Director of Residence Life & Housing

Fairmont State University; Fairmont (WV); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in higher education is seeking a dynamic Director of Residence Life & Housing. This pivotal role focuses on creating a vibrant, student-centered living environment while overseeing housing operations and facilities management. The ideal candidate will lead community engagement initiatives, supervise staff, and collaborate with various departments to enhance student success. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive atmosphere, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on student life and retention. If you are passionate about student development and crisis management, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in Residence Life, Housing, or Student Affairs.
• Strong crisis response skills and ability to handle emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead community-building efforts to enhance student retention and success.
• Supervise Resident Directors and oversee housing operations.

Skills

Crisis Management

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving

Conflict Resolution

Student Leadership Development

Education

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Housing/Dining Assignment software (e.g. StarRez)

Standard business software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets)

Job description

The Director of Residence Life & Housing is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s residential communities, ensuring a vibrant, well-maintained, and student-centered living environment.

This position offers the option for live-on or live-off experience. The Director of Residence Life & Housing plays a critical role in developing residential engagement initiatives, coordinating housing operations, and managing residence hall facilities. The Director collaborates with Facilities, Housing Operations, and Student Engagement to enhance student success and retention through intentional residential experiences.

This role reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Wellbeing & Housing and is a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team.

Essential Responsibilities

Residential Community Development & Student Engagement

• Lead community-building efforts in residence halls to foster a positive, inclusive living environment that enhances student retention and success.
• Oversee the supervision, training, and professional development of Resident Directors and Resident Assistants.
• Develop strategies to strengthen student engagement through residential programming, leadership development, and student-led initiatives.
• Partner with Student Engagement and Academic Affairs to integrate leadership, wellness, and social learning opportunities into the residential experience.

Housing Operations & Facilities Management

• Supervise the Housing Operations Manager, ensuring smooth housing assignments, occupancy management, and administrative functions.
• Oversee residential facilities planning and maintenance, collaborating closely with the Housing Maintenance Specialist and Facilities Management to ensure timely upkeep, preventative maintenance, and capital improvement projects.
• Develop and manage room turnover processes, residence hall enhancements, and space optimization initiatives to maintain high-quality residential environments.
• Assist in long-term facility planning, including renovation projects and capital request processes.

Crisis Response & Student Support

• Serve in the on-call rotation (Level 2) with Resident Directors, responding to after-hours emergencies and residential incidents as additional support is needed.
• Provide direct crisis management support in collaboration with Health & Counseling Services, Public Safety, and Student Conduct.
• Ensure that Resident Directors and student staff are trained and equipped to effectively support students in crisis and address residential concerns proactively.

Supervision & Leadership

• Directly supervise Resident Directors, the Housing Maintenance Specialist, and the Housing Operations Manager to ensure cohesive residential management and student support.
• Lead hiring, training, and performance evaluations for professional and student staff within Residence Life.
• Establish goals and assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of Residence Life programs, policies, and student engagement initiatives.
• Serve as a representative for Residence Life on university committees related to housing, student retention, and engagement.

Collaboration with Student Conduct & Advocacy

• Ensure Resident Directors oversee conduct cases within their respective buildings, maintaining accountability at the community level.
• Handle higher-level residential conduct cases that impact the broader residential community.
• Escalate campus-wide violations or appeals to the AVP for Student Wellbeing & Housing, ensuring due process, compliance, and access to resources.

Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in Residence Life, Housing, or Student Affairs, with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in student leadership development, housing operations, and community-building in a residential setting.
• Strong crisis response skills and ability to handle student emergencies with professionalism and care.
• Knowledge of student development theory, housing policies, and residential education models.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and participate in the on-call rotation as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience using a Housing/Dining Assignment software system (such as StarRez or other).
• Experience in Administrative Operations in a Higher Education and/or related setting.
• Some experience in Camps/Conference operations in a Higher Education and/or related setting.
• Working knowledge of desktop hardware and standard business software programs (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, database) and the internet.