Associate Director for Residential Living

Florida Gulf Coast University; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Gulf Coast University is seeking an Associate Director for Residential Living to lead day-to-day operations across first-year and upperclass housing. You will provide strategic direction for Residence Life, fostering student success, community engagement, and staff development.

Your role includes budget oversight, crisis response, and collaboration with academic partners to align with institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Ten years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Master's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional housing, residence life, student services, student affairs, or related experience.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Leads, mentors, and supervises a team of assistant directors and student staff; ensures development through training and evaluations.
• Spearsheads training programs for staff to equip them with knowledge and skills.
• Oversees recruitment, selection, retention for staff; builds a capable team.
• Supports student leadership initiatives within residence halls.
• Supports student conduct processes and acts as conduct officer for complex cases.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Budget management

Crisis management

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field

Experience in Residence Life

Tools

Banner

Workday

Job description

Associate Director for Residential Living

Florida Gulf Coast University

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Residential Living plays a vital role inleading and managing the day-to-day operations of multiple housingareas, including both first-year and upperclassmen housing. Thisposition involves providing strategic direction for variousResidence Life functions, with a focus on enhancing the studentresidential experience, promoting community engagement, andensuring student success through both professional and studentstaff leadership.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment andcollaboration. We value employees who successfully work with othersand drive positive change through critical thinking and decisiveaction. If you thrive in an environment of innovation,accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good homehere.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Leads, mentors, and supervises a team of assistant directors,with additional indirect oversight of resident directors andstudent staff. Ensures ongoing professional development throughtargeted training, performance evaluations, and leadershipsupport.
• Spearheads the creation and execution of comprehensive trainingprograms for both professional and student staff, ensuring that allmembers of the Residence Life team are equipped with the knowledgeand skills to succeed.
• Oversees Residence Life recruitment, selection, and retentionefforts for both professional and student staff, ensuring thedevelopment of a knowledgeable and committed team.
• Provides leadership and support for student leadershipinitiatives within the residence halls, including programs like theResident Housing Association and the National Residence HallHonorary, empowering students to take active roles in shaping theircommunities.
• Contributes to the creation of a supportive residentialenvironment by supporting the student conduct process, acting as aconduct officer for more complex cases involving alleged code ofconduct violations.
• Assists with the management of the Residence Life budget,ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and in line withdepartmental goals.
• Collaborates with academic partners to design and implementprograms and events that foster student success and retention andprovides detailed reporting and data analysis for campusstakeholders.
• Provides guidance to professional and student staff incultivating meaningful community engagement as part of theresidential curriculum model, fostering a sense of belonging andpersonal growth among residents.
• Responds to crisis situations, offering direction and supportto Residence Life staff in an on-call capacity, ensuring a swiftand effective response to emergencies.
• Contributes to the development and implementation ofdepartmental strategies and objectives to ensure alignment withbroader institutional goals.
• Designs and delivers presentations, workshops, and trainingmaterials that support staff development, student engagement, andcommunity-building efforts.
• Provides leadership in the absence of the Director, providingsupervision and continuity for the department.
• Supports the preparation of monthly, semester/term, and annualreports, tracking key residential trends and outcomes related tothe residential curriculum.
• Collaborates with Housing and Residence Life colleagues in theareas of assignments, operations, maintenance, and other criticalbusiness functions to ensure smooth and effective housingoperations.
• Assists with the logistical planning and execution of residencehall openings, closings, and other departmental transitions,ensuring a seamless experience for students and staff.
• Addresses student and parent concerns, offering thoughtful andtimely solutions, and referring cases to the appropriate resourceswhen necessary.
• Co-leads Residence Life team meetings and actively participatein other departmental and institutional meetings as scheduled.

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either ten years of directly relatedfull-time experience or, as an alternative, a Master's degree froman accredited institution in an appropriate area of specializationand four years of full-time experience directly related to the jobfunctions.
• Professional housing, residence life, student services, studentaffairs, or related experience.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient withMicrosoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience,and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited institution in HigherEducation, College Student Personnel, Counseling, or relateddegree.
• Experience supervising the work of support and professionalemployees.
• Experience engaging in the live-in/live-on residentialexperience and creating purposeful academic initiatives within theresidence halls.
• Experience with best practices in addressing and managingcrisis situations effectively.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challengeswith creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, andholding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectivelyacross teams.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Banner and Workday.
• Knowledge and practical application of occupancy managementprinciples.
• Knowledge of accounts receivable principles, practices, andprocedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communicationskills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritizeand complete simultaneous projects.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with staff,faculty, students, and the community in a service-orientedenvironment.
• Ability to work successfully as both a member of a team andindependently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate, andperform work in various situations when numerous and competingdemands are involved.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, goalsand objectives.
• Ability to effectively manage the work of others by providinginformation, guidance, and motivation.
• Ability to utilize data and information to make decisions andprojections.
• Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends asnecessary.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectation:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open forfeedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work;persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achievedeliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnershipsacross departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues toachieve common goals.

Pay Grade 18

The position is listed as "open until filled"; however,applications received by December 1, 2026 will receive priorityconsideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an EqualOpportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicantswill receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, orprotected veteran status.