Director of Residence Life

Ursinus College • Collegeville, PA

7d

About The Position

The Director of Residence Life serves as a transformative leader who shapes the residential experience at Ursinus College, where the majority of our students live on campus throughout their four-year journey. This pivotal role reports directly to the Vice Provost for Campus Life/Chief Student Affairs Officer/Dean of Students and holds significant influence in creating vibrant, inclusive living-learning communities that embody the College's commitment to applied experiential learning. The Director orchestrates a comprehensive residential program that seamlessly integrates with our innovative APEX (Applied Professional Experiential) learning ecosystem, ensuring students develop essential life skills while building meaningful connections in their campus home. As a senior member of the Campus Life Leadership Team and crisis response team, the Director helps develop and implement practices that define the Ursinus residential experience.
Ursinus College was just recognized as a “Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs” ACPA institution. The College is proud of this formal reflection of the top-notch collaboration, visionary leadership, and impactful work of the Student Affairs division.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field
• 7-10 years of progressive professional experience in residence life or student affairs with demonstrated leadership impact
• Previous success implementing a residential curriculum or learning-centered approach
• Demonstrated expertise in student development theory and practice
• Proven ability to design and assess learning-centered residential programs
• Comprehensive understanding of current trends and best practices in residence life
• Experience responding to and managing complex student incidents and crises
• Exceptional administrative acumen, including budget management and strategic planning
• Proficiency with housing management software and student information systems
• Cultivation of a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment
• Visionary approach to creating transformative residential communities
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships with students, staff, faculty, families, and administration
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities
• Creative problem-solving orientation with a student-centered mindset
• Ability to lead with both compassion and accountability

Nice To Haves

• Experience at a residential liberal arts institution preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Cultivate a dynamic, student-centered residential life team by recruiting, mentoring, and empowering three Assistant Directors, an operations coordinator, and senior student leaders
• Design and implement transformative professional development opportunities for student resident advisors.
• Foster a culture of innovation, positivity, accountability, and excellence within the Residence Life department
• Develop and implement a residential curriculum that serves as a cornerstone of the APEX learning ecosystem, creating seamless connections between classroom learning and residential experiences
• Champion inclusive community-building initiatives that prepare students for local and global engagement
• Collaborate with academic partners to develop signature residential learning experiences that distinguish Ursinus's approach to holistic student development
• Oversee comprehensive housing operations for approximately 1,300 resident students across traditional halls and the residential village (houses)
• Direct mission-critical processes including housing selection, room assignments, move-in/move-out logistics, and residential facility management
• Partner with Information Technology and Residence Life operations coordinator to administer the StarRez housing software, leveraging technology to enhance residential operations and student experience
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to residential challenges while managing complex budgets and resources
• Lead crisis response efforts as part of the senior staff duty rotation, demonstrating sound judgment and compassionate leadership during emergencies
• Provide case management for students of concern, coordinating resources and interventions for students facing emotional and behavioral challenges
• Design proactive wellness initiatives that support student thriving and resilience in the residential context
• Serve as a key strategic partner in advancing institutional priorities through the residential experience
• Collaborate with campus partners to integrate the APEX learning ecosystem throughout residential programming
• Contribute to the development of forward-thinking student affairs policies and practices
• Represent Residence Life in campus-wide initiatives and committee

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director