Director of Housing

Williams College; Williamstown (MA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-funded retirement

Comprehensive health insurance

Generous paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Access to campus athletic facilities

Discounts with local vendors

Campus community events

Job summary

Williams College seeks a Director of Housing to lead the undergraduate housing program, ensuring a high-quality residential experience for 2,100 students across 37 halls. The role partners with Facilities, Student Life, and Diversity & Inclusion to align housing operations with campus priorities.

The Director will supervise a small team, set expectations for staff engagement with students, and develop strategic initiatives in collaboration with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and at least 3 years of directly relevant experience required; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal housing laws and guidelines.
• Ability to support a diverse student body and ensure equitable access to housing.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across faculty, administration, staff and students.
• Strong people skills and conflict resolution abilities.
• Leadership experience in a college/university setting, including supervision, budgeting, and prioritization.
• Experience with student housing management software (StarRez is a plus) and other tech platforms to support operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all logistical and operational functions of Williams College’s undergraduate student housing program (37 residence halls, 2,100 residents).
• Work with campus partners across Facilities, Student Life, Accessible Education, Financial Services, Campus Safety, and Diversity & Inclusion.
• Supervise an Assistant Director, Accommodations Coordinator, and temporary staff; set expectations and model engagement with students.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Emotional intelligence

Conflict resolution

Budget management

Staff supervision

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

StarRez

Airtable

Job description

Director of Housing

The Director of Housing manages all aspects of Williams College’s undergraduate student housing program that encompasses 37 residence halls and 2,100 resident students, and works in close partnership with offices across campus to ensure that our students have a fulfilling residential experience.

The Director has a special responsibility to nurture a community of care across our housing program while also striking a strategic balance between empathetic support for students and enforcement of department and college policies. The Director supervises 1.5 professional staff members and regularly works with students and colleagues from across the college on routine, novel, and emergency response situations.

Williams College is committed to building a broadly diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Housing is responsible for all logistical and operational functions associated with managing a residential housing program at a college where all students are required to live on campus for all four years. The Director will work closely with the Associate Vice President in the development and execution of strategic department initiatives.

The Director will be Housing’s main point of interaction with campus partners, including, but not limited to, Facilities, Student Life & Leadership, Accessible Education, Student Financial Services, Campus Safety Services, Environmental Health & Safety, the Dean of Students Office, Alumni Relations, and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The Director supervises a team composed of an Assistant Director, Accommodations Coordinator (a full-time role shared with the Office of Accessible Education), and temporary staff that support our student storage program and department workflows during high volume times of the year.

Finally, while the Director will not generally be on the frontlines of student support, they will be responsible for setting clear expectations and modeling best practices for meeting those expectations with regard to the tone and tenor of the office’s engagement with students.

Requirements

• Master’s degree and at least 3 years of directly relevant experience required; equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will also be considered
• Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws and guidelines as they relate to college housing and occupancy is strongly preferred
• Must be able to demonstrate effectiveness in supporting a diverse student body, including those for whom housing accommodations may be required to ensure full and equitable access to the college’s housing program
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills are required, including an ability to communicate complex ideas and information to audiences with different levels of experience and understanding (e.g., faculty, administration, staff, and students)
• Strong people skills, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution and deescalation skills
• Leadership experience, ideally in a college or university setting, including staff supervision, budget development and management, effective time management, and prioritization of competing initiatives and projects
• Demonstrable experience with student housing management software is strongly preferred; experience with StarRez is a plus; experience with other technology platforms (including Airtable) to support customer service and other operational efficiencies is also welcomed

Remote work arrangements may be available up to one day per week during the academic year and two days per week during the summer with approval for employees based in NY, MA, CT, or VT; subject to review and revision as policy evolves.

A cover letter is required for your application to be considered; please submit a cover letter that directly addresses how your experiences, skills, and interests align with the needs of the position as a separate document in your application.

For full consideration, your application should be received by September 28, 2026, although late applications may still be reviewed. Pay range is from $85,000 to $95,000, commensurate with experience.

This full-time position is eligible for our robust benefits package.

• strong, employer-funded retirement contributions
• comprehensive health insurance
• generous paid leave
• tuition reimbursement
• access to campus athletic facilities
• discounts with local vendors
• access to vibrant campus community events

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at [phone] or email at [e-mail].