Director of Residential Life
Job Description:
The Director of Residential Life provides strategic and innovative leadership and oversight for a comprehensive residential program that supports student engagement, belonging, safety, and wellbeing. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment & Dean of Students, the Director serves as the primary decision-maker for the Department of Residential Life, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and best practices in student housing. The Director oversees residential operations, facilities, budgeting, and occupancy management while fostering inclusive, learning-centered residential communities. This role collaborates extensively with campus partners to ensure safe, supportive, and well-maintained living environments for students. The Director also plays a key role in crisis management and representing Residential Life in divisional and university-wide initiatives.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership and Planning:
- Works with the Associate Vice President/Dean of Students to provide strategic direction and goal setting for the Dean of Students portfolio, including but not limited to its various functional areas.
- Primary decision maker providing leadership and advocacy for the Department, responsible for ensuring that the overall mission of the department is successfully implemented and evaluated.
- Works closely with divisional leadership, enrollment management and academic affairs on retention related initiatives.
- Positively represents the Department on Divisional and University committees/meetings, as well as all Open Houses and New Student and Family Orientations.
- Demonstrate commitment to providing leadership in enhancing an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion.
- Financial, Budgetary and Assessment:
- Work closely with the Division of Finance and Administration in the management of DIFR and Housing IFR. Manages the department's operational budgets, including oversight of all purchases.
- Evaluates and assesses University housing occupancy and works closely with the Division of Finance and Administration, and Enrollment Management on projection trends based on enrollment targets.
- Residential Facilities, Operations & Student Services:
- Oversee the residential facilities to maintain a safe, secure, and healthy living environment, including working closely with Facility Management on all renovations and updating of residential facilities.
- Works with members of the team to ensure that all room assignments and billings are completed and communicated to students in a timely fashion.
- Works collaboratively with University Auxiliary Services, Aramark, ID Card Services, and ITS to ensure the best possible services to students in residence.
- Residential Education, Engagement & Retention:
- Develops and oversees residential communities that utilize best practices in student housing, to create engaging, learning environments; actively support residential living and learning communities associated with first year students in partnership with the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging.
- Ensure departmental participation in all new student orientation programs, open houses, and special campus visits of prospective students and their families
- Risk Management, Safety & Personnel Administration:
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with university crisis and risk management policies.
- Work collaboratively with the University Police Department, Community Standards, Counseling and Psychological Services, Enterprise Risk Management, and Student Health Services to ensure the security and safety of students.
- Serves as a member of the University Incident Management Team.
- Work with Human Resources with regard to policy implementation, hiring, and filing performance programs, evaluations, term renewals and termination procedures for professional personnel.
- Routinely follow-up with students and parents regarding their experiences related to the Department of Residential Life.
Functional and Supervisory Relationships:
- The Director of Residential Life reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment & Dean of Students.
- The Director directly supervises three (3) associate directors but is responsible for a professional staff of eight (8) assistant directors, 40 live-in professional staff, two (2) administrative personnel, and over 100 student staff.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 12 years of experience in Residential Life at the collegiate level, OR a Master's degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience in Residential Life at the collegiate level
- 5-7 years supervising professional residential life staff
- Demonstrated experience in managing complex budgets
- Demonstrated experience working with facilities management staff
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration or related field is preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form
- Strong administrative and management skills
- Knowledge of student development theory
- Experience in an R1 or similarly complex higher education institution.
- Experience with housing software and assessment
This search is supported by WittKieffer. Inquiries and nominations can be directed to the WK team: Jen Pickard, Ph.D., and Christy Pratt, M.A. at: UAlbany-ResLife@wittkieffer.com.
Additional Information:
Professional Rank and Salary Range: Director of Residential Life, SL-5, $150,000-$160,000.
Special Notes: This title is in Appendix A of the SUNY Policies of the Board of Trustees and, as a consequence, incumbents serving in this title are not eligible for permanent appointment (tenure). Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E-Verify employer.
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