Director, Housing & Residence Life

Lamar University•Beaumont, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Housing and Residence Life provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Lamar University's residential housing program, including Cardinal Village and future residential developments. Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director advances a comprehensive residential experience that supports student engagement, leadership development, academic success, wellbeing, belonging, and retention. The position oversees housing operations, residential education, occupancy management, facilities administration, budgets and resources, assessment, conduct administration, crisis response, and summer housing programs. As the University's senior housing leader, the Director represents housing in master planning, major renovation, capital improvement, and future residential construction initiatives. The role collaborates with Facilities Management, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, University Police, and other campus partners to ensure residential communities are safe, well-maintained, student-centered, and aligned with institutional priorities. The Director is also a member of the Division of Student Affairs leadership team and contributes to division-wide strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, Educational Leadership, or a similar discipline from an accredited university.
Seven years of progressive leadership in Housing and Residential Life, including direct supervision of professional staff and oversight of hall operations, facilities, and student council.
Demonstrated experience managing large budgets and financial resources.
Experience in crisis response, risk management, and student support.
Ability to collaborate across divisions and build effective partnerships.
Ability to reside within 30 miles of the Lamar University campus to meet emergency response requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams, including hiring, training, and performance management of professional and support staff.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and lead during emergencies, critical incidents, and student-related concerns.
Strong financial and operational management skills, including budget administration, resource stewardship, occupancy planning, facilities coordination, assessment, and continuous process improvement.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
Experience leading housing operations at a mid- to large-sized institution, including oversight of residence hall construction, renovation, or major capital projects.
Experience leading or supporting residence hall renovation, capital improvement, or new construction projects.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, assessment, and data-informed decision-making in a residential life context.
Experience supporting student success, persistence, and retention initiatives in residential environments.
Familiarity with emergency response protocols and crisis management in a residential setting.
Comprehensive knowledge of student development theory and best practices in residential education.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for residence life, including housing assignments, student services, facilities management, budgeting, marketing, and summer housing programs.
Collaborate with university departments, including Facilities, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, IT, and University Police, to coordinate services and align work with institutional goals.
Oversee hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, and professional development for professional, administrative, and student staff.
Lead crisis response and student support, including on-call coverage, emergency preparedness, and coordination with health, conduct, and Title IX offices.
Direct departmental planning and assessment, including policy development, occupancy forecasting, marketing strategy, and evaluation of student satisfaction and learning outcomes.
Represent housing in housing master planning, major renovations, capital improvements, and future residential construction initiatives.