Senior Associate Director, Residence Life

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Robust retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State Lady Lions seeks a Senior Associate Director of Residence Life to provide strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight for a multi-campus program serving thousands of students.

Lead professional staff, coordinate student support practices, and collaborate with campus partners to foster thriving residential communities and student belonging. Will supervise senior staff and drive initiatives across safety, inclusion, and student success.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years supervisory experience.
• No certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Residence Life program across designated areas.
• Supervise two Associate Directors, a Senior Assistant Director for Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and a Conduct and Care Case Manager.
• Participate in budget planning and management for a total of $17 million across Residence Life.
• Collaborate with Housing and Food Services, other Student Affairs units, and university partners to promote student success and wellbeing.

Skills

Crisis management

Staff supervision

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's Degree

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Senior Associate Director of Residence Life provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for designated areas within a comprehensive, multi-campus Residence Life program serving 20,000 residential students and 350 student leaders. This position supports the development of residential communities that promote student success, wellbeing, and belonging through the supervision of professional staff, coordination of student support practices, and collaboration with campus and divisional partners.

The Senior Associate Director serves as a member of the Residence Life leadership team and works collaboratively with Housing and Food Services, other Student Affairs departments, Commonwealth Campus leadership, and University Park partners to support high-quality residential environments and student-centered operations. This position provides leadership and supervision to crisis response, organizational initiatives, human resource development, student support systems, and operational effectiveness across all residential campuses and targeted functional areas.

Student and Community Development

• Serve as the department-wide point of contact for residential conduct and the primary liaison to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

• Meet consistently with campus partners about activity in the residential communities, including University Police, Housing, CARE Team, and those specializing in the holistic support of students and the various identities they hold.
• Monitor and update the electronic climate report system and Maxient
• Update residence hall polices as they relate to the Student Code of Conduct, the Housing Contract, and University policy.
• Handle student emergencies and crisis response. Be a part of the weekday and weekend on call rotation for the department.
• Support faculty and student involvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate a commitment to students and the quality of their life in the residence hall environment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the use of restorative practices.
• Demonstrate a commitment to staff and student retention and recruitment efforts.
• Advise student organizations representing the voice of residential students and student leaders

Supervision

• Supervise and oversee the tasks of two Associate Directors, a Senior Assistant Director for Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and a Conduct and Care Case Manager.
• Plan and facilitate staff meetings.
• Evaluate job performance for direct reports.
• Provide department-wide support and training for para-professional and professional staff.

Administration

• Assist the Senior Director in setting the overall direction for the department.
• Maintain effective working relationships with university departments that are external to Student Affairs including Housing and Food Services.
• Lead and oversee key strategic priorities.
• Participate in a leadership team that manages a budget of $17 million.
• Collaborate with other Senior Staff members to support initiatives centered on student success such as living-learning communities, residential curriculum, and peer-to-peer student leadership programming.
• Represent Residence Life as part of the CARE team.
• Represent Residence Life in a variety of operational and strategic meetings.
• Attend and co-facilitate new staff mentor sessions.

Miscellaneous

• Assist the Senior Director in the development and implementation of goals, policies, guidelines, and procedures for the residence hall program.
• Utilize Residence Life and Student Affairs assessment results to measure the department's effectiveness and to implement appropriate programs and services for students.
• Respond effectively to student emergencies and inquiries from higher-level staff, faculty, parents, and the press.
• Serve as representative for construction and renovation planning and committees for buildings and office spaces
• Serve on University and Student Affairs committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must participate in an on-call duty rotation and be able to be on site within 45 minutes.

• Demonstrated professional staff supervisory experience.
• Proven crisis management experience.
• Strong time management, administrative, and interpersonal skills.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master's Degree10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory 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 $81,312.00 - $122,016.00.

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.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines