Director of Residence Life and Housing Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Experience, the Director of Housing Operations and Residential Experience provides strategic and operational leadership for the university's housing operations, residential systems, occupancy management, and residential infrastructure. This position oversees the day-to-day operational management of Arcadia University's residential communities and serves as a key leader in ensuring housing operations are efficient, student-centered, and aligned with institutional priorities. The Director is responsible for housing assignments, occupancy management, housing systems administration, residential facilities coordination, graduate housing operations, crisis response systems, and operational planning related to the residential student experience. The Director supervises a team that includes an Assistant Director, Residence Life Coordinators and a Housing Operations Coordinator. The Director collaborates closely with Campus Life Leadership, Facilities, Enrollment Management, Public Safety, Dining Services, Information Technology, and other campus partners to support residential operations, student wellbeing, and community success.Location: GlensideResponsibilities: Housing Operations & Occupancy ManagementProvide leadership for all university housing operations and residential systemsOversee housing assignments, occupancy management, room selection, waitlists, temporary housing, break housing, early arrivals, and late staysLead operational planning and execution for move-in, move-out, openings, closings, and residential transitionsOversee implementation and management of graduate housing operationsDevelop and maintain housing operational policies, procedures, and assessment practicesSupport long-range planning related to occupancy management, residential utilization, and operational effectivenessManage housing operations budgets related to occupancy management, summer operations, residential systems, and housing projectHousing Systems AdministrationServe as the senior administrator for housing management systems and operational platformsOversee system configuration, maintenance, testing, reporting, and optimization for systems such as StarRez, PowerCampus, MCR, or related platformsEnsure housing data integrity, operational compliance, and reporting accuracyGenerate occupancy, utilization, and housing trend reports to support operational and strategic planningCollaborate with Enrollment Management, Information Technology, and institutional partners on housing-related processes and student onboardingResidential Facilities & Operations CoordinationServe as the primary liaison between Housing and Facilities ManagementCoordinate maintenance priorities, work orders, facilities concerns, and residential operational needsSupport planning and execution of residential improvement projects, furniture replacement, renovations, and student-centered facilities enhancementsAssist with long-term residential facilities planning, deferred maintenance initiatives, and summer project coordinationOn-Call & Crisis ResponseServe within the university's residential on-call structure as Professional On Duty (POD 2)Provide leadership and oversight for residential crisis response, escalation management, and emergency coordinationRespond to complex student situations involving health, safety, mental health, facilities emergencies, and conduct concernsSupport ongoing assessment, training, and implementation of on-call procedures and crisis response protocolsMaintain availability during assigned evening and weekend on-call rotationQualifications:Minimum QualificationsMaster 's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or related field required5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in university housing, residential life, or campus life leadershipDemonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading complex housing operationsExperience with residential crisis response systems and on-call managementExperience with housing systems administration, occupancy management, and facilities coordinationDemonstrated ability to collaborate across divisional and institutional partners in support of student success initiativesPreferred QualificationsExperience implementing residential curriculum models, cohort-based engagement strategies, or themed residential communitiesExperience with graduate housing operations or specialized housing initiativesExperience with strategic planning related to residential communities and student experience developmentExperience supporting student retention, belonging, and engagement initiatives through residential environmentsRequired Skills and AbilitiesStrong knowledge of university housing operations, occupancy management, and residential systems administrationExperience with housing management software and student information systems (MCR, PowerCampus, StarRez, Colleague, or similar platforms)Excellent organizational, strategic planning, and project management skillsStrong analytical, assessment, and data management abilitiesDemonstrated ability to utilize assessment data, occupancy trends, and student experience metrics to inform operational planning and residential strategyAbility to manage complex operational processes in a fast-paced and student-centered environmentStrong crisis response, decision-making, and problem-solving skillsExcellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skillsDemonstrated commitment to inclusive practices, belonging-focused work, and student successAbility to maintain confidentiality, professional judgment, and operational discretionExperience collaborating effectively across departments and institutional divisionsKnowledge of residential facilities operations, deferred maintenance planning, and student-centered facilities managementApplication Instructions:Applications must be submitted online through Arcadia's Human Resources portal to receive full consideration. Please do not email application materials to the hiring manager. Due to the volume of applications received, communication will generally be limited to candidates selected for additional consideration.Application review will begin immediately. Posting will be removed from the website once we've established a sufficient talent pool for consideration.Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that provides a values-based, authentic educational experience by placing students at the center. The Institute of International Education has consistently ranked Arcadia first in the nation for study abroad, and the Princeton Review has ranked Arcadia among the "Best in the Northeast" for 10 consecutive years. The University's graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Education, and Public Health are nationally ranked in their respective categories by U.S. News & World Report, which cites Arcadia for being among the top study abroad programs and a top performer for social mobility. Arcadia is home to a close-knit and welcoming community that supports students throughout their journey. Arcadia's quality academic programs, unique approach to a liberal arts education, and supportive community guide students toward degree completion and career success. Learn more about our vibrant community at  We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our community. The successful candidate will demonstrate examples of ways they will incorporate our values in their work. At Arcadia University, our Lived Values are the foundation of our highly regarded, values-based learning community, which reflects the world in which we want to live. As such, Arcadia actively seeks and welcomes candidates who embrace those values. Arcadia prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, age, gender identity, military or military veteran status, disability, family medical or genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. All offers of employment are conditional based on the successful completion of a background check. Employment may not begin until the University accepts the results of the background check. Arcadia offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, generous tuition benefits for employees and their families, retirement benefits, health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.Position Code: AC0107