Activities Director job description.
An activities director plans, coordinates, and leads recreational, social, and wellness programs for residents or members of a community, senior living facility, camp, or similar organization. They design activity calendars suited to varied interests and ability levels, recruit and train activity staff or volunteers, and evaluate program participation and satisfaction. The role blends creative programming with logistical coordination to keep participants engaged and active.
The Activities Director job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Activities Director Reports to: Executive Director
An activities director plans, coordinates, and leads recreational, social, and wellness programs for residents or members of a community, senior living facility, camp, or similar organization. They design activity calendars suited to varied interests and ability levels, recruit and train activity staff or volunteers, and evaluate program participation and satisfaction. The role blends creative programming with logistical coordination to keep participants engaged and active.
- Design and schedule a monthly calendar of recreational, social, and wellness activities
- Recruit, train, and supervise activity staff and volunteers
- Adapt programs to accommodate varying physical, cognitive, and social needs
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Executive Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Design and schedule a monthly calendar of recreational, social, and wellness activities
- Recruit, train, and supervise activity staff and volunteers
- Adapt programs to accommodate varying physical, cognitive, and social needs
- Coordinate outings, entertainment, and special events for residents or members
- Manage activity budgets and order supplies and equipment
- Track participation rates and gather feedback to improve programming
- Ensure activities comply with safety and regulatory requirements
- Collaborate with care staff, family members, and outside vendors
- Maintain accurate participation and incident documentation
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred
- Experience planning group activities in a healthcare, senior-living, or community setting
- Strong organizational and event-planning skills
- Ability to engage and motivate diverse groups of participants
- CPR/First Aid certification as required by employer
- Certified Activity Professional (CAP) or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential
- Experience with dementia-friendly or adaptive programming
- Budget management experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Activities Director job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Activities Director job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Executive Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What qualifications should I look for in an activities director?
- Look for experience planning group programming in a similar setting, strong organizational skills, and, for senior-care settings, a relevant certification such as CAP or CTRS.
- Does an activities director need a specific certification?
- Requirements vary by employer and setting; many senior-care facilities prefer or require a certification such as CAP or CTRS as required by state and employer.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Activity Assistant
An activity assistant supports the planning and delivery of recreational, social, and therapeutic programs for residents in senior living, assisted living, or rehabilitation settings.
Recreational Therapist
A Recreational Therapist uses activity-based interventions such as sports, art, and music to help patients recover from illness, injury, or disability.
Camp Counselor
A camp counselor supervises and mentors children or teens at day or overnight camps, leading activities, ensuring safety, and fostering a positive group experience.
This Activities Director job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.