Housing Administrative Coordinator (HR Title: Coordinator 1)

Southern Methodist University • Dallas, TX

64d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Housing Administrative Coordinator is a pivotal member of the Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH) team, providing comprehensive administrative, customer service, and project management support across a wide range of housing services. This role is responsible for managing front office operations, ensuring efficient departmental communication and workflow, responding to complex student inquiries, coordinating department-wide projects, and supporting the execution of key initiatives that directly impact the student experience and operational effectiveness. The position requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with campus partners. The Housing Administrative Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for current and prospective students, families, faculty, and staff and must deliver high-quality customer service while maintaining professionalism.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of administrative or student services experience, preferably in a university housing or student affairs setting, is required.
• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills and provide exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office, student information systems and other administrative software is essential.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supervising student employees or graduate assistants is a plus.
• Candidate familiarity with ID card/access systems and data security practices is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the RLSH front office and area desks, ensuring an organized, professional, and welcoming environment. Serve as the first point of contact for students, parents, and campus partners-triaging inquiries via phone, email, and in person. Manage the ID card system and coordinate logistical processes related to access and security.
• Provide expert, frontline customer service to a diverse student population, handling sensitive issues with discretion. Address and resolve routine and escalated housing concerns; refer complex issues to appropriate staff with accurate documentation. Follow-up communication to ensure issue resolution and student satisfaction. Support students and families with housing processes and procedures.
• Coordinate and implement large-scale and high-impact departmental projects with minimal supervision. Assist in the development and execution of strategic initiatives for housing services. Monitor project timelines, task completion, communication, and project evaluation. Assist with data management and operational analysis to inform decision-making. Collaborate with campus partners.
• Supervise the Graduate Assistant for Housing Services and oversee hiring, training, and scheduling RLSH Ambassadors (student receptionist team)/Desk Student Staff. Develop and deliver comprehensive onboarding and ongoing training for RLSH Ambassadors/Desk Student Staff. Provide mentorship, feedback, and performance evaluation to foster student staff professional development.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for housing-related events such as move-in, orientation, housing fairs, and information sessions. Participate in cross-functional workgroups or committees as needed to support the goals of the department and the Division of Student Affairs.
• Serve as a Remote Essential staff member during modified operations or emergency situations. Complete special projects and other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Housing Services or department leadership

Benefits

• SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
• SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
• Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees