Residence Life Business & Operations Manager

Oberlin College Development; Oberlin (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oberlin College invites applications for the Residence Life Business & Operations Manager. This full-time, 12-month administrative position supports business operations, budget oversight, and assessment practices to create a vibrant residential community.

Reporting to the AVP/Dean of Residence Life, you will manage budgets, procurement, staff supervision, and data-driven reporting, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and student-centered services across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience in higher education or similar organization.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Strong inclusive engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets and office workflows.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Residence Life and Auxiliary budgets and financial reporting.
• Manage procurement processes and vendor relationships.
• Align financial planning with departmental priorities and resources.
• Supervise office staff and student employees.
• Develop and implement assessment strategies for operations.
• Produce reports to support strategic planning and decision-making.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and oral communication

Inclusive engagement

Budget management

Data analysis

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Residence Life Business & Operations Manager

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Announcement Information

Job Summary

The Office of Residence Life invites applications for the position of Residence Life Business & Operations Manager. This is a full-time, 12-month continuing, Administrative and Professional Staff position.

Oberlin College is unique among independent colleges in its commitment to offering students a wide variety of on-campus housing options, such as special interest theme housing, cooperative housing, apartment and suite-style housing, and traditional housing. Residential living and dining are integral to the educational experience of Oberlin students; more than 90% of Oberlin’s students live and dine on campus during their entire 4 to 5 years as undergraduates.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services, this role serves as a strategic and operational partner responsible for business operations, administrative systems, and assessment practices that support a vibrant and inclusive residential community. Specific responsibilities include managing information and workflow responsibilities for the Residence Life and Auxiliary Services Office; supporting department leaders with budget and operational responsibilities; and providing oversight of office staff management and administrative functions.

This position advances the mission, vision, and values of Residence Life by ensuring efficient, equitable, and student-centered operations while fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and inclusive excellence. The incumbent will work with all divisional administrative support personnel including Operational Managers with the Division of Student Affairs to ensure accuracy and prioritization of work throughout the institution.

Responsibilities

Business & Financial Operations

• Oversee Residence Life and Auxiliary budgets, including purchasing, reconciliation, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Manage procurement processes and vendor relationships.
• Align financial planning with departmental priorities identifying resources needed to be successful and financially responsible for office operations.
• Monitor and analyze financial trends to inform decisions.

Office & Administrative Management

• Manage daily office operations, workflow, and communications.
• Manage projects that require completion in a timely manner, with ability to travel where projects are situated, at the direction of the Assistant Vice President and other office leaders.
• Oversee scheduling, meetings, and events with Office personnel.
• Supervise administrative staff and student employees as directed.
• Support development of a comprehensive assessment strategy.
• Collect and analyze data to inform program and operational improvements.
• Produce reports and support strategic planning efforts that promote evidence-based decision-making.

Operations Strategy & Process Improvement

• Develop and refine office policies and procedures with office leadership support.
• Lead process improvement initiatives centered on equity and efficiency.
• Support onboarding and training of staff.
• Coordinate operational systems and tools for effective student engagement.

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage communications across internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with campus partners.
• Oversee web content and publications.

Student-Centered Operations & Inclusive Excellence

• Ensure operations support an inclusive and equitable residential experience.
• Advance belonging and student success initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, are required to execute the position’s role responsibly. Occasional travel to/from external locations for the facilitation of training, meetings and other university functions.

Essential Job Functions

Marginal Job Functions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience with a minimum of 5 years of office experience at an executive-support level in higher education or a similarly complex organization. A high school diploma may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree if accompanied by substantial work experience related to the functional duties of the position.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills involving support for people and project management.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Strong inclusive skills, specifically in the engagement of faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and other stakeholders.
• Skilled in information gathering and coordinating communication.
• Experience with oversight of a complex office environment and workflow.
• Excellent ability to work strategically, independently and cooperatively in a team environment
• Track record in implementing office policies, programs, and activities.
• A desire and commitment to developing relationships with members of a variety of cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, international origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and/or other aspects of human diversity.
• Experience managing budgets, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, report preparation, email and database management.
• Ability to solve complex problems with limited supervision.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in Residence Life and Housing Operations or Student Affairs.
• Previous experience working with Oberlin College and Conservatory fulfilling similar duties/essential functions.
• Previous experience in a higher education environment or other work related to social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Experience with project management
• Experience in hiring, training and management of student staff
• Institutional support for professional development engagement to gather and share best practices, innovative approaches, and develop collegial networks
• Lunch allowance when classes are in session

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Office of Human Resources
Oberlin College
173 West Lorain Street
Oberlin OH 44074

http://new.oberlin.edu/office/human-resources/

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

[e-mail]