Director of Residence

Position: Director of Residence Life
Shenandoah University's Office of Student Affairs is accepting applications for a Director of Residence Life. This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, Virginia.

The Director of Residence Life (DRL) is a full-time professional position within the Division of Student Affairs, providing central, strategic leadership for Shenandoah University's residential experience.

The DRL will provide essential leadership and assessment to develop a campus culture that is welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive. The role is charged with creating living environments designed to foster personal growth, student responsibility, and transformative learning. This is a unique opportunity to deepen the university's existing culture of inclusivity through intentional training and educational opportunities.

Core Responsibilities:

The DRL serves as a senior leader in the division, focusing on operational excellence, staff development, and strategic university partnerships.

* Staff Leadership & Mentorship:

* Provide senior-level training, supervision, and career development for 3 Area Coordinators, 4 Graduate Assistants, and 40+ undergraduate Resident Assistants.

* Guide the residence life team in supporting student retention and persistence to graduation.

* Serve as a mentor to professional staff and both undergraduate and graduate students, focusing on their growth and professional development.

* Operations, Facilities, & Fiscal Management:

* Oversee management of housing assignments, contracts, and occupancy for all residential facilities.

* Manage the departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and cost-effective operations.

* Provide senior-level leadership for housing facilities renovation and new construction projects.

* Ensure efficient office management, departmental assessment, and operational effectiveness.

* Program Development & Assessment:

* Lead the development and assessment of Residence Life programming aligned with defined student learning outcomes.

* Deepen the university's culture of inclusivity through the training and educational opportunities offered in campus communities.

* Provide leadership to facilitate restorative justice initiatives in the residential community.

* Strategic Partnerships & Crisis Management:

* Work collaboratively with senior campus partners, including Physical Plant, Hornet Central, Public Safety, Auxiliary Services, International Programs, and Admissions.

* Contribute to administrative decision-making, creative problem-solving, and serve on campus-wide committees.

* Crisis Management:
Serve in a leadership capacity responding to campus crisis situations, and support the on-call staff members in residence life with managing after-hours incidents.

* Requirements & Benefits:

* Professional Development:
The DRL is encouraged to take advantage of on-the-job training as well as professional development opportunities.

* On-Call Requirement: DRL responds to and supports the on-call staff members in residence life with managing after hours incidents.

* Benefits:
This is a live-on optional position with housing based on need and availability at the time of hire. A meal plan is also available with this position

Required Skills

Qualifications:

The successful applicant must possess the knowledge, experience, and motivation required to lead a comprehensive residential program.

Required:

* 5-7 years of professional higher education experience, with a focus on student life.

* Should possess a deep understanding of housing operations and occupancy, fiscal management skills, and facilities management.

* An understanding of and an appreciation for university policies, procedures, and skills to serve as a conduct officer.

* Supervision and personnel management skills.

* Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask, and meet deadlines for reporting.

* Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.

* Ability to foster connections and work in collaboration with university partners.

* Technology competence with proficiency in Datatel, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

* Ability to work with a diverse student population and a desire to be a role model.

* A motivated, high-energy, and creative problem solver.

Preferred/Strongly Preferred:

* A Master's degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field.

* Prior crisis management and/or student life experience.

* Experience with Star Rez housing software.

How to Apply:

The complete application will include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until a qualified candidate is selected.

Note:

A pre-employment background check will be required, and a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire.

Authorized to work in the United States is a pre-condition of employment. At this time, Shenandoah University is not in a position to sponsor international visas.

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