Assistant Director, Learning Initiatives

Assistant Director, Learning Initiatives

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt:
Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Residence Life

Department: 300000 - Residence Life Admin

Pay Rate: $57,000-$60,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Beginning Review Date:07/19/2026

The Office of Residence Life at James Madison University is accepting applications for an Assistant Director, Learning Initiatives. The Office of Residence Life is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth, and responsibility to one's community.

The Assistant Director, Learning Initiatives reports to the Associate Director of Learning Initiatives and supports the mission of the Office of Residence Life by supervising a full-time Coordinator and the Faculty in Residence program, facilitating the growth of the Residential Education Plan which maps to and supports the Student Affairs Strategic Plan, supporting assessment efforts within Residence Life, and managing all aspects of the Residential Learning Communities on campus.

This is a full-time, live off position that is part of a close-knit department with over 30 full-time staff members and over 250 student staff members.

#1:
Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Directly supervise one Coordinator of Learning Initiatives; indirectly supervise a graduate assistant for the Resource Center and nine Program Advisers.
• Lead (with the Coordinator) all recruitment and selection efforts related to hiring Program Advisers.
• Manage administration and details for the Residential Learning Communities and other housing communities in partnership with faculty initiatives.
• Participate in the Residential Experience Group, providing leadership, vision, implementation and improvement for the Residential Education Plan.
• Utilize current literature and learning theories to continuously improve the Residential Education Plan.
• Ensure staff members are educated and supported in all residential student learning initiatives including the Residential Education Plan and the RLCs.
• Provide leadership and support to the Faculty in Residence program including communication and collaboration with current FIRs living on campus.

#2:
Collaboration

• Develop and maintain relationships with departments across Student Affairs and other stakeholders to promote efficiency/effectiveness.
• Liaison between Residence Life and various stakeholders in Academic Affairs to provide student learning and engagement opportunities within residence halls.
• Attend appropriate academic affairs meetings to foster close working relationships and garner support for residential learning.
• Collaborate with Faculty in Residence to promote engagement and education in residential living.

#3:
Student Staff and Resident Engagement

Engage with on-campus residents through the Residential Education Plan and student staff employees in the resource center; use information gathered for short-term and long-term planning, programming, and support.

#4:
Resource Management

• Manage spending related to the Resource Center and programming budgets.
• Supervise ordering of inventory, supplies, and educational equipment.
• Ensure equity is considered when resources are used.

#5:
Assessment

• Lead assessment of the RLCs, the FIR program and the Residential Education Plan especially ICONs.
• Liaison between Residence Life and Student Affairs Assessment and Technical Services.

#6:
Crisis Management

Participate in the on-call rotation for residential campus and provide support to staff during times of crisis.

#7:
Committee Work

Serve on departmental and university committees.

#8:
Professional Development

Accumulate a minimum of 20 hours of professional development each evaluation period; obtain hours through university, divisional, and department training, conferences, certifications, or other job-related training.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years experience in Student Affairs or Higher Education or related field
• Demonstrated ability to foster a welcoming,…