Director of Housing and Residence Life

Job Description

Director of Residence Education

Summary of Position
This position is responsible for the design, execution, and continuous maintenance of a robust
residential curriculum, ensuring it highlights the educational benefits of the residency
requirement. The Director directly supervises two professional Residence Life Coordinators,
works collaboratively with a two-person operations team, and oversees the recruitment, training,
and management of a 55-person student staff. Critically, this role collaborates with key campus
partners-including Academic Success, Athletics, and Operations-to deliver integrated, high-
quality services grounded in a comprehensive student development philosophy.

Key Responsibilities
Professional Staff Leadership, Supervision, and Mentorship: Provide direct supervision,
performance management, and ongoing professional development to the full-time professional Residence
Life staff, ensuring equitable administration of College policy and fostering a culture of continuous
learning and innovation.
• Residential Curriculum Strategy and Assessment: Lead the design, implementation,
and rigorous assessment of the comprehensive Residential Curriculum, utilizing data to
demonstrate learning outcomes and measure the impact of the four-year residency model.
• Budget Management and Fiscal Planning: In consultation with the Dean for Student
Life, manage and monitor the department's operating and programming budgets,
overseeing purchasing, expenditure approval, and long-range capital planning for
residential resources.
• Student Staff Development and Talent Pipeline: Direct the recruitment, selection,
comprehensive training, and ongoing performance management for approximately 55
student resident life staff members, ensuring high standards for mentorship and service
delivery.

• Campus Collaboration and Integrated Services: Serve as the primary departmental
liaison for strategic campus partners (e.g., Academic Success, Operations, Athletics),
leading collaborative initiatives, joint programming, and policy development to support
student retention and experience.
• Crisis Management and Dean-Level On-Call Response: Serve in an escalated, year-
round administrative on-call rotation to provide high-level response and critical incident
management for campus emergencies and complex student conduct matters.

Experience and Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 4-7 years of related professional experience required
Required Knowledge
• Knowledge of FERPA and other applicable privacy laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of residence education models and student development theory.

Required Skills and Abilities
• Advanced supervisory skills.
• Strong listening and communications skills.
• Ability to manage potentially stressful and crisis situations.
• Ability to hold meetings for 60+ minutes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.
• Ability to be adaptive as needed when working with students.

Compensation
Starting salary will be competitive, based on the candidate's qualifications and
experience.
Expected starting salary: $50,000.00 full time, exempt

About Us

Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation's most historic and innovative four-year colleges with the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas. This multidisciplinary learning celebrates students' unusual combinations of interests and provides creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing them for a successful launch after graduation and even for careers that may not yet exist. Located in western Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives" and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact. In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country's top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate research and creative activities.

Allegheny's undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students' intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny's faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).

Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Allegheny does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, or national origin.

Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Director of Human Resources.

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