Director of Residential Life

Summary

Position Title

Director of Residential Life

Department

Residential Life

Position Reports to 

Executive Director of Student Enrichment & Development

Effective Date

January 3, 2024

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

The Department of Residential Life is committed to providing a place of belonging for the residential students at Jacksonville University. We act as champion for our residents, seeking to create safe space where every person is honored and celebrated in their individuality and personal identity. Our department often responds to crises and conflict resulting in high emotions. Therefore, our team values empathy, vulnerability, and a spirit of learning.

The Director of Residential Life supports the residential student and staff experience at Jacksonville University. The Director will report to the Executive Director, Student Enrichment and Development, and partner closely with the Director of Residential Operations. However, the Director of Residential Life is the team leader and culture creator behind the residential experience. You will be successful in this role if you are energized by
people interaction, team mentorship, collaboration, and are interested in embracing the grey that comes with serving people well.

This position may be live-off or live-on in a newly renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director of Residential Life leads the Assistant Director of Residential Life and the Residential Life Coordinator team.

Duties/Responsibilities

Team Leadership: 

• Supervise and mentor professional staff, often in their first post-graduate role, through thoughtfully leading regular 1:1s and team meetings;
• Create a hiring and onboarding process for new employees within ResLife;
• Annually create and lead professional staff training for the ResLife team;
• Respond to elevated student needs while teaching staff how to navigate challenging situations;
• Provide ongoing feedback and performance evaluations for professional staff to encourage their growth and success;
• Model a culture of empathy, responsiveness, and individualized care for professional staff. 

Student Experience: 

• Provide leadership and strategic vision for ResLife student leadership hiring & training;
• Take an active role in the oversight and development of the Honors residential community, including partnership with the Honors Faculty in Residence;
• Grow the partnership between ResLife and Greek Life Organizations through support and leadership of the Greek Life residential communities;
• Foster a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity within the residential team, ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all residents;
• Spearhead initiatives to create student persistence and belonging in the halls, including a thoughtful model of events and programming.

Leadership & Strategic Vision: 

• Serve in the Senior On Call evening/weekend duty rotation providing leadership and support for the Pro Staff On Call members;
• Develop and implement operational guidelines, policies, and procedures, including responsibility for the departmental budget;
• Serve as a University-level Conduct Officer within the institution’s student conduct process
• Represent the student residential experience through the use of data, assessment, and analyzing trends;
• Participate in relevant professional organizations and follow research through articles, podcasts, and webinars to stay informed around best practices in college housing;
• Provide guidance to University leadership in conversations on campus expansion and future occupancy needs.

Required Skills/Abilities

• High level of comfort with frequent student contact and being accessible outside of traditional office hours;
• Experience mentoring full-time, live-on professionals and creating a positive team dynamic;
• Exceptional conflict resolution skills and emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Experience using a housing information system and conduct management system, preferably StarRez and Maxient;
• Ability to work with diverse student populations in a safe and welcoming environment.

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education/student affairs or related field from a regionally accredited college or university;
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible, full-time professional experience, in Higher Education, preferably Student Affairs.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit your resume and completed JU application to Jenny Boyer at jboyer1@ju.edu.