Associate Director of Residence Life

Ramapo; Mahwah (NJ); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Tuition discounts

Wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Ramapo College of New Jersey is seeking an Associate Director of Residence Life to provide strategic leadership for housing operations and day‑to‑day administration. The role reports to the Director of Residence Life and oversees occupancy, housing assignments, room selection, and related processes.

Collaborating with campus partners, the Associate Director ensures efficient operations, enhances the student experience, and may lead in the absence of the Director.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration, Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership or a closely related field.
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible housing operations or residence life experience, post‑masters.
• Minimum of two years of experience supervising full‑time professional staff.
• Experience with housing management software and Banner or similar SIS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily administrative operations of the Residence Life housing process and policies.
• Coordinate housing assignments, occupancy management, and housing records.
• Lead and develop the Residence Life staff, including supervision of the Program Assistant.
• Manage new student check‑in and move‑in operations with campus partners.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support student success and retention.
• Represent Residence Life at admitted students days, Open Houses, and orientation events.

Skills

Residence Life administration

Housing operations

Staff supervision

FERPA compliance

Customer service

Communication

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Housing management software

Banner/SIS

Job description

About Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college, where students build the confidence, skills, and perspective to thrive in a changing world. Located on a breathtaking 300-acre campus in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains and just a short trip from New York City, Ramapo blends the best of both worlds: natural beauty, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to one of the world’s most dynamic job markets.

With approximately 6,000 students, Ramapo offers a personalized, student‑centered experience defined by a 16:1 student–faculty ratio, small classes, and faculty who mentor, challenge, and inspire. Students can explore over 40 undergraduate majors and a growing portfolio of graduate programs in fields such as Business Administration, Data Science, Nursing, Educational Leadership, Social Work, Special Education, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Across every discipline, Ramapo emphasizes hands‑on learning through internships, co‑ops, study abroad, faculty research, service projects, and real‑world experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers.

Our campus is home to cutting‑edge academic spaces, including the Anisfield School of Business, the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, the Les Paul Music Studio, and the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. Ramapo’s award‑winning residence halls are consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey.

Nationally recognized for excellence and value, Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public colleges by College Choice, named a Best Regional University North by U.S. News & World Report, and celebrated by Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine, Colleges of Distinction, and Victory Media’s Military Friendly rankings.

At Ramapo, students don’t just earn degrees; they discover their strengths, explore new possibilities, and build the foundation for bold futures.

Working at Ramapo

Ramapo College of New Jersey has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” where our employees are at the heart of everything we do. We foster an equitable and fair workplace where ideas are welcomed, contributions are valued, and individuals are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally. Employees benefit from meaningful work, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a lasting impact on students’ lives every day.

At Ramapo College, we believe excellence is achieved through teamwork, respect, accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to learning. Our all‑hands‑on deck culture requires leadership at all levels to ensure we achieve our mission, implement our goals, and invest in our future one student at a time. We are proud to offer a supportive environment that values well‑being and continuous improvement. We believe in being bold, being kind, and being good teammates, making Ramapo not just a place to work, but a great place to belong.

Ramapo College offers outstanding benefits through the New Jersey State Benefits system, generous PTO, professional development opportunities, wellness programs, tuition discounts for employees and their dependents, and much more.

Compensation:

Manager, D27

$72,500-$91,000

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is an on site full‑time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Note: This position is in the “NL” category of employment (non‑fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Residence Life; Housing Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Residence Life, helping to create a positive, student‑centered residential experience. Reporting to the Director of Residence Life, this position oversees the day‑to‑day administration of housing operations, including occupancy management, housing assignments, room selection, and related administrative processes. Assist the Director of Residence Life with the overall management of the department.

The Associate Director works collaboratively with campus partners to ensure efficient operations, enhance the student experience, and support departmental and institutional goals. As the department’s primary administrator for housing operations, the Associate Director exercises significant independent judgment and serves as a key resource for students, families, and colleagues. The position also assumes departmental leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Director of Residence Life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Housing Operations & Administration

Responsible for the daily administrative operations of the Residence Life housing process. Develop, implement, and administer housing policies and procedures related to housing assignments, room changes, occupancy management, and student housing records.

