Resident Director

About the role

The Resident Director (RD) position is a 12-month, full-time professional staff role within the Office of Residence Life and the Student Affairs Division at the University of Utah. Reporting to an Assistant Director, Resident Directors manage an area to benefit, develop, and support residents.

Responsibilities

• Guide student staff in implementing the Residential Experience Model to build on-campus community and support student needs.
• Develop community and educational environments that help students find their people, get involved on campus, and know where to go for help.
• Oversee and evaluate staff efforts in intentional student interactions and engagement strategies.
• Support living-learning communities, student leadership, and academic initiatives.
• Foster community by implementing initiatives and programs based on student needs and advising Community Council on related programming efforts.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and assessment of the Residential Experience Model to ensure resident learning.
• Participate in departmental committees and task forces to advance training, recruitment, and the overall educational experience.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate Resident Advisors (RAs), and mentor Graduate Assistants to prepare them for careers in Student Affairs or Housing.
• Conduct regular individual and group meetings with staff, providing clear expectations and performance feedback.
• Plan staff development initiatives that foster critical thinking, ethical reflection, and alignment with departmental goals.
• Provide clear expectations for all Resident Advisors and hold them accountable.
• Provide both on-going informal and formal performance feedback.
• Foster relationships with residents, staff, and campus partners to create intentional, transformative residential experiences that promote a strong sense of belonging and community.
• Encourage staff to build healthy, visible, and supportive connections with students.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to enhance engagement and align with the resident experience model.
• Promote a community culture that emphasizes responsibility, respect, and personal boundaries.
• Serve as a hearing officer, case manager, and on-call professional staff member.
• Manage student policy violations, maintain due process, and apply learning-centered sanctions in alignment with the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Collaborate with campus partners, including but not limited to: University Police, the Dean of Students, and the Counseling Center, for crisis response and referrals.
• Educate staff to enforce policies and support safety standards in the residential community.
• Oversee daily operations, including move-in/move-out, room changes, health and safety checks, and facilities management.
• Serve as a liaison with Facilities, Custodial Services, University Police and Administrative Services to address resident needs and building concerns.
• Manage area budgets, approve expenditures, and complete administrative tasks accurately and on time.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Office of Residence Life Leadership Team or members of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related area plus two years experience in residence life management, programming, student activities or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required. Demonstrated supervision, organization, planning, group dynamics, human relations and effective communication skills also required. Master's degree in College Student Personnel or related area and one year post-master's related experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related area plus two years experience in residence life management, programming, student activities or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required.
• Demonstrated supervision, organization, planning, group dynamics, human relations and effective communication skills also required.
• Master's degree in College Student Personnel/Student Affairs Administration or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with students from all backgrounds and supporting their individual needs.
• Previous experience in supervision, administration, organization, and planning.
• Proven experience leading and supervising student staff.
• Demonstrated experience with student accountability, crisis intervention, and emergency response.
• Direct experience working in Residence Life and/or Housing.
• Direct experience responding to student crises and/or facility emergencies.
• Direct experience serving on-call.
• Experience analyzing and resolving conflicts, building teams, and managing group dynamics.
• Knowledge of current and emerging principles within Student Affairs and University Housing.
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized in a high-energy, fast-paced department.
• Knowledge of sound fiscal and ethical budgetary practices.
• Previous experience advising student organizations/board.