Director Of Nursing (DON)

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Nursing (DON) / Health & Wellness Director – New Senior Living Community

Charter Senior Living of Winder | Winder, GA

Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year + Health & Wellness Director Bonus Plan

Full-Time | Monday–Friday | On-Call Responsibilities Required

LPN Required | Previous Assisted Living Health & Wellness Director Experience Required

Build the Team. Establish the Standards. Help Launch Something Exceptional.

Are you an experienced Assisted Living Health & Wellness Director or Director of Nursing who is ready for the opportunity to build a clinical department from the ground up?

Do you enjoy developing teams, establishing processes, maintaining regulatory compliance, and creating a culture where exceptional resident care starts on day one?

Charter Senior Living of Winder is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) / Health & Wellness Director to help launch our new senior living community!

This is more than a traditional nursing leadership opportunity.

We're looking for a proven Assisted Living clinical leader who can take ownership of the wellness department, establish clinical systems and standards, build a strong caregiving team, and prepare the community to welcome its first residents.

As a new-build community, Winder offers the opportunity to create the foundation for exceptional resident care rather than inherit an established department.

If you have strong Assisted Living and Memory Care experience, understand regulatory requirements, and are excited to build something from the ground up, we'd love to meet you!

Why This Opportunity Is Different

New Community • Leadership Ownership • Clinical Excellence • Career Growth

As the Health & Wellness Director at Winder, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the clinical department from the very beginning.

You'll play a key role in:

• Establishing clinical policies, workflows, and resident-care practices.

• Building and developing a dependable nursing and caregiving team.

• Preparing the community for resident move-ins and clinical operations.

• Creating consistent standards for assessments, care planning, medication management, and documentation.

• Partnering with the Executive Director and leadership team to establish a positive community culture.

• Helping ensure regulatory readiness and ongoing compliance.

• Supporting a successful opening and continued community growth.

This is an opportunity for a clinical leader who wants to build a department, develop a team, and see the long-term impact of their leadership.

The Three Things We're Looking For1. Proven Assisted Living Clinical Leadership

You have previous experience as a Health & Wellness Director or Director of Nursing in an Assisted Living community .

You understand how Assisted Living clinical operations work and can confidently manage resident assessments, care planning, medication systems, staffing, and resident-care services.

2. Strong Assisted Living & Memory Care Experience

You have demonstrated experience working in Assisted Living and Memory Care environments.

You understand the unique needs of senior living residents and know how to balance resident independence, safety, dignity, and quality care.

You bring a consistent employment history that demonstrates commitment, accountability, and leadership experience.

3. Regulatory Knowledge & Operational Readiness

You understand the importance of regulatory compliance and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.

You can establish effective systems, identify potential compliance concerns, prepare for inspections, and ensure clinical practices align with applicable Georgia Assisted Living and Memory Care regulations.

What You'll Be Responsible ForNew Community Clinical Setup & Opening Preparation

• Help establish the community's Health & Wellness department prior to opening.

• Develop and implement clinical workflows, procedures, and operational standards.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and training of nursing and caregiving associates.

• Establish systems for resident assessments, service plans, medication management, and clinical documentation.

• Prepare clinical supplies, documentation processes, and department resources for resident move-ins.

• Partner with the Executive Director and leadership team to support operational readiness.

• Help ensure clinical operations are prepared to support residents as occupancy grows.

• Establish expectations for resident care, communication, teamwork, and accountability.

Resident Care & Clinical Operations

• Oversee daily clinical and resident-care operations as the community welcomes residents.

• Conduct and oversee resident assessments and reassessments.

• Develop and maintain individualized resident service and care plans.

• Monitor resident conditions and coordinate appropriate clinical follow-up.

• Oversee medication administration systems, documentation, and medication safety practices.

• Coordinate resident care with physicians, pharmacies, families, and outside healthcare providers.

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.

• Promote resident dignity, independence, comfort, and quality of life.

• Establish strong relationships with residents and families.

Team Leadership & Department Development

• Recruit, lead, coach, and develop nursing and caregiving associates.

• Build a positive, accountable, and resident-focused clinical team.

• Establish clear expectations for care delivery, documentation, communication, and staff responsibilities.

• Support staffing plans, scheduling, training, and performance management.

• Provide hands-on clinical guidance and support to team members.

• Identify training needs and strengthen clinical competencies.

