You'll Love Working With Us
At LifeSpire of Virginia, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside a collaborative team while building meaningful relationships with an incredible community of residents.
Full-Time Team Members Receive:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Employer Retirement Contribution of 4.5%
- HSA Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Access to Early Earned Wages
- Supportive Leadership and Collaborative Teams
- A Meaningful Career Serving Older Adults
- An Opportunity to Make a Visible Difference in Residents' Daily Lives
Join a Team Where Your Work Matters
If you're looking for a position where you can use your creativity, leadership, organizational skills, and passion for people to make a real difference, we invite you to apply.
LifeSpire of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
