Resident Director

University of Kentucky; Kentucky; On-site; USD 37,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Resident Director to lead and support a residence hall community. This full‑time, live‑on role focuses on student learning, development, and safety, with oversight of student staff, programming, and daily operations.

The RD will supervise undergraduate staff, partner with campus offices, and uphold university policies while delivering a supportive, inclusive living-learning environment for residents.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or residential setting is required.
• Abilities to lead and supervise student staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good judgment.
• Ability to work independently and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Supervision – supervise undergraduate student staff and Resident Advisors.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate student staff.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Lead regular staff meetings and professional development.
• Foster a positive residential environment supporting academic success.
• Respond to student concerns and incidents with care and policy alignment.
• Oversee programming and collaboration with Living‑Learning programs.
• Manage daily residence hall operations and maintain records.

Skills

Higher Education Experience

Staff Supervision

Interpersonal Skills

Independence

Education

BA

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title

Resident Director

Requisition Number

RE55579

Department Name

1B450:Residence Life

Work Location

Lexington, KY

Grade Level

42

Salary Range

$36,941-59,134/year

Type of Position

Staff

Position Time Status

Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Required Related Experience

1 yr

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

None.

Shift

Days, evenings, weekends, on call.

The Resident Director lives on-site in the residence hall.

Job Summary

The University of Kentucky Office of Residence Life is seeking dedicated, student‑centered professionals to serve as Resident Directors (RDs). Resident Directors play a vital role in creating inclusive, safe, and engaging residential communities that support student learning, development, and success.

Position Overview

The primary goal of the Office of Residence Life is to provide a comprehensive living‑learning experience that supports the academic mission of the University of Kentucky. Resident Directors are full‑time, live‑on professional staff members who hold primary responsibility for advancing this mission within an individual residence hall or residential community.

Resident Directors provide leadership through staff supervision, student support, community development, and operational management while collaborating closely with campus partners across the Office for Student Success and the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Supervision
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate undergraduate student staff, including Resident Advisors and other assigned student employees.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management to student staff to support their development and accountability.
• Lead regular staff meetings, individual check‑ins, and professional development initiatives.
• Student Support and Community Development
• Foster a positive residential environment that supports students’ academic success, personal growth, and sense of belonging.
• Respond to and manage student concerns, crises, and incidents using a care‑focused, developmentally appropriate, and policy‑aligned approach.
• Serve as a visible presence in the residence hall and an accessible resource for students.
• Residential Education and Programming
• Oversee and support residential educational and academic programming initiatives, including Living‑Learning Program collaboration when applicable.
• Partner with campus offices to deliver intentional learning opportunities that align with institutional student success goals.
• Conduct, Policy, and Safety
• Implement and enforce university and residence hall policies in a fair, consistent, and educational manner.
• Conduct in‑hall conduct meetings and document outcomes in accordance with departmental and University procedures.
• Train and support student staff in safety, security, and emergency response protocols.
• Operations and Administration
• Manage daily residence hall operations, including monitoring security systems, submitting and tracking maintenance requests, coordinating room assignments, approving payroll, and completing required departmental documentation.
• Ensure accurate record‑keeping, timely reporting, and compliance with University, HR, and Residence Life policies.
• Participate in duty rotations and after‑hours on‑call responsibilities as assigned.
• Collaboration and Professional Engagement
• Work collaboratively with campus partners, including Housing, Student Success units, and other University departments.
• Contribute to department‑wide initiatives, committees, training programs, and assessment efforts.
• Model professionalism, accountability, and ethical decision‑making in all aspects of the role.

Student Success will, from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond, support students in living a life of meaning and purpose. From a student-centered framework, our practice will be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, national best practices, and data-informed decision making. Collaborating with the campus and community, Student Success will work through a holistic lens to support a community of learners in achieving success.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Experience in higher education or working in a residential setting.
• Evidence of administrative skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and judgment.
• Independence and professionalism.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• At least one year’s experience living and working in an on‑campus residence hall setting is preferred.

Deadline to Apply

09/09/2026

Our University Community

We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.