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Activities Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

MERRILL MIDDLE

MS Wild Card Activity - Merrill

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$18.50 - $25.25/hr

Reports and secures approval from Director of Activities and School Equity for all adults associated with their activity. * Follows and maintains knowledge of all district policies and procedures.

Campbell Street

Activities Assistant

Bettendorf, IA · On-site

$13.50 - $16.25/hr

Visits with residents on a one-to-one basis as directed. * Evaluates and reassesses activity interventions based on interdisciplinary plan of care and makes revisions as appropriate. * Ensure ...

Pacs

PART TIME ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT

Centerville, IA · On-site

$12.25 - $14.75/hr

General Purpose The primary purpose of the Activity Assistant is to assist the Activity Director run a creative and interactive activities program. This must be done in accordance with current ...

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All JobsActivities JobsActivities Director JobsActivities Director Jobs in Iowa

Activities Director information

See Iowa salary details

$11

$22

$39

How much do activities director jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for activities director in Iowa is $22.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $23.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an activities director?

As an activities director, you plan and oversee recreational events and programs most commonly in a facility for the elderly or disabled. You create and lead activities like arts and crafts, music, dance, and sports to develop their social skills and promote active, healthy lifestyles. To work with these populations, you need patience, compassion, and excellent communication skills. Your job duties include designing activities programs, training and managing assistants and other staff, interacting with patients, and providing first aid.

What does an activities director do?

An Activities Director works closely with various departments, including nursing, therapy, and dietary staff, to ensure programs meet residents' physical, cognitive, and social needs. They often gather input from team members and residents to create inclusive, diverse activities and must coordinate schedules and resources for smooth execution. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Activities Directors may rely on volunteers and other staff for support during events. This collaborative approach helps foster a vibrant, engaging environment for all participants.

What skills should an activities director have on their resume?

To thrive as an Activities Director, you need expertise in event planning, program development, and a relevant degree (such as recreation, hospitality, or a related field), often supported by certifications like CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist). Familiarity with scheduling software, budgeting tools, and compliance with regulatory standards is typically required. Strong leadership, creativity, and interpersonal communication skills help in engaging participants and coordinating with staff and vendors. These competencies ensure engaging, well-organized programs that enhance participant satisfaction and meet institutional goals.

What is the difference between Activities Director vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectActivities DirectorRecreation Coordinator
CredentialsCPR certification, activity planning experienceCPR certification, event planning experience
Work EnvironmentSenior living facilities, community centersRecreation departments, community programs
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, senior care, community organizationsMunicipalities, parks and recreation departments
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking senior activity planning rolesIndividuals interested in community recreation roles

The main difference between an Activities Director and a Recreation Coordinator lies in their scope and work environment. Activities Directors typically work in senior living or healthcare settings, focusing on planning activities for specific populations. Recreation Coordinators often work in municipal or community settings, organizing broader recreational programs. Both roles require similar certifications and involve engaging with the community, but their target audiences and organizational contexts differ.

Is being an activities director stressful?

Being an activities director can be stressful due to the need to coordinate events, manage budgets, and meet diverse participant needs. The role often requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, which can contribute to work-related stress.
More about Activities Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Activities jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Activities jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Activities Director jobs in Iowa?

For Activities Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Activities Director jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Activities Director jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Activities Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Activities Director job openings:

Activities Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Activities Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,089 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Activity Director (Full Time)

Rock Creek Senior Living

Ankeny, IA • On-site

$54K - $60K/yr

Full-time, Part-time, Per diem

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Description

“After spending 14 years in healthcare, I finally found my home with Arrow Senior Living. It’s home-like environment is not just for the residents but for the team members as well. From day one you embrace the core values, and you see how they impact residents’ quality of life. Arrow is a great company to grow with-it promotes within and the employee appreciation, incentives, and benefits are just a bonus on top of making residents and team members smile. I have become lifelong friends with this team, and I can happily say I love my job and enjoy coming to work.”

-Arrow Team Member
Position- Resident Services Director
Position Type- Full Time

Location:  Ankeny, Iowa
Salary Range-$54,600-$60,000


Shift Schedule- Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Manager on Duty Weekend Rotation 10am-2pm

Come join our team at Rock Creek Senior Living located at 3602 NW 5th St. Ankeny, Iowa 50023!

We are looking for someone (like you):

  • Be a Culture Creator. As the director of Resident Services, you set the tone of the community’s events as well as the engagement of residents who call the community home.
  • Be a Host with the Most: Develop, run, and maintain a quality activities program that enriches the lives of the seniors in the community.
  • Be a Heart of the Community: As the leader of Resident Services, it’s your job to know each resident, their likes and dislikes, and ensure their engagement and satisfaction every day through compassionate, first-class service.
     

What are we looking for?

  • You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
  • You shall have at least one year of experience in conducting group activities and be knowledgeable in evaluating resident needs, supervising other employees, and in training volunteers.
  • Knowledge of the requirements for providing care and supervision appropriate to the residents.
  • Able to read, write, understand, and communicate in English at a minimum of 12th grade proficiency.
  • You will possess clear verbal and written communication skills.
  • Able to follow written and verbal directions and apply practical solving skills if needed.
  • You will have a positive and energetic attitude.
  • You must be professional in appearance and conduct.
  • You must have the ability to frequently lift and/or move items up to 50 pounds. 
  • You must be criminally cleared.
  • Be in good health and physically and mentally capable of performing assigned tasks. Good physical health shall be verified by a health screening performed by a physician not more than six (6) months prior to or seven (7) days following employment. Must test free from pulmonary tuberculosis at time of health screening.
  • Must have a clean driving record as per the insured’s policy.
  • Possess and maintain the specific state-required chauffeur class license.

Employment Benefits (We value our benefits):

  • Company Match 401(k) with 100% match up to the first 3% and fully vested upon enrollment.
  • Medical, Dental, Vision insurance (1st of the month following 60 days of employment-Full Time)
  • Disability insurance (Full Time)
  • Employee assistance program
  • Weekly Employee Recognition Program
  • Life insurance (Full Time)
  • Paid time off (Full Time employees accrue up to 115 hours each year and Part Time accrue up to 30 hours each year)
  • Tuition Reimbursement (after 90 days for FT AND PT employees)
  • Employee Referral Program (FT, PT, and PRN)
  • Complimentary meal each shift (FT, PT, and PRN)
  • Daily Pay Option
  • Direct Deposit
  • Did we mention that we PROMOTE FROM WITHIN?

Do you want to see how much fun we are at Rock Creek Senior Living?  Please visit us via Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/RockCreekAnkeny

Or, take a look at our website:  https://rockcreekankeny.com/

Have questions? Want to speak to someone directly? Reach out by calling/texting your own recruiter, Kim Piaggio: 816-714-6885.
Click here to hear about Arrow's Core Values!

About the company

Arrow Senior Living manages a collection of senior living communities that offer varying levels of care including independent living, assisted living, and memory care in 44 properties currently in 7 states and employs nearly 2,500 employees!

Arrow Senior Living YouTube-Click Here
Arrow Senior Living serves and employs individuals of all faiths, regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or handicap, except as limited by state and federal law.

#INDHP

Keywords:  activities, coordinator, senior living, nursing home, retirement, director

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