Director of Residential & Conference Services

Job Summary

The Office of Residence Life invites applications for the position of Director of Residential and Conference Services. This is a full-time, 12-month continuing, Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services

Oberlin College is unique among independent colleges in its commitment to offering students a wide variety of on-campus housing options, such as special interest theme housing, cooperative housing, apartment and suite-style housing, and traditional housing. Residential living and dining are integral to the educational experience of Oberlin students; more than 90% of Oberlin's students live and dine on campus during their entire 4 to 5 years as undergraduates.

The director joins a management team under the leadership of the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services that includes the Assistant Dean/Director of Residential Housing Operations and Director of Residential Engagement. The director is responsible for coordination of a comprehensive conference program that includes external event management, internal partnership with various campus organizations, and close collaboration with campus dining. The director will provide guidance and development of the conference services website and StarRez conference portal; update and maintain billing charges for conference service and dining fees with compelling marketing that promotes understanding of administrative policies and timelines. In all of these administrative functions, ability to demonstrate excellent customer service is required including interpersonal skills with students, parents, faculty, staff and outside community members; effective, compelling publicity for conference service processes and policies; and interactions with students, parents, staff, faculty and outside community members that reflect respect and support for students' personal and social development and academic success.

Responsibilities

• Direct all Conference Service events that meet the needs of internal and external clients including review and development of policies, procedures and best practices within the mission.
• Manage all client contracts for major events, including summer programs, day camps, and other programs throughout the year in collaboration with Student Leadership and Involvement.
• Conduct client meetings to determine needs and establish rapport applicable to campus policy and contract details.
• Coordinate summer dining schedule with food service partners.
• Establish open communication with local community partners, campus partners, and other Oberlin College groups and organizations.
• Develop and manage budgets including planning, monitoring and preparing reports, collections and reconciliation of all revenue, including summer conference invoices.
• Oversee Conference Service database systems, financial programs and other technology as necessary.
• In partnership with the Office of Communications, develop marketing strategies to increase summer programs and improve web presence for external recruitment of clients and other external revenue opportunities.
• Participate in professional development organizations like the Association of Collegiate Conferences and Event Directors International (ACCED-I), Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I) and Ohio 5 Conference Directors Consortium.
• Provide direct supervision, oversight, and mentorship for one Master's level Assistant Director and multiple student employees
• Assist with early arrivals, residence hall openings/closings, orientation, welcome week, and life safety and facilities inspections
• In collaboration with other Student Life staff, assist in the review, evaluation, and revision of student and administrative office policies and procedures.
• Engage in and develop collegial relationships with other employees in all areas of the institution.
• Participation in a campus wide on-call system.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

Master's degree, which can be in student personnel or another field; excellent oral and written communication skills, strong customer service and organizational skills, proven ability to work collegially with a variety of constituencies, and traits that complement and demonstrate integrity and cooperation in relation to administration and management.