Director of Residence Life & Housing

Roger Williams University; Bristol (RI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in higher education is seeking a Director of Residence Life & Housing. This pivotal role involves overseeing the housing program, ensuring student safety, and enhancing the on-campus living experience. The ideal candidate will lead strategic planning, manage budgets, and foster community engagement among students and staff. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a vibrant residential community while promoting diversity and inclusivity. If you are passionate about student affairs and ready to make a significant impact, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional student affairs experience with direct housing experience.
• Master's Degree required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of the University housing program ensuring student safety.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive residential life strategy.
• Manage the budget for the housing department including maintenance and renovations.

Skills

Crisis Management

Budget Management

Staff Supervision

Community Engagement

Policy Enforcement

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

Roger Williams University Job Posting: Director of Residence Life & Housing

At Roger Williams University, students are prepared to be thinkers and doers ready to solve challenging problems with innovative solutions. RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I. With small classrooms and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement, a Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in our interconnected, global world. RWU is committed to strengthening society through engaged scholarship so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and apply the practical skills that today's employers demand.

Roger Williams University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value diversity, equity and inclusion and respect for all races, genders, identities, and abilities. RWU is committed to creating a thriving community that encourages lifelong learning, professional development, and academic innovation.

The Director of Residence Life and Housing is responsible for overseeing the operation of the University housing program, ensuring student safety and well-being within the living environment. The Director of Residence Life and Housing leads the overall vision and management of the on-campus housing experience for students.

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive residential life strategy aligned with the university's goals, including student retention, academic success, and community building.
• Responsible for the daily operation of the housing office.
• Strategically plan future housing projections.
• Adjust housing occupancies accordingly.
• Oversee the summer student housing program and collaborate with the summer conference program.

Staff Supervision

• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and motivate the Residence Life & Housing staff.

Housing Operations

• Oversee the housing application process, room assignments, and overall occupancy rates, ensuring efficient use of available housing space.
• Coordinate the opening and closing of the residence halls.
• Liaison with other departments across the University to coordinate early arrival students and students needing housing during break periods.

Policy Enforcement

• Enforce student housing policies and procedures.
• Address disciplinary issues related to residence hall conduct, and provide appropriate sanctions when necessary.
• Collaborate with the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Office to address behavioral concerns in the residence halls.

Resident Programming

• Develop and oversee a variety of educational and social programs for residents, including leadership development opportunities, community building initiatives, and academic support programs.

Crisis Management

• Respond to emergencies, coordinate crisis intervention plans with senior student life staff, housing staff, facilities management, public safety, health services, counseling services and off-campus agencies (local authorities, medical facilities/personnel) as needed and provide support to students during critical situations.
• Serve as on-call personnel, on a rotating basis, in order to respond to residential emergencies during the evening and weekend hours.
• Consult with the housing staff during the evening hours in relation to serious or problematic situations.

Budget Management

• Manage the budget for the housing department, including expenditures related to maintenance, renovations, and programming.
• Manage annual capital improvements and capital budget requests.
• Recommend housing rates in collaboration with the Finance Office.

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with other campus departments, student organizations, and faculty to integrate the residential experience with the broader campus community.
• Serve as a University hearing officer and build collaborative work relationships with key constituencies on campus to ensure plans are aligned with the strategic mission of the University.
• Work closely with Admissions and Enrollment Management Departments to determine optimal new student class enrollment.
• Advise and counsel individual students on a wide range of concerns, making referrals for on or off-campus resources as appropriate.
• Hold consultations with parents, as appropriate, to discuss issues regarding their students.

Facility Management

• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of residence halls, working with Facilities Management to address repairs and improvements.
• Strategically plan and develop recommendations for the maintenance and renovation of residential facilities.

Requirements:

• Master's Degree required.
• Minimum five years of professional student affairs experience with direct housing experience.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience as Director of Housing in a Higher Education setting.

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Application Instructions:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references. In your cover letter/letter of interest, in addition to listing how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position, please include information about how you would contribute to RWU's diversity, inclusivity, and equity goals, given the current political and social climate.