Assistant Director of Residence Life

Socket.dev; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Residence Life to provide strategic oversight of residential communities, support student success and well-being, and foster safe, inclusive living environments that promote learning and personal development.

This role supervises staff, coordinates occupancy and housing programs, partners with campus colleagues, uses assessment data to improve outcomes, and balances operational responsibilities with a commitment to student belonging and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 2 years of related experience.
• Experience in housing or residence life preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of residential communities and promote student success and wellbeing.
• Supervise and mentor professional staff (e.g., Hall Directors and Apartment Directors).
• Oversee occupancy management, summer/break housing, and coordination with campus partners.
• Lead staff development, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Collaborate with campus colleagues to support departmental priorities and initiatives.
• Use assessment data and metrics to inform continuous improvement of the residential student experience.

Skills

Staff supervision

Student engagement

Crisis management

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Position Title:

Assistant Director of Residence Life

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Residence at Iowa State University is seeking a collaborative and student-centered professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Residence Life. In this leadership role, the successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of residential communities, support student success and well-being, and foster safe, inclusive, and engaging living environments that promote learning and personal development.

The Assistant Director provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to professional staff, including Hall Directors and Apartment Directors. Responsibilities include staff recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, coaching, and professional development. This position oversees key residential operations, including occupancy management, summer and break housing programs, and coordination with campus partners to ensure effective administration of assigned communities.

Working closely with colleagues across the university, the Assistant Director advances departmental priorities and initiatives, supports staff development efforts, responds to complex student concerns and crisis situations, and contributes to strategic planning and operational decision-making. The position also utilizes assessment data, operational metrics, and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous improvement efforts and enhance the residential student experience.

The ideal candidate will bring experience supervising and developing staff, leading programs and initiatives, and using assessment and data-informed practices to drive continuous improvement. They will demonstrate the ability to manage complex student and staff situations, build collaborative relationships with campus and external partners, and effectively balance operational responsibilities with a strong commitment to student success, engagement, and belonging.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a skilled higher education professional who is passionate about student development, team leadership, problem-solving, and creating vibrant residential communities that support student engagement, belonging, and success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
• Significant professional experience in university housing or residence life
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading teams.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Residence at Iowa State University is committed to advancing student success by providing supportive, welcoming, and inclusive living and learning communities. Through its residence halls and apartment communities, the department fosters student engagement, personal growth, leadership development, and academic achievement while creating a safe and vibrant residential experience for all students. The Department of Residence partners with students, families, faculty, and staff to cultivate communities where students can learn, connect, and thrive.

Department Unit/Website:
Home - Department of Residence

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Original Posting Date:

September 18, 2026

Posting Close Date:

September 28, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19945

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.