Residential Life Manager

UniLodge Australia Pty Ltd; Douglas Shire; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression opportunities

Online and face-to-face training

Employee wellbeing support

Uniform provided

Parental leave (2 weeks)

Employee engagement initiatives

Referral bonus

Insider rates at hotels

Job summary

UniLodge Australia Pty Ltd is seeking a Residential Life Manager to coordinate university residence communities with a focus on resident wellbeing and pastoral care. You will lead a team, develop wellbeing programs, and ensure quality student experiences across JCU halls.

The role requires strong leadership, event planning, and stellar communication skills to support a dynamic, fast-paced on-site environment with a Mon-Fri roster.

Qualifications

• Experience in student accommodation or pastoral care.
• Strong customer focus and interest in student welfare.
• Demonstrated understanding of university life and residential operations.
• Leadership skills to support team growth and development.
• Ability to priorities tasks and manage time effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Natural ability to build connections and deliver quality student experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support in managing pastoral care and academic support within the residence.
• Develop and implement events and activities per the Residential Life and Wellbeing Program.
• Ensure the SAOR standards are met monthly.
• Assist GM with monthly/annual reports and the Res Life Strategic Plan including budget.
• Build a high-performance team through recruitment, coaching, and development.
• Establish productive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Attend emergencies such as fire alarms and resident requests.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Student welfare focus

Event planning

Job description

At UniLodge you will have the opportunity to build a rewarding career,by growing your skills and capability with Australia and New Zealand’s leading provider in student accommodation. Our operation is on an exciting growth trajectory, with a portfolio of close to 140 properties and hotels. As we grow, we are always on the lookout for people who will enrich our culture and bring their unique perspectives and experiences to help UniLodge Group become even better. Join us and embark on an exciting journey to be the operator of choice.

What role will you play

The life of a student has its ups and its downs; and our Res Life team play a key role in enhancing the student engagement of the residential community with a particular emphasis on pastoral care and academic matters.

As the Residential Life Manager (RLM), you will be responsible for facilitating the coordination of the residence as a community under the guidance of the General Manager, with a particular emphasis on resident wellbeing and ensuring the delivery of the Residential Life and Wellbeing Program. More specifically you will:

• Provide leadership and support in the management and development of the pastoral care programs and academic support within the JCU Halls of Residence
• Management, development, and implement events and activities as per the elements of the Residential Life and Wellbeing Program ensuring a balanced variety of events
• Ensuring the Residential Life Program calendar meets the minimum standards of the university’s Student Accommodation Operating Requirements (SAOR) each month.
• Assist the General Manager in the preparation of the monthly & annual reports as well as the submission of the annual Res Life Strategic Plan which incorporates the Annual Budget
• Building a team through recruitment activities, coaching, and developing a high-performance culture
• Establish and maintain a constructive and productive working relationship with all key stakeholders.
• Attendance to emergency situations such as fire alarms and request for assistance from residents and colleagues

What we’re looking for

• Experience in student accommodation, university services or pastoral care
• Strong customer focus and interest in student welfare and enhancing the university experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the many complexities to university life and operational aspects of residential living.
• Leadership skills to support the growth and ongoing development of your team
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manager time effectively
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Someone who is a natural at building connections and committed to delivering a high quality and enriched educational, cultural, and social experience for residents.
• Resolve questions, queries and issues raised by team members, residents and prospective residents/visitors
• Unrestricted work rights in Australia
• National Police Check (completed within last 3 months), at your own cost
• Working with Children’s Check (QLD) – No Card No Start Legislation applies
• Availability to commit to 38 hours across a Monday to Friday roster

What we can offer you:

• Amplify your potential, we offer a variety of opportunities for career progression
• Personal and professional development, through online and face to face training and courses
• Focus on employee wellbeing to support mental, emotional, financial and physical health & wellbeing, including access to Employee Assistance Programs
• Full uniform provided
• Inclusive culture in a diverse, collaborative and fun team environment
• Various leave options including two weeks paid parental leave, study leave & much more
• Strong focus on employee engagement – annual feedback surveys, and access to our community platform (Viva Engage)
• Performance recognition programs and rewards: ‘On-The-Spot’ Awards, Quarterly Awards, Annual Awards Night, Employee Milestone Rewards
• Flu Vaccinations – Company Funded
• Generous referral bonus (up to $1,000 AUD/NZD)
• Access to Insider Rates at Essence Hotels and Apartments

UniLodge Living Group is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. As part of our recruitment process, candidates are required to declare any history of involvement in gender‑based violence, in line with our commitment to integrity, accountability, and the National Higher Education Code.

UniLodge Australia is part of the UniLodge Living Group. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.