Associate Director of Operations

East Texas A&M University•Commerce, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Operations, reporting to the Director, provides leadership and direction for the Occupancy Management and Facilities & Operations functional areas within Residential Living and Learning. As a member of the department’s leadership team, this position advances housing operations, thoughtful space utilization, and high-quality residential communities that support student success. The Associate Director supervises and supports the Assistant Directors in these areas, including developing and refining departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs), long-term planning, and day-to-day operational coordination. This position collaborates closely with campus partners to maintain a seamless residential experience, ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, and use data-informed decision-making to strengthen residential environments that promote student learning, engagement, and well-being.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
Four (4) years of comprehensive experience is required, including staff development and supervision, administration of residence hall operations, and facilitation or oversight of programs.
Demonstrated experience supervising full-time staff is essential.
Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Candidates must also have extensive experience with StarRez occupancy management system, including advanced report writing, data subscriptions, and application development.
Ability to multi-task and work well as part of a team.
Valid driver’s license.
Certified or must obtain certification to drive within 60 days of date hired.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
Extensive knowledge of housing operations, including occupancy management and housing management software such as StarRez, are preferred.
Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring staff, as well as serving as a business or operational liaison, is highly desired.
Experience overseeing departmental communications, marketing initiatives, or student engagement programs is also a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction and oversight for the Occupancy Management functional area, in partnership with the Assistant Director of Occupancy Management.
Guide short- and long-term occupancy forecasting, including demand modeling, attrition analysis, and scenario planning.
Review room inventory accuracy, configuration practices, and space utilization strategies to ensure system-wide effectiveness.
Monitor application, assignment, and waitlist trends, partnering with staff to maximize occupancy while maintaining a strong student experience.
Develop and share regular occupancy reports and dashboards to inform departmental and divisional decision-making.
Provide leadership and operational guidance for residential facilities in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Facilities & Operations.
Review work order metrics, response times, and customer service standards to support efficient maintenance operations.
Support building readiness efforts, including opening/closing processes, inspections, and turnover planning.
Collaborate with campus partners on maintenance priorities, vendor coordination, and project planning.
Assist with summer operations planning, including conferences, camps, and transition processes.
Ensure compliance with university safety standards, risk management practices, and regulatory requirements.
Lead the development, documentation, and regular review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) across occupancy, facilities, and business workflows.
Identify opportunities to streamline processes and remove operational bottlenecks.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators to assess operational effectiveness.
Use data to support planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement efforts.
Contribute to departmental strategic planning and assessment initiatives.
Supervise and support the Graduate Assistant, Marketing & Guest Services.
Oversee departmental marketing and communications to ensure clear, concise, and consistent information for students and campus partners.
Coordinate and lead housing tours and other engagement initiatives for prospective and current residents.
Collaborate with campus partners to promote the residential experience and highlight departmental programs and services.
The position presents many opportunities to become involved on campus and pursue professional development and interests through committees and campus partnerships.
Involvement in student affairs professional, regional, and/or national associations is also supported and encouraged.
Stay informed of emerging trends, regulations, and best practices in facilities and housing operations.
Actively contribute to departmental goals and initiatives, supporting strategic priorities.
Support departmental priorities and goals.
Assist with other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Employee tuition assistance for master’s and doctoral programs.
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
12-15 days of annual paid holidays, plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.
Access to cutting-edge research opportunities at a designated R2 Research Institution.
Academic Excellence: ETAMU is ranked among the top 30% in five online degree programs and offers national recognized academic programs.
Over 140 degree programs, including nationally ranked online and graduate options.
First accredited institution to offer a competency-based bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Distance education offerings in Corsicana, Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Mesquite, Bryan, and online.
Work in advanced facilities such as the 113,470-square-foot Nursing and Health Sciences Building, featuring a state-of-the-art simulation hospital and a 1,300-acre agricultural research farm.
Engage with over 95 student organizations and 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams, contributing to a thriving campus community.
Enjoy the benefits of working in rapidly growing regions, with abundant career opportunities at six locations across Dallas and Northeast Texas.