Connections Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Kensington White Plains | White Plains, NY

Salary: $85,000-$95,000

Schedule: Full-Time | Sunday–Thursday

Turn Your Passion for Dementia Care Into Purpose

Are you passionate about dementia care, cognitive wellness, and creating meaningful moments for older adults?  At The Kensington White Plains , we believe memory care is about far more than a diagnosis. It is about understanding the person, meeting them where they are, celebrating their strengths, and creating opportunities for connection, independence, purpose, and joy every single day.

Our Promise is:

“To love and care for your family as we do our own.”

That Promise extends not only to our residents and families, but to our team members as well. We are seeking a compassionate, creative, and knowledgeable Connections Program Manager who is excited to bring their dementia-care experience to a specialized program serving residents experiencing early-stage cognitive change. Whether your background is in dementia care, memory care, therapeutic recreation, life enrichment, social work, senior living, cognitive wellness, or a related field , this is an opportunity to take your expertise and make a meaningful impact. At The Kensington White Plains , you’ll join a community guided by four core values:

A Love for Seniors • Respect for Each Other • Passion for Excellence • A Spirit to Serve

Come build deeper connections, grow your expertise, and help redefine what meaningful dementia care can look like.

About Our Connections Program

Connections is The Kensington’s signature early-stage memory care program. Designed for residents experiencing mild cognitive change, Connections bridges the space between traditional Assisted Living and Memory Care by providing the right balance of independence, structure, cognitive stimulation, social connection, physical wellness, and personalized support.

Our goal is not simply to keep residents busy. Our goal is to know them.

To understand their histories, interests, abilities, routines, strengths, and changing needs—and use that knowledge to create days that feel familiar, engaging, purposeful, and meaningful.

The Connections Program Manager is the heart of that experience at The Kensington White Plains .

This individual develops and leads specialized programming while building meaningful relationships with residents, families, and team members. You will have the opportunity to combine your knowledge of dementia with creativity, compassion, observation, and relationship-centered care.

What You’ll DoCreate Meaningful Cognitive & Therapeutic Programming

• Develop and oversee a robust calendar of daily programming specifically designed for residents experiencing cognitive change.

• Create opportunities for cognitive stimulation, brain fitness, social engagement, emotional wellness, movement, music, art, reminiscence, sensory experiences, and purposeful activity.

• Lead engaging small groups, larger programs, and individualized one-on-one experiences.

• Adapt programs in real time based on residents’ abilities, interests, energy levels, and changing needs.

• Build a predictable daily rhythm that provides residents with comfort and structure while still creating opportunities for spontaneity and joy.

• Regularly evaluate programming and introduce new approaches based on resident engagement and outcomes.

Know the Person Behind the Diagnosis

• Build genuine relationships with residents and learn their individual histories, preferences, routines, strengths, and interests.

• Complete resident assessments and contribute to individualized support and service plans.

• Observe changes in cognition, behavior, engagement, mood, and participation and communicate observations to the appropriate interdisciplinary team members.

• Maintain accurate documentation of attendance, engagement, and meaningful resident observations.

• Help identify approaches that allow each resident to participate successfully and experience a sense of accomplishment.

Partner With Families

Families are an essential part of the Connections journey. The Connections Program Manager will:

• Develop trusting and supportive relationships with resident families.

• Provide regular updates and meaningful touchpoints regarding resident participation and engagement.

• Participate in care and service-plan discussions.

• Support family education related to cognitive change and dementia.

• Coordinate Connections family gatherings, educational opportunities, and special events.

• Serve as a knowledgeable and compassionate ambassador for the Connections Program during tours and community events.

Lead Through Collaboration

Exceptional dementia care requires an interdisciplinary approach. You will work closely with Assisted Living leadership, Nursing/Clinical Services, Life Enrichment, Dining, Rehabilitation, and other departments throughout The Kensington White Plains to create a cohesive resident experience.

You will also:

• Coach and support team members working with Connections residents.

• Help team members understand successful approaches for engaging residents experiencing cognitive change.

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and service-plan reviews.

• Support dementia education and training initiatives.

• Model patience, flexibility, empathy, creativity, and person-centered care.

Who We’re Looking For

We would love to meet someone who genuinely loves working with older adults and has a special passion for dementia care.

Our ideal candidate brings:

• Experience working with older adults and/or individuals living with dementia or cognitive impairment.

• A strong understanding of person-centered dementia care.

• Experience in Memory Care, dementia programming, therapeutic recreation, Life Enrichment, social work, cognitive wellness, or a related field strongly preferred.

• Dementia Practitioner certification or specialized dementia education is highly valued.

• Experience developing programs such as cognitive fitness, reminiscence, music, art, wellness, discussion groups, sensory programming, and purposeful engagement.

• The ability to recognize individual strengths and adapt programming as residents’ needs change.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• Creativity, enthusiasm, organization, and follow-through.

• Comfort partnering closely with families and interdisciplinary teams.

• Strong computer and documentation skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic documentation platforms.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who understands that successful dementia care begins with connection.

What Success Looks Like at The Kensington White Plains

You’ll know you’re making an impact when residents are engaged, known, supported, and excited to participate.

When families feel confident that someone truly understands their loved one.

When team members look to you as a resource for dementia-care approaches.

And when the Connections neighborhood feels less like a “program” and more like a community where residents continue to experience purpose, belonging, independence, and joy.

Physical & Position Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and lift up to 25 lbs.

• Ability to actively participate in and lead programs that may involve physical movement.

• Ability to assist and support residents as appropriate within the scope of the position.

• Ability to remain calm, compassionate, positive, and solution-focused in a dynamic senior-living environment.

• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays to support resident programs and special events.

• Must successfully complete all required health screenings and background checks in accordance with applicable New York State requirements.

Bring Your Dementia Expertise to The Kensington White Plains

If dementia care is more than a job to you—if you are energized by discovering what still connects with someone, what brings back a memory, what creates a smile, and what gives a person purpose —we would love to meet you.

Join The Kensington White Plains and help us create meaningful connections every day.