Director – Student Housing

Presidency University Bangalore; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Presidency University Bangalore is seeking an experienced Director – Student Housing to steer the strategic and operational management of our student residential communities and deliver an exceptional living experience.

You will oversee residential operations, student safety, facilities, catering, transport, housekeeping and resident life, while owning P&L and budgets for the portfolio and driving occupancy and retention in a compliant, service-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage large-scale residential operations, establish systems and processes, drive service excellence and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional ability to handle emergencies, risk, security, student discipline and high-pressure situations with calmness, authority and sound judgement. Defence experience will be an advantage.
• Deep understanding of student life and residential communities, with the ability to create a safe, inclusive, engaging and development-oriented living environment.
• Strong experience in P&L ownership, budgeting, cost optimization, occupancy, retention and operational performance.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and work effectively with students, parents, faculty, senior management and external authorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and operational management of student residential communities.
• Oversee residential operations, safety, facilities, catering, transport, housekeeping and resident life.
• Own P&L and operating/capital budgets for the residential portfolio.
• Drive occupancy and retention and ensure regulatory and institutional compliance.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team comprising Facility Managers, Wardens/Resident Assistants, Operations, Security, Catering, Housekeeping, Transport and Technical Services teams.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Crisis Management

Student leadership

Financial Acumen

People Leadership

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Director – Student Housing to lead the strategic and operational management of our student residential communities and create an exceptional student living experience.

The role will oversee residential operations, student experience, safety & security, facilities, hospitality, catering, transport, housekeeping and resident life, ensuring a safe, engaging and supportive environment for students. The Director will also own the P&L and operating/capital budgets for the residential portfolio, drive occupancy and retention, and ensure regulatory and institutional compliance.

The position will lead a multidisciplinary team comprising Facility Managers, Wardens/Resident Assistants, Operations, Security, Catering, Housekeeping, Transport and Technical Services teams.

Top 5 Qualities, Skills & Requirements

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership

Proven ability to manage large-scale residential operations, establish systems and processes, drive service excellence and deliver measurable outcomes.

2. Strong Command, Discipline & Crisis Management

Exceptional ability to handle emergencies, risk, security, student discipline and high-pressure situations with calmness, authority and sound judgement. Defence experience will be an advantage.

3. Student-Centric Leadership

Deep understanding of student life and residential communities, with the ability to create a safe, inclusive, engaging and development-oriented living environment.

4. Business & Financial Acumen

Strong experience in P&L ownership, budgeting, cost optimization, occupancy, retention and operational performance, with a clear focus on efficiency and sustainability.

5. People & Stakeholder Leadership

Exceptional communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and work effectively with students, parents, faculty, senior management and external authorities.

Ideal Candidate

A senior professional with 15–20 years of overall experience, including 7+ years in senior administrative/operations leadership, preferably with experience in large residential campuses, universities, student housing, hospitality, institutional operations or the Defence sector.

The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking, operational rigour, empathy, discipline and commercial acumen to build a world-class student residential experience at scale.

Reports to:

Registrar / Chancellor