Director of Residence Life

Job Description:

The Director of Residence Life provides leadership for the College's residential program, overseeing staff, student development, housing operations, budgeting, facilities coordination, and policy implementation. The role manages housing strategy and occupancy, partners with Facilities to ensure safe and welcoming residence halls and supports student concerns and crisis response. This is a live-on position with regular evening and weekend responsibilities and participation in the Administrator On-Call rotation.

Expected salary range: $75,000-$78,000 when annualized, commensurate with experience. The College also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off. The position includes a live-on requirement, with the Director receiving an unfurnished campus house (utilities included) and a meal plan when the dining center is open.

Position responsibilities include:

• Lead all aspects of housing operations, including occupancy tracking, housing selection processes and assignments, residential hall opening and closing, summer housing, and enforcement of housing terms and conditions.
• Design and execute housing strategies aimed at optimizing occupancy and utilization.
• Oversee the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Resident Directors, providing supervision, mentoring, and leading professional development and training initiatives.
• Partner with Campus Operations to ensure residence halls are properly maintained, student concerns are addressed promptly, and hall renewal projects align with capital planning timelines.
• Manage high level, complex communications with students, families, and faculty/staff addressing sensitive concerns, resolving conflicts, and providing clear guidance to ensure a positive residential experience.
• Direct departmental budget operations, cultivate vendor partnerships, and guide ongoing assessment and evaluation efforts.
• Work with campus partners to create and refine policies and procedures affecting the residential student experience.
• Serve on various College committees, which include those which focus on student concerns, retention, and crisis management.
• Required to present to prospective students and their families at Admissions events and orientation programs.
• Partner with Admissions and Athletics & Recreation to provide prospective students with accurate insights into the residential student experience.
• Flexible availability to support and lead programs outside regular hours.
• Participate year-round in the weekly Administrator On-Call rotation, serving as the overnight point person for student and campus crises.
• Other duties as assigned and/or required.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in residence life, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Committed to advancing student growth while fostering an inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive campus community.
• Display demonstrated aptitude for crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a variety of constituencies, including students, parents, staff, and faculty.
• Exhibit strong, innovative leadership and strategic decision-making skills.
• Highly organized and capable of performing effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficient with technology, including Microsoft Office and housing software (currently eRezLife at Dean College).
• Strong written and oral communication, technological proficiency, and attention to detail.
• Committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive campus community.
• Demonstrates leadership, strategic decision-making, and effective time management.
• Highly organized and able to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to campus emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Ability to reside on campus and maintain availability for crisis response and student support outside of traditional business hours.
• Must be available to work nights and weekend.

Additional Information:

Dean College is an equal-opportunity, Title IX institution and pledges to recruit, select and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity in higher education for all persons, including faculty and staff with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion, and applicants for admission, enrolled students and graduates without discrimination or segregation.

The College is interested in candidates who have the communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize their effectiveness with diverse groups of colleagues, students, faculty, and community members. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis.

Dean College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in College programs, services, and activities. A pre-employment background screen is required for all employees.



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