Activity Director Job Description: Free Template for Nursing Homes and Senior Living

The activity director shapes daily life in a senior living community more than almost anyone. They plan the calendar, lead programs, assess every resident’s interests, manage a team, and make sure the program meets regulations. Hiring the right person starts with a clear job description.

Below is a free activity director job description template you can copy and adapt, plus setting-specific notes, interview questions and what a typical day looks like. If you’re the one applying, our guide to activity director certification explains how to qualify.

What does an activity director do?

Federal rules for nursing homes describe the goal well: an ongoing program, based on each resident’s comprehensive assessment, care plan and preferences, that supports their choice of group, individual and independent activities and their physical, mental and psychosocial well-being (42 CFR 483.24(c)(1)). The activity director is the person who makes that happen every day.

Activity director job description template

Job title: Activity Director (also called Activities Director, Life Enrichment Director or Recreation Director)

Reports to: Administrator or Executive Director

Position summary: The Activity Director plans, organizes, leads and evaluates a person-centered activities program that meets the interests, needs and abilities of every resident. The Activity Director supervises activity staff and volunteers, works with the interdisciplinary care team, and makes sure the program meets federal, state and company requirements.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan and publish a monthly activity calendar with a balanced mix of social, physical, cognitive, creative, spiritual and sensory programs, including evenings and weekends.
• Lead group and one-to-one activities, adapting them for residents with dementia, limited mobility, or vision and hearing loss.
• Complete activity assessments for new residents and update them when needs change.
• Write and update the activities section of residents’ care plans and attend care plan meetings.
• Document participation and progress notes accurately and on time.
• Provide in-room programs and visits for residents who can’t or prefer not to attend groups.
• Hire, train, schedule and supervise activity assistants, and recruit and coordinate volunteers.
• Manage the activities budget, supplies and equipment.
• Plan special events, holiday celebrations, outings and family events.
• Build partnerships with schools, faith groups, entertainers and community organizations.
• Produce a resident newsletter and keep families informed about upcoming events.
• Follow infection control, safety and resident rights policies during all activities.
• Prepare for state surveys and respond to activity-related findings.

Qualifications (nursing home, including its memory care unit): Meets the federal requirements of 42 CFR 483.24(c)(2): licensed or registered by the state if applicable, and either eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or activities professional by a recognized accrediting body (on or after October 1, 1990), or 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years (1 of them full-time in a therapeutic activities program), or a qualified occupational therapist or OT assistant, or completion of a state-approved training course. NCCAP Activity Director Certified (ADC) preferred.

Qualifications (assisted living or standalone memory care): Meets [State] requirements for activity or life enrichment staff. Experience in senior living or recreation preferred. Certification a plus.

Skills: Warm, patient communication with older adults and families; creativity; organization and time management; leadership; basic computer skills for scheduling and documentation; comfort speaking to groups.

Physical demands: Able to stand and walk for long periods, push wheelchairs, set up rooms and lift activity supplies (adjust to your facility’s standard requirements).

Schedule: Full-time, with some evenings, weekends and holidays for events.

How the role differs by setting

Setting	What changes
Skilled nursing / nursing home	Federal qualification rules apply. Heavier focus on assessments, care plans, documentation and survey readiness. More in-room and adapted programming.
Assisted living	State rules apply. More independent residents, so more outings, clubs, fitness, learning and resident-led programs.
Memory care	Small groups, sensory and reminiscence programs, structured daily routines, and close teamwork with care staff. Standalone communities follow state rules; units inside a nursing home follow federal rules.
Independent living / 55+	Events, trips, wellness and lifelong learning. Often closer to a lifestyle or events manager role.

Activity director vs. activity assistant vs. coordinator

• Activity director: leads the department, owns the calendar, assessments, care plans, budget and staff.
• Activity coordinator: often used for a smaller community’s single activities role, or a mid-level role between assistant and director. Titles vary by employer.
• Activity assistant or aide: leads and supports programs, transports residents, sets up rooms and helps with documentation under the director’s supervision.

10 interview questions for activity director candidates

1. Walk me through how you build a monthly activity calendar.
2. How do you find out what a new resident enjoys?
3. Tell me about an activity you adapted for a resident with dementia or limited mobility.
4. How do you engage residents who never come to group activities?
5. What does person-centered activity programming mean to you?
6. How do you handle documentation and care plan deadlines on a busy week?
7. Describe a time you dealt with a difficult survey finding or complaint.
8. How do you train and motivate activity assistants and volunteers?
9. How would you stretch a small activities budget?
10. What’s the most successful event you’ve planned, and why did it work?

A typical day

Time	Typical tasks
Morning	Check the day’s calendar, brief assistants, lead a morning exercise or news-and-coffee group.
Late morning	New resident assessments, care plan meeting, one-to-one visits.
Afternoon	Lead a large group program like bingo or trivia, then a smaller memory care session.
Late afternoon	Documentation, ordering supplies, planning next month’s calendar and newsletter.
Some evenings	Special events, family nights, entertainment.

Tips for writing your job posting

• Lead with what makes your community a great place to work: team culture, resident stories, support for certification.
• Be honest about evenings and weekends.
• List the tools you provide, such as an activity library or planning software.
• Mention if you pay for certification or continuing education.

Give your new activity director a head start

The fastest way to help a new director succeed is to cut planning time. ActivityBuilder gives your team an activity calendar builder with 580+ ready-to-run activities, a newsletter designer and built-in games. Pair it with our calendar planning guide and nursing home activity ideas. Start a free trial to see it in action.