Assistant Director of Housing Operations

REED COLLEGE; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Educational assistance

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Reed College seeks an Assistant Director of Housing Operations to oversee front desk services, supervise student workers, and coordinate housing processes on campus. The role reports to the Director of Residence Life within Student Life and collaborates across departments to ensure accurate occupancy data and smooth administrative operations.

The position emphasizes equity and inclusion, data-driven process improvement, and interaction with students, families, and campus partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3 years of experience in operations or administrative roles.
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Manage all front desk operations for the Residence Life Department.
• Supervise and mentor student workers; triage inquiries via in-person, phone, and email.
• Maintain front desk procedures and documentation; coordinate with staff.
• Develop and implement housing processes including applications, room selection, and database management.
• Provide oversight and training to area coordinators and resident advisors on procedures.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness, health/safety inspections, and continuity planning.
• Lead housing data analysis and policy development to support operational improvements.
• Collaborate with campus partners to implement inclusive housing practices.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Assistant Director of Housing Operations works closely with other professionals in the Residence Life Department to serve on-campus students throughout the calendar year. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department’s front desk services, including but not limited to supervising and mentoring student workers; triaging and responding to in-person, phone, and email inquiries; maintaining front desk procedures and documentation, coordinating with other departmental staff, and supporting the administrative needs of the department as required. This position will specialize in the support of housing operations and will help develop and implement housing processes including, but not limited to, applications, room selection, and database management. This position reports to the Director of Residence Life, is under the division of Student Life, and works on campus interfacing with faculty, staff, and students.

Reed College offers an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance options for you and your dependents, 403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution (after one year of service), educational assistance for employees and their children, paid vacation, paid holidays, and many other campus amenities. This is a full-time role with typical work hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour unpaid lunch.

The starting salary for this position is $53,000-$58,000. Pay offers are contingent upon experience and are determined through an internal pay assessment. This is an exempt position in grade 5.

Who You Are

• You communicate clearly, professionally, and thoughtfully with students, families, colleagues, faculty, and campus partners
• You enjoy working with data, technology, and systems and can use information to identify trends, troubleshoot problems, and improve operations
• You pay close attention to detail and take pride in getting the small things right, particularly when accuracy affects students, staff, or institutional records
• You consider equity, accessibility, and inclusion when developing and implementing policies, processes, and systems
• You are committed to learning - whether that means developing expertise in our housing management system, understanding a new process, strengthening professional knowledge, or learning from colleagues
• You remain calm, organized, and solution-focused when navigating high-volume periods, unplanned events, or emergencies
• You build collaborative relationships and understand that effective operations depend on strong partnerships across Residence Life and the broader institution
• You work independently and take ownership of responsibilities while keeping your supervisor and colleagues appropriately informed
• You enjoy developing student workers and can balance mentorship, accountability, delegation, and clear expectations
• You can translate complicated policies and procedures into clear guidance, training materials, documentation, and communications that others can readily understand

What You’ll Do

• Manage all aspects of housing assignments, including new, returning, summer, winter, and off-campus housing
• Responsible for managing the housing management systems and ensure accurate occupancy data, audits, and reports
• Manage residential inventory, furnishings, room changes, access control, and damage billing processes
• Develop and implement communication and marketing strategies for housing operations
• Recruit, train, and mentor student workers
• Provide oversight and training to Area Coordinators and House Advisors on operational procedures
• Serve as the primary departmental contact for inquiries and ensure smooth administrative operations
• Coordinate emergency preparedness protocols, health/safety inspections, and continuity planning
• Lead housing data analysis and policy development to support operational improvements
• Collaborate with campus partners to implement inclusive housing practices and support underrepresented students
• Foster a welcoming environment for students, families, and colleagues by providing timely and professional support

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 3 years of experience in operations or administrative roles