Director of Housing and Residence Life

University of Arkansas System

About The Position

Position Summary The Director of Housing and Residence Life provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all aspects of UAM’s residential communities. The Director is responsible for fostering safe, welcoming, and engaging living-learning environments that support student success, retention, and holistic development. This role integrates housing operations, residential education, student conduct, crisis response, and compliance while advancing the mission and student-centered priorities of the University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred, preferably in higher education, student personnel, or social or behavioral sciences.
Three to five years of experience as a live-in, and/or professional staff member in a college or university residence life program required.
Direct supervisory experience in a residence life setting strongly preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of the role of residence life in student engagement, retention, persistence, and success.
Knowledge of student conduct processes, crisis response, FERPA, and higher education compliance.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage complex situations with professionalism, fairness, and a student-centered approach.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Star Rez housing management system and data-informed decision making.
Demonstrated commitment to welcoming excellence, student development, and holistic learning.
Ability to collaborate effectively across divisions and with external partners.
Experience serving in conduct, Title IX, or BIT-related roles.

Responsibilities

Direct the overall administration of the University’s housing and residence life programs, including residential education, facilities operations, staffing, and student support services.
Provide leadership in the development and delivery of intentional, holistic educational and social programming that promotes student engagement, belonging, leadership development, and personal growth.
Serve as a key member of the Student Engagement leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, assessment, and institutional initiatives.
Directly oversee facility operations within the residential program, including maintenance coordination, custodial services, key management, condition reporting and inventory control, life-cycle planning, and opening and closing of residence halls.
Collaborate with Facilities Management and other campus partners to ensure safe, well-maintained, and functional residential facilities.
Ensure compliance with safety standards, emergency procedures, and operational protocols.
Serve as a student conduct officer for violations occurring within the residential community, ensuring consistent, fair, and educational application of residence life and University policies.
Facilitate the reporting of student conduct complaints by individuals, departments, and organizations.
Conduct preliminary investigations by interviewing students and witnesses and reviewing physical and documentary evidence.
Adjudicate individual student conduct cases through administrative hearings or reviews, or refer matters to alternative conflict resolution processes as appropriate.
Provide training for University hearing officers, hearing boards, and residence life staff responsible for administering the student conduct system.
Offer alternate forms of dispute resolution when appropriate and serve as an advisor regarding complex legal and regulatory issues in higher education.
Coordinate the University’s response to student-related emergency situations and ensure compliance with FERPA.
Lead the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of professional and student staff, including residence hall directors and student leaders.
Promote professional development, accountability, and a culture of care, inclusion, and excellence within the Housing and Residence Life team.
Efficiently manage Housing and Residence Life budgets, including forecasting, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability.
Lead efforts to maximize the effectiveness and sustainability of the residence halls as an auxiliary enterprise.
Analyze occupancy trends and implement strategies to support enrollment, retention, and revenue goals.
Effectively manage crisis and emergency situations within the residence halls in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students, University Police, Counseling Services, Health Services, and other campus partners.
Serve as a member of the University Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), contributing to coordinated responses that prioritize student safety, care, and well-being.
Cultivate and expand internal and external partnerships for Student Engagement with faculty, staff, campus departments, and community organizations.
Support and assist with campus-wide programs, initiatives, and major events as defined by the Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students.
Serve as Deputy Title IX Coordinator and/or Title IX Investigator, in consultation with the University’s Title IX Coordinator, for allegations involving student-to-student sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and related training initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement & Dean of Students and/or the Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement.