Lifestyle and Programming Manager

Lifestyle and Programming Manager

• Reports to: General Manager
  Job Status: Full-Time
  Location: 15055 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON, Canada L4G 6T4
• Compensation: 45,000 to 50,000 Annually

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative, and compassionate Activity Manager who is passionate about creating meaningful experiences and promoting an active, vibrant lifestyle for our residents. The successful candidate will be a natural leader who can inspire participation, build relationships, and create programs that bring our community together.

Skills & Attributes

• Passion for Seniors: A genuine passion for working with seniors and creating a positive, active, and socially connected retirement lifestyle.
• Creativity & Innovation: Ability to develop fresh, engaging, and innovative activities, programs, outings, and special events that appeal to a diverse resident population.
• Resident Engagement: A strong ability to motivate, encourage, and inspire residents to participate while respecting individual preferences, abilities, and choices.
• Leadership: Confident and positive leadership skills with the ability to coordinate staff, volunteers, residents, and community partners.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with residents, families, team members, volunteers, and external organizations.
• Relationship Building: Ability to develop meaningful partnerships with community organizations, schools, entertainers, service providers, and volunteers.
• Organization: Excellent planning, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Initiative: Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while taking ownership of responsibilities.
• Problem Solving: Creative and practical approach to identifying challenges, developing solutions, and adapting programs when circumstances change.
• Results Focused: A strong drive to turn ideas into action and deliver programs that create measurable value and positive resident experiences.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and remaining positive, calm, and solution-focused under pressure.
• Professionalism & Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with all departments and contribute to a respectful, supportive, and welcoming community.
• Business Awareness: Understanding of budgets, resources, scheduling, program costs, and the importance of supporting the overall success of the residence.

What You Bring to the Table

Required Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in recreation, active living, wellness, leisure services, or a related field.
• Minimum one (1) year of leadership or supervisory experience, preferably working with seniors or mature adults in a retirement, long-term care, community, healthcare, or related environment.
• Minimum two (2) years of post-secondary education in Recreation, Active Living, Leisure Studies, Gerontology, Social Services, Kinesiology, Health Promotion, Health Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience designing and delivering recreational, wellness, social, educational, cultural, and special-event programming for seniors.
• Knowledge and experience adapting programs for individuals with cognitive, physical, mobility, and sensory impairments.
• Understanding of dementia-friendly programming and approaches for supporting residents living with cognitive impairment.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and related applications.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, community partnerships, entertainers, vendors, and external service providers is an asset.
• Certifications or training in gerontology, senior fitness, dementia/Alzheimer's care, wellness programming, volunteer management, Food Handling, and Smart Serve are considered assets.
• Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check, including a Criminal Background Check, completed within the last six months, or be willing to obtain one.

Nice to Have

• Experience in retirement living, healthcare, or a seniors' community.
• Experience supervising recreation staff and volunteers.
• Current First Aid & CPR Certification.
• Experience working in a unionized environment and knowledge of collective agreements.
• Experience with program budgeting, reporting, and resource management.
• Passion for creating meaningful, engaging, and person-centered experiences for seniors.