Associate Dean of Residential and Community Life

Wellesley College • Wellesley, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Dean for Residential and Community Life will provide leadership for a comprehensive residential program at a highly-selective, national liberal arts college where a strong residential program is an important element in student learning and development. Leading a department of 8 professional staff and 60+ student staff, the Associate Dean will play a key role in developing the vision for a residential community where engagement, civility and cross cultural dialog are primary drivers for success in our diverse and inclusive community. Overseeing the residential life program and the housing operations team, the Associate Dean will also be charged with implementing the Honor Code student conduct system within the residential experience. Moving from a reactive student conduct system to a proactive community development model, the Associate Dean will bring best practices including conflict resolution, engagement across difference and restorative justice models to Wellesley. Focusing on leveraging our strengths in intercultural education and our values of service to others, the role will support students’ intersectional identities while learning how to uphold our community values. The Associate Dean for Residence Life and Community Development will work in close partnership with the Vice President and Dean of Students and Student Life colleagues to define and execute the residential curriculum as part of the strategic planning initiatives at Wellesley.

Requirements

• 15 years of progressive leadership experience in residential life with some experience in housing operations and contributions to construction and renovation projects
• Masters Degree in higher education administration, educational leadership, student development, counseling, or a related field., Ph.D. preferred.
• Experience training, supervising and professionally developing a diverse professional and student staff
• Experience with housing and student case management software, preferably Maxient
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer’s sponsorship now or in the future
• Strong interpersonal communication skills including skills in written and electronic communications and the effective use of social media
• An understanding of student development theory and a genuine interest in the development of undergraduate women.
• Demonstrated use of assessment strategies to improve student residential experience
• Experience maintaining a fiscally responsible budget
• Understanding of the goals of a liberal arts education and an ability to create a seamless living and learning environment within the residential program

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of residential life staff members to provide an enriching and inclusive, residential environment that fosters both living and learning.
• Supervise and promote professional development of 8 professionals and one support staff.
• Provide leadership and direction as it relates to hiring, training, development and evaluation for professional and paraprofessional staff.
• In partnership with Student Life colleagues, the Associate Dean will design and lead the implementation of a comprehensive approach to community building through civil discourse and community dialogue in the residential spaces and across the College.
• Collaborating with faculty and others on the strategic planning implementation teams, the Associate Dean will play a central role in bringing the vision of the residential curriculum to life and to integrate it in the overall curriculum.
• Lead the overhaul of the student conduct system which consists of an honor code council model and a drug and alcohol policy adjudication process.
• Infuse new models of restorative justice, or other best practice models for developing a stronger community where honor, integrity and respect are valued and lived.
• Work collaboratively with campus partners in facilities, dining services, campus police and other divisional and college partners to oversee the daily operations of the residence halls and ensure a safe, comfortable living environment for students.
• Participate in the campus emergency on call system.
• Oversee the emergency response for Residence Life staff in relation to response times, schedule, protocol, post incident assessment, and training related to emergency response related to: natural disasters, standard on call situations, and campus emergency procedures that impact on campus housing students.
• Serve on-call second level to oversee the management of crisis situations
• Oversee the work of the housing operations, manage policies and processes.
• Serve on the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student’s Cabinet to contribute to the divisional approach to the student experience.
• Strategically allocate and oversee the departmental budgets of approximately $500,000 (exclusive of salaries) for both residence life and housing.
• Review and implement of a comprehensive set of policies, procedures, and protocols in line with best practices.
• In partnership with the Associate Dean of Students, develop a comprehensive departmental assessment program focused on both student experience and departmental effectiveness.
• Maintain high visibility within the residence halls and the campus community by dining with students, supporting student events, and actively engaging in committees and campus programs.
• Stay abreast of current research in the field and continually work to enhance the student experience in ways that maintain cultural relevance and student growth and development.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits
• life insurance
• disability coverage
• free parking on our picturesque campus
• paid vacations
• personal days
• sick time
• holidays
• retirement savings plan
• Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• hybrid work environment for select positions
• caregiving support through Wellthy
• legal plan insurance
• pet insurance discount
• retirement planning
• access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston
• continuing training
• pathways for growth within our supportive environment
• tuition benefits
• access to resources to navigate student loan forgiveness
• free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes
• Library resources
• opportunities to attend diverse campus events

What This Job Offers

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