Residence Manager, Student Life

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A major Canadian university in Saskatoon is seeking a Residence Manager for Student Life. This role involves developing and executing a comprehensive residence life program, supervising student staff, and managing crisis situations to support student wellbeing. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in a related field and have prior experience in student management. This permanent position offers a salary range of $69,035 to $107,868 per annum, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Access to campus amenities

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience managing students.
• Experience in supervising diverse staff in an institutional setting.
• Advanced knowledge of student life programming.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive residence life program.
• Supervise teams managing student residences.
• Manage crisis situations and student wellbeing.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Community development

Communication skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in social work, health promotion, or education

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

Residence Manager, Student Life

Located in the vibrant city of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is one of Canada’s top research-intensive medical doctoral universities and home to world‑leading research of global importance. Over 26,000 students from more than 125 countries study at USask. We offer over 130 academic programs through our two campuses, thirteen schools and colleges, and four graduate schools.

Our seven USask residences provide safe, welcoming, and convenient living accommodations for undergraduate and graduate students within walking distance of the beautiful USask campus.

Primary Purpose: To develop a comprehensive residence life program within the University’s residence community by planning, implementing, and evaluating student residence life experience, as well as providing leadership and operational oversight for the residence life team, including responsibilities for hiring, performance management, and employment decisions.

Reporting to the Director, Consumer Services, you will supervise and provide direction to a team of up to two Assistant Managers, five Residence Coordinators, and fifty Resident Assistants (part‑time student positions). You will work closely with the Residence Manager, Operations and oversee and support the Counsellor in Residence, Faculty in Residence, and Elder in Residence. You support student success by fostering healthy and engaging student communities, managing the response to emergency and crisis situations, and independently investigating reports of disruptions to community standards. Responsibilities also include allocation of resources and management of the operating budget, directing and providing guidance to all Residence Coordinators and Assistant activities through policies, procedures, regulations, and contracts. You participate in confidential labour relations discussions, ensuring the collective agreement is being followed, and provide policy advice to senior leadership on residence operations and student life initiatives. The work is complex and requires managing multiple, sometimes simultaneous deadlines and situations. You will connect with student associations including the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union and Graduate Students’ Association and collaborate with other stakeholders to provide an exceptional residence life experience.

Work outside of standard university hours, such as evenings and weekends, may be required.

Accountabilities

Managerial Responsibilities

• Responsible for a diverse team and ensuring staff are working within operational and procedural standards while satisfying quality operations and customer service needs of the university
• Provides performance management, conducts evaluations, and determines employment‑related decisions for Assistant Managers and Residence Coordinators
• Influences labour relations by implementing collective agreements and consulting Human Resources on union‑related matters
• Makes decisions on work schedules, leave approvals, and other employment conditions
• Is accountable to the Consumer Services Team Charter and is aligned with the purpose, vision, and values, and holds themselves and each other accountable to it

Emergency Response and Crisis Management

• Resolves conflicts to maintain harmony among students and team members
• Provides 24‑hour on‑call management and oversees the response to emergency and critical incidents, determining the best ways to support students in distress, and managing facilities emergencies
• Consults with campus partners who provide student supports in cases of critical incidents
• Communicates issues of importance or concern as appropriate while maintaining confidentiality with sensitive information and materials
• Develops and determines student discipline outcomes

Student Engagement and Community Development

• Promotes academic success, personal health and well‑being, leadership development and involvement in community service
• Builds, motivates, and supervises a team of part‑time student staff, overseeing the full recruitment process, including job descriptions, interviews, training, and onboarding
• Directs the student life team in developing and implementing community‑building initiatives
• Leads resident life staff in creating a community that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming across the University residence community, to assist students with the transition to university life

Policy Development and Assessment

• Develops, implements, and enforces policies for Student Residence Community Standards
• Reviews and assesses all aspects of student life in residence including assessing the effectiveness of policies, services, and programs
• Assists in budget preparation for student life and approves programming funds
• Participates in confidential strategic planning and provides policy advice to senior leadership on residence operations and student life programs
• Develops and manages staffing budgets and oversees confidential financial planning for residence operations
• Develops and manages annual plans for educational, recreational, social, and wellness programs and initiatives
• Complies with all relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Education

An undergraduate degree, preferably within the disciplines of social work, health promotion, or education.

Experience

Three to five years of experience managing students. Experience in managing and supervising a diverse staff complement in an institutional setting is required. Experience collaborating with a community that is widely diverse in culture, age, ability, and family status. Previous experience with student life or residence is an asset. Possess advanced knowledge of student life programming and community development practices, with a strong focus on student engagement, crisis management, and inclusive leadership. Demonstrate innovative problem‑solving skills, excellent verbal and written communication, sound financial and resource management abilities, and the capacity to build effective relationships with students, staff, and campus partners. Experience in crisis response and providing mental health support is an asset, and a combination of education and experience may be considered.

Skills

An understanding of the impact of student life for international students and settling into new environments is essential. Professional Interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal; conflict resolution skills; leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team building; community development and program implementation; labour relations knowledge and ability to maintain confidentiality in strategic and policy matters; budget development, creative problem solving skills; demonstrated ability to organize work, delegate duties, hold accountability and set priorities for self and others with changing business demands; ability to set and enforce standards of performance and adherence to policies and practices, and the ability to respond quickly and judiciously in crisis situations; efficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database‑operated systems.

Department

Residence

Status

Permanent

Employment Group

ASPA - under jurisdiction review

FTE

1.0

Salary

The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family

Managerial

Salary Phase/Band

Phase 2

Posted Date

12/2/2025

Closing Date

1/12/2026 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings

1

Work Location

On Campus

Required Verifications

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver’s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Yes

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity‑deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the “deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy” and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
We provide an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.