27-25 Director of Housing Operations (Manager 190)

West Chester University•West Chester University, PA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Join a vibrant equity-minded campus whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. The Office of Enrollment Management invites applicants for the position of Director of Housing Operations (Manager 190). West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities. Reporting directly to the Senior Associate Vice President of Housing Operations, the Director of Housing Operations is primarily responsible for leading marketing, leasing, and housing assignment for the WCU-managed on-campus housing portfolio including assisting with facilities-related concerns. The incumbent develops and executes data-informed marketing, leasing, and operational strategies to maximize occupancy across four traditional-style buildings, two apartment communities, and a modular housing community, manages the full assignment process from application through placement, and delivers a seamless, service-oriented experience for prospective, new, and returning residents. Serving as a key operational leader, the Director connects housing performance directly to the university's enrollment and revenue objectives. Working in close partnership with Admissions, Public Relations, and Residence Life, the Director aligns housing outreach and occupancy targets with the institution's broader recruitment and retention goals. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, functional expertise, and excellent project management skills. This person is collaborative, intently communicative, and works independently in a fast-paced, high volume, deadline driven, and team orientated environment. The candidate will leverage their experience and expertise to the organization’s processes and architecture whilst ensuring adherence to established industry standards and national best practices across all functions. This person may be expected to occasionally work night and weekend promoting programs and events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, Finance, Marketing, or a closely related field
A minimum of four years of full-time professional experience in the student housing industry, marketing, and occupancy management
Experience fostering external research collaborations
Demonstrated knowledge of operational and financial management practices
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in writing & verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents
Experience leading and supervising professional staff of different levels
A minimum of 3 years of experience using the StarRez housing management software

Nice To Haves

Experience leading project teams; and/or
Experience mentoring students staff; and/or
Leadership experience managing housing occupancy or housing operations at a higher education institution

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, planning, development, and implementations of all short- and long-term initiatives for housing operations
Responsible for recommending strategies, processes, and procedures that directly impact and support Enrollment management objectives focused on but not limited to residential requirements, occupancy management, assignment processes, room selection, room changes, special program needs, accounting and auditing, withdrawals and refunds, marketing and communications, and assessment of student satisfaction of the housing signup process for new and returning student populations
Direct policy and all business practices related to the application, billing and payment, and housing assignments for approximately 2300 students who reside in on-campus WCU housing
Oversee and attend Accepted Students Days, typically 2 Saturdays, held in the spring, Orientations, and other events as needed to showcase and promote WCU housing. Some weekends are required.
Provide direction and training to Housing Operations staff, Residence Life staff, and other departments as needed on all occupancy-related processes, such as room changes, consolidation, and extended housing
Communicate with students, parents, and families, about overall housing process
Create and maintain housing dashboard and conducts occupancy assessment
Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders – Admissions, Dining Services, athletics, special programs in an effort to stay competitive and manages requests for building/bed usage
Supervise assigned staff which includes the Assistant Director for Housing Occupancy and a administrative assistant
Responsible for managing unique situations that require the development of new approaches to problem solving to address the concerns of parents, families, and students related to their housing assignment, charge assessment, and living experience
Responsible for assisting the Senior Associate Vice President of Housing Operations with facilities-related concerns to ensure our students receive the best customer service
Meal plan management
Perform other duties as assigned