Operations Co-op (Hospitality)

About Optima Living
Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to provide a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care. What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers.

Today, Optima Living offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. Our innovative approach includes Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way; our proprietary brain health and care model. As the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, we proudly serve more than 6,000 residents.

Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy and a focus on innovation, we are redefining aging with purpose creating communities where seniors live with dignity, connection, and joy.
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Location: Surrey
Term: 4-month or 8 months (preferred)
Compensation: $20/hour
Position Summary
Food shapes health, connection, and quality of life. You will support our Hospitality programs, a company-wide initiative focused on culturally responsive, evidence-informed dining experiences. This co-op brings your academic learning into a real operating environment where decisions affect daily resident life. You will help translate nutrition and wellness research into practical programs such as themed meals, tasting clubs, menu co-design sessions, and sensory-friendly dining environments. This role combines program planning, evaluation, and leadership exposure within a growing senior living organization.
You will work closely with the Regional Manager, Hospitality and the Senior Director, Resident Experience. As a co-op student, you will not be doing side work, you will contribute to real projects that impact employees, residents, and operations across the organization
These positions are funded through WIL Digital and Co-op Grants program. To qualify for a placement under the program's funding requirements, candidates must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons as defined under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. International students are ineligible for this funding program, as per the program’s eligibility criteria.
Responsibilities
Program Builder
• Support development and rollout of the Hospitality programs.
• Assist in planning and evaluating resident-centered dining initiatives.
Research Translator
• Turn public health and nutrition research into practical, engaging activities.
• Create accessible materials for diverse audiences.
Collaboration Partner
• Work with hospitality, operations, and leadership teams.
• Support menu and program adjustments based on resident feedback.
Impact Evaluator
• Track participation, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to recommendations for long-term sustainability.
Qualifications and Experience
• Experience in program planning and evaluation.
• Ability to translate research into practical tools.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organization and time management.
• Ability to work independently.
• Interest in healthy aging and food-based wellness.
Eligibility
• Enrolled in a Co-op or Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
• Currently attending a post-secondary institution
• Open to domestic students (Canadian Citizen/Permanent Residents) only.
Why Join Optima Living
• Hands-on, real ownership of meaningful end-to-end projects
• Work on real projects that impact 40+ communities across BC and Alberta
• Gain exposure to how a multi-site organization operates behind the scenes
• Learn directly from experienced professionals across functions
• Build practical skills you can use in future roles
• Contribute to work that supports seniors, teams, and communities
• Opportunity to extend your term or return for future roles based on performance
Embark on this journey with us and pave the way for a rewarding career in senior living.
Your journey starts here.
Let us Welcome You Home