Dorm Director / Head of Residence

Phoenix Tree International Sdn Bhd; Gelang Patah; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international school in Gelang Patah, Malaysia, is seeking a Dorm Director to provide strategic leadership for the boarding program. This role involves ensuring student welfare, personal growth, and academic success while promoting a positive residential community. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of leadership experience in boarding, strong expertise in pastoral care, and exceptional interpersonal skills. An advanced degree is preferred. The position requires flexibility and a commitment to student well-being.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years leadership experience in boarding or residential life.
• Proven expertise in pastoral care systems and safeguarding policies.
• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational excellence for the boarding program.
• Ensure student welfare, personal growth, and academic success.
• Coordinate academic support and monitor students' academic progress.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Child protection knowledge

Cultural awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work or related field

Advanced degree (Master's or higher)

Job description

Position Title: Dorm Director / Head of Residence
Reports To: Head of Operation

Purpose of Role:

To provide strategic leadership and operational excellence for the boarding program, ensuring it serves as a safe, nurturing, and holistic extension of the school's educational mission. The Director is responsible for cultivating a residential community that actively promotes student welfare, personal growth, and academic success.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Leadership, Vision & Community Building

Establish, model and promote a clear vision for residential life in line with the school’s mission and values.

Act as a role‑model and lead by example — set high standards of conduct, professionalism, and caring pastoral care.

Foster a positive, inclusive, supportive dorm community where students from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and part of a “home.”

Encourage student leadership and involvement — support student‑led initiatives, activities, events.

2. Pastoral Care, Safeguarding & Tiered Behavioral Support

Serve as the ultimate pastoral lead for boarding students, ensuring their holistic well‑being is prioritized.

Design and implement a structured, tiered system for managing behavioral concerns. This system must emphasize personalized, restorative approaches tailored to individual student needs, moving from proactive support to targeted interventions as appropriate.

Spearhead targeted initiatives to address and mitigate prevalent adolescent challenges such as smartphone overuse, sleep hygiene disorders, and anxiety. Collaborate with counselors, health staff, and families to develop effective support plans and foster healthier habits within the dorm culture.

Induct new boarders and their parents/guardians, facilitate smooth integration into dorm life, and communicate clearly about dorm policies, expectations, and support systems.

Ensure that boarding staff are trained in and adhere to the school’s child‑protection, safeguarding and welfare policies, and that all staff maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, respect, and professionalism.

3. Academic Support & Student Development Monitoring

Coordinate with academic tutors, faculty, and support services to monitor and support boarders’ academic progress.

Track homework, study habits, academic performance and liaise with academic staff to identify students in need of extra support.

Work with inclusion/special‑needs support if needed to ensure all students’ academic and personal needs are met.

Provide mentorship and guidance to students, supporting their personal development, resilience, time management, and balanced life.

4. Residential Life Operations & Staff Management

Oversee all aspects of dormitory operations: room assignments, resident records, scheduling, dorm routines, maintenance needs, and resource/facility management.

Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor Residential Life staff (e.g. Resident Assistants, House Tutors, Dorm Supervisors), ensuring high standards of care, professionalism, and support for students.

Convene regular staff or tutor meetings, set agendas, provide oversight, and ensure effective communication among staff.

Plan and lead dorm / house assemblies, events, boarding‑life activities, house‑based initiatives (e.g. camps, charity events, social events, extracurricular programs) to build community spirit and engagement.

Manage duty rosters, on‑call schedules, and ensure consistent supervision and support for students at all times (evenings, weekends, holidays as needed).

5. Policy, Compliance, Safety & Facility Oversight

Develop, review, and enforce dormitory / residential life policies and procedures — including behavioural standards, health & safety, emergency protocols, safeguarding, and boarding regulations.

Ensure compliance with relevant local housing laws, boarding regulations, accreditation standards, and the school’s child protection / safeguarding obligations.

Maintain accurate records of student residence, welfare reports, incidents, maintenance logs, and other administrative documentation as required.

6. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Provide regular updates to school leadership regarding dormitory life, student welfare, community climate, incidents, successes, and areas for improvement.

Engage with parents/guardians — communicate regarding student welfare, behaviour, academic performance, boarding integration, and any concerns or developments.

Support student recruitment and admissions processes for boarding, including participation in parent information sessions, dormitory tours, and orientation programs.

7. Additional Responsibilities

Perform any other reasonable duties as required by the school’s Senior Leadership Team, consistent with the role’s scope and responsibilities.

Participate in regular staff development, training, and appraisal processes.

Qualifications & Requirements

A minimum of five years of significant leadership experience in boarding or residential life, with a strong preference for candidates with a background in international school settings.

Proven expertise in pastoral care systems, with a deep, practical understanding of safeguarding, student welfare, and child protection policies and procedures.

Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills, demonstrated by the ability to build trust, foster relationships, and communicate effectively with adolescents, parents, and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Outstanding organizational and managerial abilities, including excellent time management and the capacity to prioritize and execute multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.

An unwavering commitment to child protection and student well‑being, which must be evidenced by a clean background check and a holistic approach to student development (academic, social, and emotional).

Flexibility and dedication to the residential lifestyle, including the availability to work during evenings, weekends, and scheduled holidays as required by the boarding program.

A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field.

An advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant discipline.

Formal training or certification in areas such as child protection, counseling, youth mental health first aid, or crisis intervention.

Documented success in designing and implementing student life programs, managing residential budgets, or leading strategic initiatives within a boarding context.

Application Questions

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
• What’s your expected monthly basic salary?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• How many years’ experience do you have as a Head of Residence?

Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MY

14h ago