Coordinate and oversee the housing assignment process, including but not limited to specialty housing areas (Gender Inclusive, Recovery Housing), housing accommodations, Housing Selection, Spring Intent process, winter break and summer housing assignments. Maintain accurate housing records and compile housing occupancy and statistical reports on a regular basis. Monitor housing administrative procedures and communicate operational updates to Residence Life staff on a regular basis

Oversee the administration and functionality of the housing management software system, ensuring operational efficiency. Work directly with vendor on issues and concerns.

Reviews and edits Residence Life promotional materials including housing brochures, Housing Selection, Housing Agreements and any other housing related forms.

Serve as the departmental liaison with the Office of Specialized Services, Student Accounts, Payroll, Roukema Center for International Education, Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), Athletics and other campus departments as needed.

Ensure timely and accurate housing and meal plan billing each semester in collaboration with the Program Assistant and Student Accounts.

Develop and implement strategic plans, goals and objectives for retention of residential students.

Student Services

Promote exceptional customer service through efficient and responsive housing administration. Serve as the primary point of contact for parent and student housing concerns, exercising independent judgment to address and resolve issues in a timely and professional manner. Escalate matters to a supervisor only when circumstances warrant administrative review or intervention.

Counsel and advise students regarding housing assignments. Meet individually with students experiencing housing insecurity to assess their circumstances and determine their eligibility to remain on campus during periods when the College is closed.

Student Mailroom Operations

Oversee the daily management of the student mailroom, including hiring student staff, training, scheduling, as well as, receipt, processing, organization and distribution of student mail and packages. Establish and maintain efficient mailroom procedures that ensure accurate tracking, timely distribution and secure handling of mail and packages.

Staff Supervision & Leadership

Supervise, train, mentor and evaluate the full time Program Assistant. Ensure the Program Assistant maintains current knowledge of housing policies and procedures to provide accurate information to students and campus constituents.

Responsible for keeping the entire Residence Life team abreast of housing updates on a weekly basis and when necessary.

Provide guidance, support and training to professional and paraprofessional Residence Life staff regarding housing operations on a regular basis. Supervise student office assistants.

Share responsibility for coordinating and facilitating the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of professional Residence Life staff.

Participates in a shared after‑hours support rotation, providing phone support when emergency or critical issues (or in some cases respond to campus) are escalated by on‑call staff and helping coordinate the appropriate response.

Departmental Representation & Collaboration

Represent Residence Life at Admitted Students Days, Open Houses, Orientation programs, and other College recruitment and outreach events.

Develop and deliver presentations and facilitate informational sessions on Residence Life, housing, residential programs, policies, and the on‑campus living experience to prospective and current students, parents, and families, and other campus or external audiences.

Collaborate with campus partners to support student success, retention and ensure effective delivery of housing services. Serve on College committees and special projects as needed.

Assume leadership responsibilities for the department in the absence of the Director of Residence Life.

New Student Check‑In

Assume primary responsibility for the planning, coordination, implementation, and assessment of new student check‑in and move‑in operations. Develop and manage comprehensive operational plans, coordinate campus‑wide partners and staffing, oversee communication and training, address real‑time operational challenges, and ensure that check‑in activities align with institutional goals and provide a welcoming experience for students and families.

Other Duties

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration, Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership or a closely related field.

Experience

Minimum of four years of progressively responsible housing operations or residence life experience, post‑masters. Minimum of two years of experience supervising full‑time professional staff.

Experience managing housing operations and administrative processes in a residential campus environment. Experience with housing management software. Experience with Banner or similar student information system preferred.

Strong supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to work independently, manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines. Ability to make independent decisions. Ability to manage high‑volume workload and manage concurrent projects, while working with multiple stakeholders and as part of a team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of residence life administration, housing operations and student development principles.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complex administrative processes while meeting deadlines. Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service skills. Demonstrated supervisory, leadership, training and staff development experience. Strong proficiency with computer applications and housing management systems.

Knowledge of FERPA, ADA, FHA, Title IX, Clery Act, and other relevant compliance standards.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement. Ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, staff and campus partners

EEO Statement:

Ramapo College is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.