Director of Celebrations (Senior Living, Activities Director)

Position Highlights

• Status: FULL TIME
• Schedule: Flexible leadership schedule with MOD coverage, on-call responsibilities, and operational flexibility required based on community needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and emergency support as needed.
• Location: 7420 West 159th Street Orland Park IL 60462
• Rate of Pay: $46K - $48K Annual Salary + 10% Annual Bonus
• Travel: 0% - Fully Onsite

About Discovery Management Group

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation's most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing. As part of one of the largest senior living families in the U.S., our communities have earned Great Place to Work® certifications from 2022–2027. At Discovery Management Group, purpose guides our work, culture fuels our success, and growth defines our future. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members' professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career.

Your Role

As the Director of Activities, your role includes developing and leading a vibrant lifestyle program that promotes health, wellness, active aging, engagement, and growth for residents across all levels of service.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and facilitate lifestyle programs that provide physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual opportunities for residents
• Organize and lead holiday celebrations, special events, and mixed-group activities that foster connection and community spirit
• Prepare, publish, and distribute the monthly activity calendar and community newsletter
• Maintain a robust public relations program, building partnerships with outside organizations, service groups, and independent contractors
• Oversee resident facing technology to ensure team members and resident are trained and the information is kept up to date
• Provide leadership to Activities Coordinators, supervising daily operations and ensuring program excellence across service levels
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to senior living programming
• Monitor participation and satisfaction through surveys, quality assurance tools, and resident feedback to continuously improve programming
• Manage Celebrations department budget, including purchasing and maintaining equipment and supplies
• Organize and oversee the community library, communication displays, and resident information boards
• Represent the community in internal and external meetings, delivering engaging presentations to residents, families, and partners

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Recreation, Education, Gerontology, Social Work, Adult Education, or a related field preferred
• Three to five years of experience in lifestyle programming or resident services within senior living or a related field
• At least two years of supervisory/management experience
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team-building skills
• Wellness certificate a plus (ICAA Leadership in Wellness)
• Ability to plan and execute diverse programming that meets a wide range of resident interests and abilities
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage residents, staff, and external partners
• Creative, resourceful, and resident-focused approach to program development

Why Join Us

Discovery Senior Living Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2027! A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It's just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members. Find out what makes working at Discovery unique in the world of senior living. Discover Your Purpose!

Our Culture & Values

So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we're unified by certain, core values, which we call our "Pillars of Excellence." They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY. Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid training and career growth opportunities
• Wellness-related benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)