Assistant Director of Residence

Position Title:

Assistant Director of Residence Life

Professional & Scientific

Master’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Summary of

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Residence at Iowa State University is seeking a collaborative and student-centered professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Residence Life. In this leadership role, the successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of residential communities, support student success and well-being, and foster safe, inclusive, and engaging living environments that promote learning and personal development.

The Assistant Director provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to professional staff, including Hall Directors and Apartment Directors. Responsibilities include staff recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, coaching, and professional development. This position oversees key residential operations, including occupancy management, summer and break housing programs, and coordination with campus partners to ensure effective administration of assigned communities.

Working closely with colleagues across the university, the Assistant Director advances departmental priorities and initiatives, supports staff development efforts, responds to complex student concerns and crisis situations, and contributes to strategic planning and operational decision-making. The position also utilizes assessment data, operational metrics, and stakeholder feedback to inform continuous improvement efforts and enhance the residential student experience.

The ideal candidate will bring experience supervising and developing staff, leading programs and initiatives, and using assessment and data-informed practices to drive continuous improvement. They will demonstrate the ability to manage complex student and staff situations, build collaborative relationships with campus and external partners, and effectively balance operational responsibilities with a strong commitment to student success, engagement, and belonging.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a skilled higher education professional who is passionate about student development, team leadership, problem-solving, and creating vibrant residential communities that support student engagement, belonging, and success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
• Significant professional experience in university housing or residence life
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading teams.

Department/Program & College

Description:

The Department of Residence at Iowa State University is committed to advancing student success by providing supportive, welcoming, and inclusive living and learning communities. Through its residence halls and apartment communities, the department fosters student engagement, personal growth, leadership development, and academic achievement while creating a safe and vibrant residential experience for all students. The Department of Residence partners with students, families, faculty, and staff to cultivate communities where students can learn, connect, and thrive.

Department Unit/Website:
Home - Department of Residence

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers Work Flex options for some positions. Work Flex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment, or call  or Toll Free:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Full time

PS807

September 18, 2026

September 28, 2026

R19945

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual…