Resident Director

Pepperdine University; Malibu (CA); On-site; USD 52,727 - 64,444; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust benefits package

Partially furnished campus apartment

Job summary

Pepperdine University in Malibu is seeking a Resident Director for a 10-month, live-on position. This role focuses on building community among students while fostering a respectful and supportive environment. Responsibilities include overseeing student leaders, managing crisis situations, and contributing to the university's mission.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree, possesses strong communication skills, and has experience in residence life. The position comes with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in university residence life and discipleship.
• Ability to integrate faith and student development.
• Personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Responsibilities

• Develop community through training and programming.
• Respond to crises and concerns of students.
• Manage housing facilities and budget.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving

Conflict management

Inclusivity

Education

Master’s degree

Master's degree in higher education administration or related field

Tools

StarRez

Maxient conduct software

Google Suite

Job description

In this 10‑month position, July 16 – May 15, Resident Directors (RDs) serve as ministers, professionals, mentors, educators, and scholar‑practitioners. Their primary function is to build community within an assigned residential area, to support students, and to foster respect for the policies of the institution. This position contributes to and supports the University’s mission and strategic plan by enhancing the learning experience and by fostering a safe, caring, respectful, and dynamic residential community. Resident Directors oversee 8‑13 student leaders, including Resident Advisors (RAs), Spiritual Life Advisors (SLAs), and Graduate Assistants (GAs); develop communities of 250‑450 freshmen, sophomores, or upperclassmen/graduate students; and provide support to campus via an on‑call RD rotation.

Duties

• Develop community through RA training, discipleship, supervision, and residential programming. Serve as a minister to your community by serving as a Biblical role model, being an active member in a local church, supervising area SLAs, attending chapel weekly, and seeking opportunities for spiritual development.
• Respond to residential crisis situations through a duty rotation with other RDs, respond to students of concern, visit and accompany students to the hospital in medical and psychological emergencies, collaborate with public safety, the Student Care Team, and Community Standards. Duty situations include violations of community standards (such as alcohol and other drugs policies), interpersonal violence, suicide ideation, roommate conflict, and facilities issues.
• Serve in the RD specialist roles within Housing and Residence Life such as freshmen programming, sophomore programming, RA/SLA training or hiring. Attend convocation/chapel on a weekly basis and serve on the Residential Emergency Response Team.
• Manage your area’s housing facilities by submitting work orders, completing monthly walk‑through inspections, responding to maintenance emergencies, managing area furniture, and seeking proactive facility improvements.
• Assess, document, and develop written goals, learning outcomes, and student satisfaction levels through weekly, monthly, and annual reports. Manage programming budget and keep accurate budget records for halls. Follow finance policies of the University.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in and understanding of university residence life and evidence of discipleship.
• Ability to integrate Christian faith and student development theories and practice.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to effectively interact with students.
• Ability to problem‑solve, manage conflict, and create inclusive and accessible communities.
• Personal faith in Jesus Christ and serves as a Christian role model.
• Standard office equipment including computers and Google suite software.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, student development, counseling, ministry, or related field.
• Three years of professional, post‑graduate residence life, community building, or ministry experience.
• Crisis response.
• Supervisory experience.
• Evidence of service within the local church and leadership in service and ministry teams.
• StarRez and Maxient conduct software.

This is a Restricted, Exempt 40‑hour per week, 10‑month, live‑on position in a partially furnished campus apartment. Expected Pay Rate: $58,586.66 annually over 10 months. Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening.