Assistant Director, Housing Operations

Emerson College • Boston, MA

1d • $53,450 - $64,150 • Onsite

About The Position

Join our community and experience Emerson College! The Assistant Director of Housing Operations reports to the Associate Director of Housing Operations and is responsible for managing daily housing occupancy, including contracting, room assignments, contract reviews, and room changes. This role ensures seamless service delivery, enhances the residential experience, and serves as the primary liaison for students and families. The Assistant Director plays a leadership role in shaping housing policies, optimizing housing systems, and aligning operational functions with student development initiatives and institutional goals.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in business management, project management, higher education, or a related field is required.
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in housing operations, residence life, or student affairs within a college or university setting is required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data management tools.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, generate reports, and provide strategic recommendations.
• Excellent organizational, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with students, families, and campus partners.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or related field preferred.
• Experience with student housing operations, including occupancy management, contract administration, and student programming, preferred.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to train and manage staff effectively, preferred.
• Proficiency in housing management software (experience with StarRez preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in managing housing occupancy, including oversight of housing assignments, room changes, contract administration, and billing.
• Oversee housing selection and assignment processes to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness for all students.
• Serve as the College’s subject matter expert and manager for housing software systems and housing-related business processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze occupancy trends and provide data-driven recommendations to optimize housing utilization.
• Manage student housing portals and technology platforms, ensuring an intuitive and effective user experience while maintaining process documentation.
• Supervise and provide strategic direction for front desk operations, including hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluating front desk staff.
• Critically examine, refine, and revise housing policies and processes as necessary, identifying core problems and employing initiative, creativity, and advanced-level proficiency to craft solutions that balance student, departmental, and institutional needs.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies regarding housing accommodations, accessibility, and equity in residential living.
• Maintain emergency response protocols related to housing operations and serve in an on-call capacity to address urgent situations.
• Act as a key liaison for students and families, providing information and resolution regarding housing concerns, assignments, and processes.
• Coordinate all department communications related to residence hall operations, ensuring clarity and accessibility of housing policies, deadlines, and procedural updates.
• Collaborate with Residential Education to align housing operations with student development initiatives and create a seamless residential experience.
• Partner with campus departments, including Facilities, Campus Safety, Dining Services, and IT, to enhance housing services and support institutional goals.
• Oversee and coordinate student move-in and move-out processes, ensuring smooth transitions and positive residential experiences.
• Manage lost key reporting, lock change requests, inventory of residence hall spare keys, and associated billing.
• Work closely with Facilities and Custodial Services to ensure timely maintenance, cleanliness, and overall operational efficiency of residence halls.
• As a member of the Housing & Residential Education leadership team, actively contribute to the alignment of the office’s operations with the strategic direction of the Student Affairs division and the College.
• Assist with budget planning and financial oversight for housing operations.
• Lead special projects and initiatives related to housing operations as assigned.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members.
• We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.
• Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible.
• Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director