WELLNESS ARTS MANAGER

Position Description

The Wellness Arts Manager is responsible for developing, planning, organizing, and implementing comprehensive wellness programs that enhance residents' physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, environmental, and overall well-being. With a background in recreational programming and management experience within independent living at a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), this role will lead the creation of innovative, resident-centered leisure and wellness initiatives. The primary goal is to foster an engaging and vibrant community that meets the diverse needs and interests of residents across the continuum of care.

This position works closely with residents, staff, and external partners to design innovative, engaging, and purpose-driven recreational experiences that are tailored to the unique interests and abilities of the Arbor Acres community.

Status: Exempt

Job Relationships

• Reports to the Director of Continuing Care.
• Supervises the Wellness Arts Coordinators, Life Enrichment Coordinators, Life Enrichment Assistants, and the Fitness Coordinator.
• Collaborates closely with the Director of Dining Arts, Director of Environmental Arts, Director of Spiritual Arts, and other department leaders to ensure a coordinated and unified approach to campus-wide recreational events and programs.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, oversee, and execute a diverse schedule of recreational programs, workshops, and wellness-focused events that meet the needs and interests of residents across the continuum, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
• Represents the organization in a positive manner while creating an environment that fosters respect and courtesy for our residents, staff, vendors and professional partners alike.
• Incorporate evidence-based practices from expressive and therapeutic arts to promote physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, and environmental well-being.
• Foster opportunities for residents to showcase their talents through exhibitions, performances, or presentations.
• Create meaningful opportunities for residents to highlight their talents and creativity by organizing dynamic and engaging exhibitions, performances, and presentations.
• Adapt activities as appropriate to meet the diverse needs of residents across all levels of care within the community.
• Incorporate evidence-based programming to promote wellness, intellectual stimulation, and social engagement.
• Collaborate with residents, staff, and community partners to develop innovative, leisure programs that reflect the interests and abilities of residents.
• Utilizes feedback from residents and family surveys to continuously enhance and tailor programming.
• Effectively supervise and mentor wellness department staff and volunteers, ensuring effective delivery of programs and services.
• Provide leadership and guidance to wellness department staff and volunteers, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of programs and services while fostering a supportive and high-performing team environment.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and inspiring team culture by promoting open communication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to resident satisfaction and engagement. Lead by example, encouraging staff to innovate, and consistently prioritize the needs and well-being of residents.
• Train Wellness team members on wellness dimension principles, safety protocols, and effective resident engagement strategies to ensure high-quality program delivery and a safe, supportive environment.
• Proactively serves as an advocate for residents well-being by addressing concerns in a timely and compassionate manner and implementing strategies to continuously enhance their quality of life. Lead efforts to identify and resolve issues, ensuring that resident needs are met with the highest level of care and attention.
• Develop collaborative, positive relationships with residents to understand their preferences, abilities, and individual goals, ensuring programs reflect their interests, abilities, and aspirations.
• Facilitate opportunities for residents to contribute to program planning. Encourage a sense of involvement and community by incorporating resident feedback and preferences into program development.
• Create inclusive opportunities across the continuum of care that promote active participation, self-expression, and personal growth. Advocate for resident-centered care by fostering a culture that prioritizes individual needs and preferences, ensuring residents feel valued, respected, and engaged. Lead efforts to develop a vibrant community where all programs and services align with a commitment to quality care and enrichment.
• Develops, monitors, and operates the annual Wellness Arts Department annual budget and capital budget to manage monthly expenditures to ensure effective financial resource allocation and cost efficiency, while maintaining adherence to budgetary guidelines to meet department goals.
• Maintain and oversee accurate records of program attendance, resident participation, and evaluation outcomes within the resident engagement platform to track engagement and measure the impact of wellness initiatives across the continuum. Use this data to assess program effectiveness, identify trends, and inform decisions for continuous improvement and future planning.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and industry best practices related to recreational programming and wellness initiatives. This includes staying informed on relevant laws, guidelines, and standards while overseeing the implementation of programs that meet these requirements. Regularly assess and update policies and procedures to align with current regulations, ensuring all activities and any recreational therapies are delivered with the highest standards of care, safety, and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with other departments to align programs with the organizations mission and vision.
• Partner with other departments to align programs with the organization's mission and values.
• Cultivate relationships with local artists, wellness practitioners, and community organizations to enrich program offerings.
• Lead initiatives to enhance innovative wellness arts communication by designing and redesigning calendars, newsletters, and other wellness arts materials through technology platforms, ensuring they engage residents effectively and align with organizational goals.
• Effectively develops a departmental standard operating procedure to determine wellness needs of the residents in all levels of care in order to effectively provide adequate programming. This includes, but is not limited to, assessments, surveys, resident surveys and trending reports.
• Develops and administers company-wide standard policies and procedures for the Wellness Arts Department. Includes parameters for each dimension of wellness.
• Collaborates with Marketing to develop on-going communication updates for the website, wait list residents, and prospective residents. Also, collaborates to ensure appropriate and engaging events and programs are identified on the calendar each month for Marketing to invite prospective residents to.
• Ensures that all Wellness Coordinators comply with all Arbor Acres policy and procedures.
• Promotes positive public relations by involving outside individuals and community groups in monthly and / or seasonal program presentations and events of resident interest. Maintains a community resource file.
• Attends Town Hall meetings and provides such reports to residents as deemed necessary to build their awareness of Arbor Acres recreation and wellness programs.
• Assists Resident Council with fundraising events by participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of designated outreach programs.
• Participates in strategic planning, as assigned, and serves as a resource for information on innovations and best practices in activities/recreation, fitness/wellness and volunteer programs.
• Collaborates with the Human Resources Department to ensure that all vendors, entertainers, volunteers, etc., have been screed from the OIG list.
• Promotes a positive environment that encourages resident engagement in outings, expanding their travel opportunities both within the local community and beyond. Takes responsibility for serving as a chaperone on overnight trips, which may extend beyond one night and include weekend or out of state / out of the country travel.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Continuing Care or Chief Health and Wellness Officer.

Minimum Education

Bachelors degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited university.

Minimum Experience

Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in recreational therapy or life enrichment programming, preferably within a CCRC or senior living environment.

• A minimum of two (2) years professional experience in activity planning, recreation therapy, or wellness, preferable in a facility or program that serves Senior Adults. Management experience is preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience working with older adults in a health care and/or retirement setting.
• A minimum of three (3) years of program management and people management.