Senior Assistant Director, Living Learning Communities and Strategic Initiatives

Penn State; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University is seeking a Senior Assistant Director for Living Learning Communities and Strategic Initiatives. Lead LL community programs, supervise staff, and support strategic deployment across campus, with a focus on academic and student development.

This role emphasizes collaboration with academic units and student services, and requires strong leadership, crisis response, and program budgeting capabilities on the University Park campus.

Qualifications

• Experience in supervision, organizational leadership, financial stewardship, and administration within Residence Life, Housing, or Student Affairs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work with diverse student and staff populations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee student and community development in Living Learning Communities, coordinating planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Supervise professional staff, including two Living Learning Community Coordinators; support training and staff development.
• Foster faculty and staff engagement in Living Learning Communities through collaborative initiatives.
• Participate in evening/weekend on-call rotation and respond to crises at the University Park campus.
• Develop partnerships with academic units, student support services, Housing, and Student Affairs to advance initiatives and budgets.

Skills

Supervision

Leadership

Administration

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

The Residence Life Office is looking for a dynamic and energetic individual to join the team as the **Senior Assistant Director for Living Learning Communities and Strategic Initiatives**. Residence Life is committed to the development of a safe and inclusive living-learning community that fosters academic, social, cultural, and personal growth. We strive to enable residents to develop respect and responsibility for themselves and their community**.**Reporting to the Associate Director for Academic and Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Assistant Director provides leadership and operational oversight for the Living Learning Community program at the University Park campus and supports the implementation of initiatives that advance the department’s strategic plan. This position serves as a member of the Residence Life leadership team and works collaboratively with academic, student affairs, and other partners to support high-quality residential environments and student-centered operations.This position is **not** a live-in role. The role includes participation in an on-call rotation. Living within a minimum radius of Penn State University Park campus will be necessary for Residence Life emergency response. **In addition to the above information, specific responsibilities of the Senior Assistant Director include but are not limited to:****Student and Community Development*** Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of student and community development in the Living Learning Community Program* Foster meaningful faculty and staff engagement in Living Learning Communities through collaborative initiatives that enhance student learning and community development* Participate in the evening and weekend Residence Life on-call rotation and respond to crises, emergencies, and critical incidents at the University Park campus**Supervision*** Supervise and lead professional staff, including two Living Learning Community Coordinators* Support training and professional development and evaluate job performance* Plan and facilitate staff meetings* Provide program-wide leadership and support for professional staff and student leaders**Administration*** Develop and foster stakeholder partnerships and relationships with academic units, student support services, Student Affairs offices, Housing, and others* Support Residence Life strategic priorities, including planning, execution, and evaluation of select initiatives* Support the effective use and implementation of bespoke technologies and systems* Assist in the development and dissemination of training, resources, and tools for staff and student leader use* Assist the Associate Director in development tracking of program budgets, and implementation of goals, policies, guidelines, and procedures**The successful candidate will demonstrate:*** Experience in supervision, organizational leadership, financial stewardship, and administration within Residence Life, Housing, or Student Affairs* Experience supporting, operationalizing, and evaluating campus-wide initiatives, staff and student development programs, and organizational change efforts* Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills* A high level of cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with diverse student and staff populations* Ability to perform other duties as assigned **MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS**Master's Degree6+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None### **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.### Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. **SALARY & BENEFITS**The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $59,580.00 - $86,400.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.