Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life

Location : Main Campus - Homewood, AL
Job Type: Staff Full Time
Job Number: FY2500392
Division: Student Affairs for Staff
Department: STA-Director of Residence Life
Opening Date: 02/24/2025
FLSA: Exempt

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Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life position provides oversight to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Functions of this position include - day-to-day operation of the department; selection and supervision of staff; oversight of department policies, procedures, assessments, educational programming, and practices; management of approximately 3,000 beds in 34 residence halls which includes University- operated fraternity and sorority houses and master leases with 3 apartment complexes; communication with and assignment of all new and returning residential students; development of departmental record forms and informational material; and maintenance of social media and website for the Department.
Job Duties

• Plan, develop, and coordinate a residence life program and culture designed to engage students and stakeholders in the on-campus living community.
• Provide responses to students/staff for situations including students in crisis, student behavioral issues, student wellness, general student safety, and roommate conflicts.
• Direct resources for the support, care, and safety of students living on campus related to security, crisis response, and other environmental factors that might impact one or more residential communities on campus (i.e., weather, floor, pandemic, etc.)
• Receive and respond to concerns and complaints from students, parents, and/or other stakeholders.
• Provide direction and support for staff development, including the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, and supervision of staff positions with the department.
• Directly supervise the Assistant Directors for Residence Life, the Assistant Director for Housing and Business Operations, and the Facilities and Safety Coordinator.
• Conduct annual employee evaluations with each position report to the Director and ensure that other positions within the department are evaluated by supervisor(s).
• Annually review position descriptions of positions within residence life department and revise as necessary.
• Provide staff with opportunities for personal growth and development through active membership and participation in professional organizations at state and regional levels.
• Interpret, enforce, and review policies and procedures necessary to provide a safe and secure living environment on-campus; submit proposed changes which require approval to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.
• Work cooperatively with the Student Conduct Coordinator to address Honor Code processes, policies, and violations.
• Assist the Assistant Directors of Residence Life in the recruitment and selection of Resident Assistants, Senior Resident Assistants, Residence Managers, and Residence Life Coordinators.
• Work with the Assistant Directors of Residence Life to provide educational and social programming to residents.
• Assist the Assistant Director for Housing and Business Operations in the day-to-day management of the department's housing software program, ensuring it reconciles with the University's data, and the management of student room assignments.
• Determine housing capacities and needs by working with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and the Assistant Director for Housing and Business Operations.
• Assist the Assistant Director for Housing and Business Operations with the requests from groups and individuals to return to campus prior to scheduled operating dates (early arrivals).
• Assist the Assistant Director for Housing and Business Operations in administering the University's residency requirement and meal plan requirements.
• Oversee strategic planning and leadership in establishing priorities of a 3,000-bed housing department.
• Develop specific, achievable, and measurable short-range goals for the department.
• Identify trends and potential patterns within the housing profession, working with appropriate University stakeholders to improve or develop processes.
• Conduct studies, surveys, and reports necessary and requested to comply with institutional or governmental requests/regulations, including periodic accreditation reviews.
• Provide leadership on renovations of existing residence halls as well as new capital projects, external projects and developments identifying residential needs as part of the campus master plan.
• Coordinate the development and submission of annual maintenance and facility improvements with Facilities Management Team and monitor achievement.
• Work with Facility and Safety Coordinator to ensure routine maintenance and custodial requests are addressed in a timely manner.
• Inspect all residence halls on a regular basis.
• Oversee maintenance/disposal of student housing records as required by university policy.
• Oversee management of department budget(s).
• Manage the housing components of the Summer Camp and Conference program for groups requiring residential accommodations.
• Schedule and conduct regular staff meetings with Residence Life Staff to convey information, to coordinate the functions of the department, and to provide staff development opportunities.
• Represent Department of Housing and Residence Life at recruiting events and new student orientation.
• Oversee development and publication of printed and electronic materials associated with the Housing and Residence Life Department.
• Serve on university committees, as assigned.
• Be an active and engaged member of the Campus and Residential Life Team.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with other units of the University essential to the operations of the University and the Residence Life Department.
• Perform or delegate all other functions necessary and essential to the daily operation of the department.

The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressive experience in residence life, housing, or student affairs at a college or university.
• Prior experience with supervision of employees, team development, and evaluation/assessment of individual and department performance.
• Organized with the capability of managing complicated and highly detailed operations.
• Speaking skills that allow for effective communication with students, parents, faculty, and administrators in group or individual settings.
• Ability to provide fiscal management of related budgets.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication, reading, training, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong emotional intelligence, reasoning, and customer contact skills.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality, work with frequent interruptions, and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Physical ability to traverse residence halls on-campus, majority are without elevators.
• Ability to work extended hours (nights and weekends) when needed.
• Commitment to and an understanding of a liberal arts education and the ability to embrace and promote the Christian mission of the University.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in housing software program(s): BANNER, Maxient, EXCEL.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our
01

Do you have a Master's degree in a related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least eight (8) years of progressive experience in residence life, housing, or student affairs at a college or university?

• Yes
• No

Required Question