Area Director of Residential

Position: Area Director of Residential Life
Colgate University has been recognized on the 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs list by The EDU Ledger and ACPA. This honor highlights Colgate's dedication to a positive work environment, focusing on family friendliness, salary and benefits, and professional growth.

The Office of Residential Life furthers the educational mission of Colgate University by extending student learning and growth into our residential community, promoting a purposeful and inclusive environment through shared experience. This is accomplished by promoting healthy, safe, and inclusive communities where individual members are valued and respected; fostering personal growth and success through a purposeful residential experience; and challenging and supporting students in making meaningful and responsible contributions to society.

The Residential Commons is a fundamental, driving force that infuses intellectual engagement and community development into the residential experience  first-year students live in one of four Commons, each with its own unique personality and characteristics, under the direction of faculty directors. Upper-division students maintain an affiliation with their respective Commons for life, whether formally-by continuing to live within the Commons or its social house-or informally.

Residential Life and the Commons aim to provide students with a home away from home that reflects the academic rigor and engagement of the University at large.

Accountabilities

The Area Director (AD) is a full-time, live-in position, primarily responsible with the effective and efficient execution of strategies and programs that enrich the residential experience  AD works closely with the Residential Life Leadership Team and, when assigned to a Commons Area, a Residential Commons Leadership Team to build intellectually-engaging residential communities in which all students feel like they belong and have the opportunity to grow.

ADs who oversee areas that fall within the Residential Commons work with the Commons Co-Directors to lead a particular Residential Common. The AD supervises live-in student staff in their respective areas, and may provide leadership for a part-time Fellow in a Residential Commons.

Specific Responsibilities:

Community Development & Engagement

* Provide support in the development and furthering of the departmental philosophy, mission, and programs by translating the mission, vision, and strategic goals in ways that impact and transform residential communities

* Manage the facilitation of the community development and learning model in their area, which may include one-on-ones, event planning, community meetings, and other strategies

* Cultivate an identity that is appropriately visible and approachable to the campus community as a live-in residential staff member

* Provide accurate advice and guidance that actively supports the growth, maturity, and intellectual development of individual students and groups of students within assigned residential communities

* Facilitate the administration of protocols and processes to address the needs of students of concern and to connect them with appropriate resources and support systems

* Participate in the management of student behavior by responding to incidents, meeting with students, and applying appropriate sanctions as detailed in the University student handbook.

* Resolve student conflict and conduct issues within assigned residential area (or broader when on-call), ensuring proper documentation of conduct issues

* Ensure the development of a safe, welcoming, accessible, and fair environment that actively includes and engages everyone

* Actively address issues and concerns that diminish the capacity for all students to feel like they belong and are able to engage in their respective communities

* Maintain active engagement in your assigned communities by participating in events and programs and having a presence in each area

* Serve as a role model of healthy engagement in the greater campus community

Intellectual Connection

* Provide leadership and support within assigned Residential Commons

* Assist residents with concerns that are barriers to academic success and make appropriate referrals as required

* Develop effective relationships with faculty, including assigned Residential Commons directors, in active implementation of living and learning objectives

* Facilitate the development of residential communities that support and encourage intellectual pursuits and academic engagement

* Advise the Commons Council in support of these goals

Staff Supervision

* Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of student staff in accordance with department expectations, goals, and established procedures

* Participate in and plan on-going staff development and in-service activities for the purpose of continued training and opportunities for personal development for student staff

* Advise departmental committees for student staff members and students

Facilities & Building…