V!VA Retirement Communities Leaside Opening in 2026!

V!VA is  looking for a Community Director with opening experience to add to our growing team!

Do you have a cheerful, helpful, collaborative and happy disposition?

Join a company that believes in Making Today Great!

Work at V!VA's Premiere Retirement Community Located in Leaside, Toronto, Ontario

Be a part of a team that shares a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of our Community Members

About V!VA Retirement Communities

What do you get when a team of experienced industry professionals combine their passion and decide it’s time to raise the bar in the retirement living industry?  You get V!VA Retirement Communities.  At V!VA, we aren’t about grand statements or lofty ideals.  We are a team committed to bringing the right mix of people together to inspire each other and deliver the highest standards of customer service and performance in the retirement industry.

Our modern rental retirement residences are each uniquely designed to suit the needs, habits and lifestyles of the surrounding community. This coupled with our Team Members who understand that sometimes a warm smile or a gentle hug can make a huge difference in someone’s day are the keys to our continued success.

It’s our shared values that make for a refreshing and caring approach to retirement living and help us achieve our mission – Making Today Great!

A New Opportunity Awaits

V!VA Retirement Communities has an exciting opportunity for a Community Director to lead the Opening V!VA Leaside team!

Reporting to the Regional Director, Community Experience, the Community Director is directly responsible for the overall management of the Community which includes having the sales/marketing and operating managers reporting directly into the role.  The key accountabilities include leading a successful opening, Community and financial management, working to continuously improve the Community Member experience and on-going Team Member development and experience.  The Community Director is responsible for creating a positive, innovative and inspirational environment where Team Members trust and respect is demonstrated through their ability to embrace and deliver the Orange Dot Values with Community Members, each other and all stakeholders. 

V!VA leaders work collaboratively to provide consistent and exceptional service to our Community Members by creating places where they love to live and laugh.  They inspire innovation, creativity, passion and a love of service for our Team Members. 

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Pre-Opening:

• With the guidance and support of Home Office, create and/or implement the tasks outlined in the V!VA Master Opening Plan.
• Actively participate in the development and/or execution of a recruitment strategy, which includes selection, hiring, orientation and training of all opening Team Members, and working with managers to develop a staffing model for each department.
• Actively participate in the development and delivery of V!VA University as a coordinator and/or trainer and/or participant. 
• Liaise with other V!VA Community Directors to gain insight into best practices and V!VA ways of work.
• Develop an operations plan for the Community that encompasses the operational processes and standards for each department, including training, scheduling and the coordination of cross-departmental services. 
• In conjunction with the Home Office Construction and Operations teams ensure all areas of the Community are ready for opening, which includes set-up, ensuring equipment is operational and Team Members are trained on all equipment including safety protocols.
• Actively participate by leading and driving the efforts of the sales and marketing team toward reaching pre and post opening lease up targets.
• Assist with coverage in the pre-opening Presentation Centre (when required).
• Ensure all ORCA/RHRA Standards are met upon opening and that the Community continues to meet those standards post opening.
• Ensure that all public health and other local business requirements are met and in place prior to opening.
• Ensure V!VA standards are implemented (PlayRight Handbooks, People Handbook, Service Culture Standards) as guided by Home Office.
• Provide leadership to mangers in the development of communication and programs for opening Team Members to ensure their engagement before opening and during the first few months after opening.
• Review and know the details of Community living for all new Community Members including but not limited to the contents of all move-in documents and Living Here Handbook.
• Lead the management team in developing post opening goals, tasks and responsibilities to ensure the long-term success of the Community.

Post-Opening:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Community providing leadership and guidance to the department managers and ensuring a high level of engagement and team morale.
• Implement strategies and initiatives developed during pre-opening; adjust plans to respond to needs of the Community and Community Members.
• Align the Community with the V!VA operational objectives and set goals for yourself and others to achieve those objectives.
• Monitor the financial performance of the Community against the annual budget, accounting for variances and implementing corrective actions as required to meet budget objectives.
• Identify, assess and resolve issues encountered in the day-to-day operations of the Community.
• Liaise with the Director of Marketing to establish, develop and/or implement local and company-wide marketing campaigns, strategies and programs.
• Work closely with Home Office to develop local quarterly and annual sales strategies, and ensure that the agreed upon plans are implemented, measured and that result accountabilities are clear and achieved.
• Identify, assess and engage in initiatives that will build strong ties between the Community Members, their families and the local community.
• Work with department managers to determine staffing requirements for the Community and ensure scheduling is aligned with the operating budget.
• Monitor the performance of all Team Members and use a variety of methodologies (ie: coaching, training, progressive performance management protocols) to ensure performance and behaviour aligns with V!VA’s culture, performance and job expectations.
• Ensure that all Team Members are effectively oriented to the Community and V!VA philosophies and practices including but not limited to delivering V!VA Onboarding and Orientation and V!VA U.
• Be a role model in driving our Culture of Service and Culture of Recognition through consistently superior service delivery and Team Member engagement.
• Actively participate in all safety related protocols (food safety, sanitation, etc) to maintain a safe working and living environment.
• Work collaboratively with all V!VA Managers to provide the Community with leadership, professionalism, passion and innovation.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to qualify for this role, you will have: 

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a senior leadership role within the assisted living or retirement living or health-care industry; related experience with dementia residential experience is an asset. 
• Graduate of a post-secondary institution in a relevant field.
• Practical experience in process management, customer service, facility management, human resources, financial management, and project management.
• Operational success in setting priorities, developing work schedules, creating and implementing processes, monitoring progress and reporting on details of the overall operation of a customer-service driven business.
• Proven experience in developing and executing effective business plans, incorporating both operational and marketing components.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential; confident interacting in a leadership role with Community Members, their families, Team Members, and external services and resources.
• Strong computer skills for job related functions including use of Excel, Word and various job-related software programs.
• The ability to work in a busy environment with frequent interruptions, as well as the ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to bend, stretch, sit and stand for long periods.  The complex has two towers:  the mobility to walk/move throughout both as needed. 
• Satisfactory Criminal Reference Check, including the Vulnerable Sector Screening; SMART Serve Certificate required.

Above all, you will share our commitment to upholding the V!VA Values and Culture. If making a difference in people’s lives is appealing to you, we would love to hear from you!

A full job description will be provided to eligible candidates during the recruitment process.

The Rewards

In exchange for all your hard work and determination, you will be rewarded with a competitive wage plus a great host of benefits, including:

• Team Meals. A weekly team lunch specially prepared by your talented Culinary Team.
• Making Today Great time. ‘Making Today Great!’ is our purpose, so each day you will be given time to share your experiences about how you’ve made Today Great for a Community Member and/or Team Member or how someone has made your day great!
• V!VA Scholarship. If you’re interested in taking a course that will benefit your career at V!VA, we’re happy to chip in.
• Orange Dot Program. Ever wanted to thank a fellow colleague for going above and beyond? Well, with V!VA’s Orange Dot Program, you can! Thank someone for doing a great job by rewarding them with points or receive your own points and redeem them for tons of great stuff.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join a growing organization and use your skills with an industry leader, Apply Today!

The estimated start date for this position is April 2025 with some flexibility which will take into consideration the construction schedule.

V!VA Retirement Communities welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Successful Applicants will be required to show proof of eligibility to work in Canada for the next 6 months.

V!VA Retirement works and operates in the vulnerable sector and the well-being of our community members and team members is important.  For this reason, V!VA Retirement Communities requires all new team members are vaccinated for COVID-19. 

Accommodation, including for those who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 due to religious or medical reasons, will be provided in accordance with V!VA Retirement’s obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, as amended from time to time, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, as amended from time to time.