Director of Student Life Southampton

Stony Brook University•Stony Brook, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Student Affairs at Stony Brook University is a student-focused organization dedicated to empowering student success and supporting personal development. They aim to create, enhance, and sustain a culture of respect and inclusion, focusing on equity and justice in its many forms. The division has been recognized as one of the "Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs" and is ranked highly for fostering student social mobility. The Director of Student Life at Stony Brook Southampton (SBSH) provides strategic leadership, supervision, and oversight for a Residence Hall Director and manages all aspects of residential and student life initiatives for approximately 500 students. This role involves designing, implementing, and assessing programs and services to promote student retention, ease transitions, foster academic success, and encourage community engagement. The Director is crucial in cultivating a safe, inclusive, and supportive residential environment, thereby enriching students' holistic development and overall campus experience. The incumbent must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

Master’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
Five (5) years of full time professional experience in a Student Life environment (e.g. residence halls, student activities, career center, academic advising).
Supervisory experience.
Experience with Microsoft Office and/or Google applications.
Experience working with a diverse student population.
Must have, keep and maintain the appropriate valid NYS Driver’s License; have a motor vehicle record which is free from major violations or a pattern of repeat violations.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Higher Education, Student Personnel or Counseling.
Experience supervising professional staff.
Experience managing budgets.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the recruitment, selection, supervision, and evaluation of professional staff at SBSH.
Cultivate a high performing collaborative team environment by offering consistent mentorship, performance feedback and opportunities for professional growth.
Direct and support the Residence Hall Director and the Housing Administration Manager, and the student staff in all aspects of student and residential life operations at Southampton.
Continuously assess training needs and implement comprehensive staff development programs to ensure excellence in service delivery and alignment with institutional goals.
Provide strategic oversight for area budgets, ensuring effective financial planning and resource allocation for student programming, residential facilities, and student services.
Partner with the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director Stony Brook Southampton to coordinate comprehensive residential support services, fostering a holistic and engaging student experience.
Design, implement, and enforce residential policies and procedures in alignment with university standards, promoting a safe and inclusive living environment.
Lead strategic planning and goal-setting initiatives for Student Life and Residential Education, aligning departmental objectives with institutional priorities.
Direct the planning and execution of summer conference operations and contribute to long-term facilities improvement initiatives to enhance residential infrastructure.
Collaborate regularly with the Associate Director of Conference and Southampton Housing Administration to evaluate and optimize major operational processes, including housing assignments, area office functions, and opening/closing procedures.
Oversee and manage crisis response within the residential community.
Provide 24-hour support to professional and student staff as needed.
Collaborate with university partners to ensure a safe and supportive living environment for students.
Liaison with campus partners in CARE and Student Support Teams alongside the Associate Director of Conference and Southampton Housing Administration on student issues being reported.
Design and facilitate inclusive programs and initiatives that foster a welcoming environment for all students.
Utilize data and student feedback to identify gaps in engagement and implement strategies that build meaningful connections among students.
Promote a sense of community by organizing events that celebrate diversity, encourage peer-to-peer interactions, and create a supportive atmosphere that enhances retention and student satisfaction.
Foster trust and approachability by maintaining a consistent presence in residential halls, student centers, and campus events.
Collaborate with students to co-create experiences that align with their interests and goals, enhancing motivation and involvement.
Assess program effectiveness through qualitative and quantitative measures to continuously improve outcomes and impact.
Establish strong partnerships with academic departments, student affairs offices, and faculty to develop cohesive strategies that support students throughout their academic journey.
Participate in campus committees and working groups focused on student success initiatives.
Share insights and trends with stakeholders to inform institutional decision-making and improve support structures.
Lead the planning and execution of campus-wide initiatives that promote civic responsibility, cultural awareness, and experiential learning.
Manage program logistics, budgets, and assessments while mentoring student leaders involved in planning efforts.
Interpret, implement, and uphold community policies to ensure a safe, inclusive, and respectful residential environment.
Serve as a conduct hearing officer, overseeing student conduct cases and facilitating a fair and transparent appeals process.
Cultivate a residential community aligned with university values, fostering accountability and personal development.
Champion student safety and well-being by proactively enforcing community standards and promoting responsible behavior.
Participate in opportunities that promote your learning, growth, and development (i.e., classes, training, committees, webinars).
Contribute to the Division of Student Affairs and Stony Brook University by attending and/or supporting events, activities, and programs sponsored by areas within and outside of your department/unit (i.e., campus-wide traditions, events, programs).
Perform other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.