Director of Residence Life

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Department of Residence Life in setting goals, assessing outcomes, and enhancing overall program effectiveness.
• Supervise professional staff, including Area Coordinators and Community Advisors, with responsibility for training, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Provide direction and oversight for housing operations including assignments, move-in/move-out processes, damage billing, and key inventory.
• Serve as the first point of contact for Area Coordinators in crisis situations and on-call protocols.
• Foster a community of accountability, mutual respect, and responsible citizenship.

Operations & Housing Management

• Develop and implement housing policies, procedures, and contracts in alignment with institutional goals and legal standards.
• Manage residential assignments and data systems using The Housing Director (THD) software.
• Ensure effective communication with students and families regarding housing processes and deadlines.
• Oversee departmental marketing efforts, including social media and website content.
• Respond to complex housing inquiries and concerns from students, families, and campus partners.
• Promote inclusive practices aligned with the ADA, Fair Housing Act, and Title IX.

Campus Partnerships & Compliance

• Collaborate with the Office of Accessibility Services on housing accommodations.
• Serve on campus-wide committees, including the CARE Team, and contribute to emergency response and risk management efforts.
• Partner with Facilities, Public Safety, Financial Aid, Information Technology, and other key offices to deliver coordinated support services.
• Train Residence Life staff on shared responsibilities with facilities and other campus partners.
• Designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Act; required to report allegations of crime to Campus Safety.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in residence life or housing administration.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional and paraprofessional staff.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and work collaboratively across departments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with residential management software (e.g., THD or similar platforms).
• Previous experience in a liberal arts college or residential HBCU environment.
• Knowledge of student development theory and its application to residential education.