Director ​/ Residential Education

Director / Residential Education

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU's mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by September 4, 2026.

Position Title:

Director / Residential Education

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Residence Life and Chief Housing Officer, the Director of Residential Education provides strategic, administrative, and organizational leadership for the residential education program serving students across the University's residence halls and apartment communities. The Director is responsible for establishing and advancing a comprehensive residential education strategy that promotes student belonging, learning, well-being, engagement, leadership development, and persistence.

The position translates institutional and divisional priorities into coherent residential practices, staffing models, learning experiences, response systems, and performance expectations.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in student affairs, higher education, or related field. At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in residence life, residential education, housing, student affairs, or a closely related area. Significant experience supervising, developing, and evaluating full-time professional staff, including employees who supervise others. Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership for a complex residential education or student affairs operation. Demonstrated success leading organizational change, implementing new systems or practices, and building support across multiple stakeholder groups.

Experience developing and implementing residential learning, student engagement, community development, or student leadership initiatives. Experience with student conduct, crisis response, student care, behavioral intervention, or emergency management in a college or university environment. Experience using assessment, operational data, student feedback, and institutional priorities to evaluate programs and guide decision-making. Demonstrated ability to evaluate organizational structure, workload, functional ownership, and resource allocation and to implement changes that strengthen effectiveness and sustainability.

Demonstrated ability to establish clear standards, procedures, decision rights, and accountability mechanisms across a decentralized or multifaceted organization. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage productive partnerships with academic, student support, public safety, facilities, conduct, counseling, and other institutional stakeholders. Demonstrated multicultural competence and the ability to lead inclusive residential communities serving students with varied identities, experiences, and needs. Advanced knowledge of student development, student learning, organizational development, and contemporary residential education practices.

Demonstrated organizational, analytical, administrative, and problem-solving ability. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, families, employees, senior administrators, and campus partners, both orally and in writing. Ability to exercise sound judgment in complex, sensitive, politically nuanced, and high-impact situations. Proficiency with contemporary administrative technology, data systems, case-management platforms, and standard office applications. Ability to work evenings and weekends and respond to significant incidents outside regular business hours when necessary.

Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Location:

Mount Pleasant, MI