Director, Residence Life

University of St. Thomas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-campus housing provided

2-bedroom townhome included

Full benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The University of St. Thomas in Houston seeks a Director of Residence Life to oversee daily operations, supervision, and management of Residence Life. The Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Campus Life and is appointed with the approval of leadership.

The role includes housing operations, budget management, policy development, staff supervision, and student support, with on-call duties and a living-on-campus requirement.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for work with students, faculty, and staff across campus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to live in University-provided housing.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in housing or student affairs.

Responsibilities

• Manage leasing process for residence spaces including assignments and communications.
• Maintain housing data and ensure occupancy goals are met.
• Oversee the Residence Life operations calendar and report progress toward goals.
• Coordinate housing processes with campus partners and Facilities.
• Manage and track the housing budget (approx. $3M).
• Develop, update, and enforce housing policies.
• Hire, train, and supervise staff; support 30-40 student staff.
• Support student growth, leadership, and community engagement.
• Serve on campus committees and respond to crises or emergencies.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Live on campus

3+ years housing experience

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education

Tools

StarRez

Maxient

Job description

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE

RESIDENCE LIFE

Introduction to the University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas (UST) is a private Catholic University committed to the liberal arts and the religious and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education, located in Houston, Texas, near the vibrant central business district, Texas Medical Center, and museum district. The University considers candidates in light of their professional credentials, experience, and compatibility with the University's Catholic identity and purpose. UST is committed to hiring individuals who can help to advance its integrated mission-the formation of the whole person for flourishing in this life and the next-and give public witness to that mission in new ways. The University's Catholic identity is at the center of this mission, a Catholicism expressed for our own age by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), and Pope Saint John Paul II's Ex Corde Ecclesiae. The University asks all candidates applying for a position to consider these documents to ensure that their professional goals, practices, and values can align with them.

Applicant for this position must be Catholic, and they need to be able to support joyfully, professionally, and publicly the University as it seeks to be faithful to and embody both a robust Catholicism--in its intellectual, doctrinal, moral, and spiritual dimensions.

Position Summary

The Director of Residence Life is responsible for the daily operations, supervision, and management of Residence Life. The Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Campus Life and is appointed with the approval of the Vice-President for Student Affairs and the President of the University.

Essential Responsibilities

Housing Operations

• Manage the leasing process for all residence spaces (residence halls, apartments, and leased properties) including: housing assignments, occupancy, marketing, prospective resident communication, room and roommate assignments, consolidation, etc.
• Maintain accurate housing data and ensure occupancy goals are met
• Oversee the Residence Life operations calendar and develop, track, and report measures of progress toward departmental and university strategic goals
• Partner with Facilities to oversee the maintenance, appearance, safety, cleanliness, and functionality of residential facilities
• Coordinate housing processes with campus partners as needed

Budget Management

• Manage and track the housing budget (approx. $3M), including expense coding and budget allocation
• Monitor expenses, correct errors, and ensure proper use of funds.

Policies and Conduct

• Develop, update, and enforce housing policies
• Oversee the student conduct process related to housing
• Ensure policies are reviewed annually and updated as needed

Staff Supervision and Development

• Hire, train, and directly supervise three to five professional staff members
• Lead hiring, training, and indirect supervision of 30-40 student staff members
• Provide regular feedback and address performance or conduct issues in consultation with the Assistant Dean of Campus Life
• Lead staff development and training programs for

Student Support and Community Building

• Create a residential environment that supports student growth, leadership development, and active engagement
• Build relationships with students and stay connected to the student experience
• Serve on campus committees as needed (e.g., Care Team, residence hall planning groups)
• Partner with Counseling and other offices to support students in crisis
• Work with Accessibility services to provide appropriate housing accommodations

On-Call and Emergency Response

• Serve as an on-call resource for Residence Life professional and student staff
• Respond to emergencies and serious incidents (e.g., mental health crises, Title IX, substance use) and, when appropriate, direct the work of professional and student staff during the response
• Coordinate with campus partners such as UST Police and Counseling as needed

General Responsibilities

• Support, interpret and enforce University policies, procedures and regulations
• Participate in professional development activities
• Complete additional duties assigned by the Assistant Dean of Campus Life

Qualifications and Requirements

Required

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills for work with students, faculty, and staff across campus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Willingness to live in University-provided housing
• At least 3 years of professional experience in housing or student affairs

Preferred

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
• Experience with StarRez and/or Maxient

Additional Information

• $56,000–$60,000 annual salary.
• The role requires living on campus. The Director receives a 2-bedroom townhome with rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, and maintenance included in the compensation package.
• Additional compensation includes cell phone bill reimbursement, a meal plan, and tuition assistance.
• This is a full-time, 12-month position with full benefits. The position is overtime exempt. Evening and weekend work is occasionally required.

The University of Saint Thomas is committed to the religious, ethical, and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. As permitted by law, practicing Catholics who will advance the mission of the school are preferred for this position. However, the University invites all qualified applicants to apply.