• Foster teamwork, professionalism, and consistent follow-through.

• Help build a department culture that supports associate engagement and retention.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Maintain compliance with applicable Georgia Assisted Living and Memory Care regulations and company policies.

• Establish and monitor clinical documentation and quality assurance practices.

• Support regulatory readiness, inspections, and corrective-action initiatives.

• Ensure appropriate medication management, infection prevention, and resident safety practices.

• Identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain organized resident records and clinical department documentation.

• Partner with community and regional leadership to ensure clinical standards are consistently maintained.

Community Growth & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Executive Director and department leaders to support a successful community opening.

• Partner with Sales & Marketing and community leadership during the resident move-in process.

• Help ensure new residents are appropriately assessed and supported.

• Support staffing and clinical operations as occupancy increases.

• Communicate effectively with residents, families, associates, and regional leadership.

• Adapt clinical processes and staffing needs as the community grows.

QualificationsRequired — Please Review Before Applying

• Active LPN license with authorization to practice in Georgia.

• Previous experience as a Health & Wellness Director or Director of Nursing in Assisted Living.

• Demonstrated Assisted Living and Memory Care nursing experience.

• Strong understanding of Assisted Living clinical operations and regulatory requirements.

• Knowledge of resident assessments, service planning, medication management, and clinical documentation.

• Experience leading, training, and developing nursing and caregiving teams.

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to establish processes, maintain accountability, and work independently.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing environment.

• Willingness to participate in required on-call responsibilities.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience opening a new Assisted Living or Memory Care community.

• Experience establishing or improving clinical department systems and workflows.

• Knowledge of Georgia Assisted Living and Memory Care regulations.

• Demonstrated employment stability and progressive clinical leadership experience.

• Experience recruiting, onboarding, and developing new clinical teams.

• Experience supporting resident move-ins and occupancy growth.

Important: Previous Assisted Living Health & Wellness Director experience is required. Candidates whose nursing leadership experience is exclusively in hospitals, skilled nursing, or other settings without Assisted Living HWD/DON experience will not meet the minimum qualifications.

Who Will Thrive at Winder?

We're looking for someone who:

• Has successfully led an Assisted Living clinical department.

• Understands the unique responsibilities of a Health & Wellness Director.

• Is confident in their clinical knowledge and decision-making.

• Knows how to build a team and establish clear expectations.

• Can create structure without needing constant direction.

• Is highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Understands Georgia Assisted Living regulatory requirements.

• Is comfortable building processes before residents arrive.

• Can adapt as the community grows and operational needs change.

• Takes ownership of problems and follows through on solutions.

• Communicates effectively with residents, families, associates, and leadership.

• Enjoys mentoring employees and developing strong clinical teams.

• Wants to make a long-term impact in a growing senior living community.

We're looking for a builder, a leader, and an experienced Assisted Living clinical professional who is ready to help create something exceptional.

Compensation & Schedule

Annual Salary: $80,000–$95,000

Health & Wellness Director Bonus Plan

Full-Time Leadership Position

• Primary schedule: Monday–Friday

• Participation in on-call responsibilities required

• Flexibility to support opening activities, resident move-ins, and clinical operations

Why Join Charter Senior Living?

Our mission is To Enhance the Human Spirit —and we believe exceptional senior living starts with strong clinical leadership and compassionate resident care.

As the Health & Wellness Director at Winder, you'll have the opportunity to help establish the culture, processes, and clinical standards of a brand-new community.

We've Got You Covered

• Competitive annual salary

• Health & Wellness Director bonus opportunity

• Pay-on-Demand with ZayZoon

• Free medical insurance plan options

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid training

• Paid time off and holiday pay

• Career growth and advancement opportunities

• Supportive community and regional leadership

• An environment where your experience, ideas, and contributions are valued

• The opportunity to build and lead a clinical department from the ground up

Our Core Values

• Serve with Heart

• Serve with Purpose

• Serve with Courage

• Have Fun While Serving

Ready to Build Something Exceptional?

If you're an experienced Assisted Living Health & Wellness Director who brings clinical expertise, regulatory knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to build successful teams , we want to hear from you!

Join Charter Senior Living of Winder and help us establish a clinical department where exceptional resident care, teamwork, and accountability are part of the foundation from day one.

Apply today to become our next Director of Nursing / Health & Wellness Director!