National Director of Resident Experience

Overview

Position Summary

The National Director of Resident Experience provides strategic leadership, oversight, and inspiration for holistic wellness programming across Franciscan Ministries’ senior living communities. Rooted in the mission to Celebrate Life and Serve with Joy, this role ensures wellness initiatives intentionally support the Seven Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Environmental, Spiritual, and Vocational.

This position partners collaboratively with community leadership and interdisciplinary teams to deliver meaningful, resident-centered wellness experiences that promote healthy aging, purpose, connection, and quality of life across all levels of care.

Essential Functions, Key Duties, & Responsibilities

Wellness Strategy & Program Leadership

• Develop and implement a regional wellness programming framework grounded in the Seven Dimensions of Wellness.
• Standardize best practices while allowing flexibility to reflect community culture and resident preferences.
• Ensure wellness programming is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to residents’ changing needs.

Seven Dimensions of Wellness Oversight

Physical Wellness

• Lead programming that promotes strength, mobility, balance, fitness, and healthy lifestyles.
• Collaborate with clinical and dining teams to support preventive health, fall prevention, and physical well-being.
• Ensure programming accommodates varying abilities and levels of care.

Intellectual Wellness

• Promote lifelong learning, cognitive engagement, and creative expression through educational and stimulating programs.
• Encourage curiosity, creativity, and continued personal growth.

Emotional Wellness

• Support programming that fosters emotional resilience, self-awareness, and positive outlook.
• Encourage initiatives such as mindfulness, yoga, journaling, art, music, and opportunities for reflection.
• Foster emotionally supportive environments where residents feel valued and heard.

Social Wellness

• Promote meaningful social connection through group activities, clubs, special events, and intergenerational opportunities.
• Encourage inclusive programming that builds community, belonging, and joy.
• Monitor engagement trends to reduce isolation and strengthen resident connection.

Environmental Wellness

• Collaborate with operations and community leadership to ensure environments support wellness, comfort, safety, and pride.
• Encourage use of indoor and outdoor spaces to enhance engagement and appreciation of surroundings.

Spiritual Wellness

• Partner with Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care to support faith-based and values-driven programming reflective of Franciscan traditions.
• Ensure opportunities for worship, prayer, reflection, service, and spiritual growth are accessible and inclusive.
• Support residents in finding meaning, hope, and purpose.

Vocational Wellness

• Promote purposeful engagement through volunteerism, mentoring, resident leadership, and service opportunities.
• Encourage residents to share their talents, skills, and life experiences to benefit the community.

Leadership, Collaboration & Development

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and support to Community Wellness and Life Enrichment leaders.
• Develop training tools, resources, and best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality programming.
• Collaborate with Operations, Clinical, Dining, Spiritual Care, HR, and Marketing teams to integrate wellness across departments.
• Support marketing and census efforts by highlighting wellness programming as a key differentiator.

Quality, Data & Outcomes

• Use resident feedback, engagement metrics, and satisfaction data to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and organizational standards related to wellness programming.

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and procedures and any updates.

Position Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, exercise science, gerontology, public health, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred

Licenses/Certifications: N/A

Experience: 5+ years of senior living leadership experience across multiple levels of care (including memory care) in wellness, life enrichment, or health and wellness required; multi-site/regional experience preferred

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of holistic wellness and aging services.
• Joyful, outgoing demeanor with the ability to engage residents, families, and team members authentically.
• Professional, collaborative leadership style that builds trust and partnership.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and coaching skills.
• Mission-driven, compassionate, and resident-centered approach.

Travel: Extensive regional travel is required for this position

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