Associate Director, Residence Life & Education

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director, Residence Life & Education provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Residence Life & Education programs, policies, and initiatives. This role guides the on-campus living experience for residential, graduate, and family housing communities, fostering a holistic residential environment focused on engaging experiences. The position involves recommending and executing policies, overseeing community programming, managing residential policies and procedures, analyzing assessment data, and providing administrative follow-up to students, families, and faculty. The Associate Director also adjudicates student cases, develops and enforces community standards, and implements recruitment and professional development for staff. This role enhances residential learning through data-driven programs and strategic partnerships, guides the implementation of student development programs and residential curricula, and collaborates with academic units for co-curricular learning. Additionally, the Associate Director leads evaluation and assessment efforts, coordinates crisis management, oversees crisis management protocols, and collaborates with wellness centers for crisis response and training. They also evaluate and maintain emergency preparedness plans and protocols.

Requirements

Master’s degree in appropriate area of specialization and four years of appropriate experience or a bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas of specialization and six years of experience.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Obtained master’s degree in in higher education, counseling, leadership or similar field
Minimum three years of full-time supervisory experience leading a high performing team
Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience within higher education environment
Working knowledge and understanding of student development (e.g. theory, application to residential communities)
Understanding and management of higher education student conduct systems and policies
Progressive experience working with budgets, financial procedures, and other business-related functions
Experience with crisis and emergency response, planning, and management
Demonstrated skills with strategic planning and effective program development
Experience with assessment practices, data-driven environment and/or data-driven decision-making
Demonstrated proficiency with computers and software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, StarRez, Maxient)
Effectively communicate complex information and deliver professional proposals/presentations to various stakeholders
Proven ability to effectively develop purposeful partnerships across functional lines
Proven ability to address nuanced problems with sensitivity and discretion
Expertise in conflict resolution and mediation
Accuracy, attention to detail and a customer service-oriented attitude
Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a multifaceted environment

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and strategic oversight for the residential life & education area, guiding the on-campus living experience for residential and graduate and family housing communities.
Build and foster a holistic residential environment grounded in best practice and focused on creating engaging experiences for all residential students.
Recommend and execute policies and programs related to the residential living learning experience.
Provide strategic oversight to community programming in residential spaces ensuring strategic alignment with departmental and divisional goals.
Lead, provide oversight, and ensure execution of residential policies, procedures, and protocols including but not limited to: opening/closing, reassignments, damage assessments, and health & safety inspections.
Analyze assessment data and benchmark trends to inform program and policy improvements.
Provide oversight for department sponsored student organizations (e.g. IRHA, NRHH, SAB, Area Governments) including but not limited to governance, programming, and financial management.
Provide administrative follow-up to students, families or faculty members, addressing concerns and needs.
Adjudicate individual student cases via administrative hearings and administrative reviews or refer to other conflict resolution processes as appropriate.
Develop, review, maintain and enforce residence hall community standards, policies and procedures.
In partnership, implement strategic recruitment and professional development initiatives to attract, engage, and retain team of student employees, graduate assistants and full-time staff fostering a supportive and growth-oriented work environment.
Serve as a Campus Security Authority.
Enhance residential learning through data-driven programs and strategic partnerships to elevate student engagement, retention, and success.
Guide the implementation and evaluation of a practical and theory-based student development program and residential curriculum for residents, and student staff, focusing on learning and engagement.
Assist with the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of residential learning communities intentionally designed to promote student learning, retention, and contribute to student academic success.
Collaborate with academic units and university departments to focus on innovative co-curricular learning (e.g. faculty engagement and interdisciplinary collaborations).
Lead evaluation and assessment efforts for Residence Life addressing prevailing needs of students, encouraging continuous improvement, and satisfaction.
Coordinate and manage crisis management functions and provide support for students.
Oversee crisis management protocols, responses and follow-up addressing student behavior and care concerns in collaboration with campus partners (e.g. the Dean of Students Office, Counseling & Wellness Center, UFPD).
Collaborate with the Counseling and Wellness Center to provide crisis response, training programs designed to equip staff in basic crisis intervention, and connections to resources/community agencies involved in the assessment and resolution of crisis situations.
Evaluate and maintain emergency preparedness plans and protocols to safeguard residents, employees, facilities, and assets in the event of emergencies or disasters aligning with departmental and University policies and procedures and divisional emergency management.
Manage full-time and student staff establishing priorities, workflows, direction and leadership to achieve desired outcomes; Responsible for administrative functions related to employee management.
Develop systematic approaches to enhance business processes and operations to align with strategic goals and objectives.
Responsible for budget planning, management, and oversight for areas of responsibility.
Guide the implementation, dissemination, and enforcement of comprehensive policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure consistency, and compliance within areas of responsibility.
Assists the Director with strategic planning and development of long- and short-term goals.
Manage and continually evaluate information systems and corresponding data utilized in area operations.
Serve in after hours on-call rotation to respond to emergencies for area of responsibility.
Develop reports, handle special projects, tasks, and other duties as assigned.
Serve as a member of the unit leadership team.
Serve on Division of Student Life or University of Florida committees as needed.
Operates state vehicles.