Residence Hall Director

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and the state’s flagship university. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff, with enrollment exceeding 41,000 students.

Part of the Division of Student Affairs, University Housing consists of nearly 2.8 million square feet of facilities and is home to more than 9,000 students. The department employs 220 full-time staff members, 21 graduate assistants, and 565 undergraduate student workers. As a self-supporting auxiliary, University Housing operates a $59 million budget derived from student housing fees and other non-state sources. The department focuses on providing comfortable, affordable, and secure housing options that encourage academic success and personal growth.

About the role

The primary function of this live-in, full-time, exempt position is to create safe, comfortable, and thriving residential communities that foster a strong sense of belonging and focus on student learning. Residence Hall Directors oversee one or more residence halls housing up to 1,000 residents, facilitating the residential curriculum, supervising student staff, advising student groups, and supporting desk operations. The role requires active engagement, commitment to growth, and high-quality work within the department.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff, including graduate residents, resident assistants, desk assistants, and conference assistants.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and support through one-on-one meetings, staff meetings, in-service sessions, and constructive feedback to promote personal and professional growth.
• Develop, implement, and assess departmental training efforts, including instruction of the undergraduate staff training seminar and facilitation of professional development sessions.
• Foster accountability by establishing clear expectations, addressing concerns promptly, and ensuring adherence to departmental and university policies.
• Oversee administrative supervision tasks, including performance evaluations, tracking and documenting staff progress, and maintaining accurate records.
• Support residence hall desk operations, including supervision of desk staff, key control, access control, mail operations, basic security support, and dissemination of information.
• Implement the Dawg Path Residential Curriculum by creating, facilitating, and assessing educational programs and initiatives that enhance student learning and community development.
• Host, execute, and plan active learning and traditional area events, utilizing facilitation guides and best practices.
• Commit to a University Housing-first philosophy by promoting student success and supporting the missions of University Housing, the Division of Student Affairs, and the University of Georgia.
• Safeguard the physical security of University Housing facilities and protect sensitive information through adherence to cybersecurity policies.
• Participate in departmental “all hands-on deck” events (e.g., move-in, move-out, residence hall emergencies).
• Serve as part of the Essential Personnel Pool, which may require reporting to work during inclement weather or other emergency situations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff from various university departments.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating environments that support belonging.
• Ability to multitask and find creative solutions in a supervisory and autonomous environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and databases such as StarRez and Advocate.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for effective interaction with faculty, staff, students, parents, and administrators.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education or related field, OR Bachelor’s Degree with 3 years of applicable full-time experience.
• Previous experience in Housing and Residence Life.
• Experience working with a curriculum model.
• Experience supervising student staff members.
• Experience advising student leaders.
• Served in a crisis response structure such as an on-call/duty rotation.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Demonstrated experience with student care and follow-up.
• Experience serving on departmental, divisional, or university committees.

Physical Demands

• Sit at a desk and computer for moderate periods of time.
• Verbally communicate via telephone and in person.
• Organize and compare a large amount of data with attention to detail.
• Interpret and apply policies and procedures.
• Remember circumstances and changes.
• Focus on and complete detail-oriented tasks.
• Respond to crisis situations in various buildings, which may involve being present for long periods of time.
• Frequently walk through residential facilities, including climbing stairs.

Benefits

• Benefits-eligible position under the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).

Pay

Advertised salary: $50,000

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required.