Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDState) seeks an Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations in Housing and Residential Life in Brookings. The role oversees residential operations, including summer camps, occupancy management, and front desk services, and directs communications strategies for student engagement.

The position is 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible, with accountability to ensure high-quality service delivery and compliance with policies, while supervising staff and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Hospitality Management, Operations Management, Communications, Business Administration, Student Affairs Administration, Management, or related field; may consider a bachelor’s with four years related experience.
• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in university housing, residential life, conference services, hospitality management, or related field.
• Experience supervising professional and/or student staff.
• Experience managing complex operational processes with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex operational cycles such as student move-in/move-out, summer transitions, guest housing, and contract management.
• Supervise professional staff, graduate assistants, and students, providing training and leadership development.
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to support a seamless residential experience and conference housing operations.
• Develop and execute communication and marketing strategies to engage students and promote on-campus living.
• Participate in on-call crisis response and student conduct support.

Skills

Supervising staff

Operations management

Customer service

Communication

Project management

Driver's license

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education Administration or related field

Bachelor's degree with 4 years related experience

Tools

StarRez or similar housing management systems

Job description

Posting Details

Institution

South Dakota State University

Working Title

Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations

Posting Number

NFE03146P

Department

SDSU-University Housing

Physical Location of Position (City)

Brookings

Posting Text

South Dakota State University (SDState) is seeking an Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations in Housing and Residential Life. This position will provide oversight and strategic direction for a broad portfolio for residential operations, including summer camps and conference housing, apartment contracting and occupancy management, residential communications and marketing, front desk and mailroom services and overall residential services systems. This position is located in Brookings , South Dakota and is a 12-month, full‑time, benefits‑eligible position.

Housing & Residential Life creates welcoming, supportive communities where students can thrive. Our team of professional and student staff work together to foster connection, growth, and a positive on-campus living experience.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations will lead complex operational cycles such as student move‑in/move‑out, for summer transitions, guest housing, and contract management while ensuring high-quality service delivery, financial accountability, and compliance with institutional policies. In addition, this position supervises professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees, providing training, performance management, and leadership development across multiple functional areas. The role requires strong collaboration with campus and community partners, including student services, facilities, dining, admissions, and external organizations, to support a seamless residential experience and successful conference and housing operations. The Assistant Director for Housing Services and Operations develops and executes communication and marketing strategies that enhance student engagement and promote on‑campus living. Responsibilities that include on‑call crisis response, student conduct support, and participation in senior leadership functions.

BENEFITS

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state‑supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug‑free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Hospitality Management, Operations Management, Communications, Business Administration, Student Affairs Administration, Management, or related field from a regionally accredited institution. Would be willing to consider a bachelor’s level candidate with four years of directly related experience, completed by start date;
• At least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in university housing, residential life, conference services, hospitality management, student affairs, operations management, or a related field;
• Experience supervising professional and/or student staff;
• Experience managing complex operational processes, projects, or programs with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience providing customer service and resolving complex concerns;
• Experience coordinating events, conferences, housing assignments, occupancy management, or residential operations;
• Ability to manage multiple large‑scale operational functions simultaneously;
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills;
• Effective interpersonal and relationship‑building skills;
• Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Training or coursework in project management, marketing, supervision, leadership development, or assessment;
• Experience with summer conference and camp housing programs;
• Experience managing front desk, mailroom, package, or customer service operations;
• Experience with apartment housing or occupancy management;
• Experience developing communication plans, marketing campaigns, or student‑facing communications;
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, billing, or revenue‑generating programs;
• Experience with conduct processes, crisis response, or on‑call responsibilities in higher education;
• Experience using housing management systems such as StarRez or similar enterprise systems.

Open Until Filled

Yes

First Consideration Date

08/14/2026

Advertised Salary

Starting salary of $65,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Duration of the Term

12 months

Appointment Percent

100

Work Hours

M-F 8AM-5PM

Some nights and weekends

Appointment Type

Regular

Faculty Status

No

Scope of Search

External (includes Internal)

This position requires

Weekends/Holidays

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land‑grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact Maryke Taute at 605-688-5148 or [e-mail].

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-average, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

No protective clothing or equipment needed.

Physical Requirements

Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Climbing Stairs, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc)

Describe any of the conditions selected

Mostly a typical desk job but may need to do multiple facility checks/inspections during camps and conferences and may need to respond to emergencies in the apartments or residential halls during an on‑call situation.

Sensory Requirements

Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

No specific exposures mentioned.

Working Environment

Office Environment