Overnight Desk Manager

University of Chicago • Hyde Park, IL

16d • $28 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of Housing and Residence Life is to help develop and support inclusive communities that engage residents in exceptional living experiences within secure and well-maintained environments that foster a sense of belonging and support the academic initiatives of the University. The primary strategy for the delivery of such an environment is through a residence life program that which aims to develop strong residential communities that are self-regulating, supportive of academic success; provide a strong sense of belonging, and rich opportunities for personal, cultural, social and intellectual development. The leadership of residential faculty and adult staff in fostering these experiences is key to the success of the mission. The Overnight Desk Manager (ODM) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, security, and operational continuity of Housing and Residence Life during overnight hours. This position provides direct oversight and support for the 10 front desks across the residential portfolio, serving as the primary point of contact for overnight desk operations, emergency response coordination, and safety-related concerns. The ODM partners closely with the Assistant and Associate Directors for Desk and Mail Operations, Facilities Services, and live-in residential staff and faculty to ensure 24/7 desk coverage, adherence to safety protocols, and timely response to incidents that impact residents and staff. The ODM works primarily nights, evenings, and weekends, providing overnight leadership presence and critical support in managing urgent operational and security-related issues when other administrative offices are closed.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Supervising staff.
• Valid driver's license upon offer of employment.
• Pass the University's motor vehicle records process.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Learn a range of position-related software applications.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills; ability to serve a diverse population with tact, courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Ability to maintain calm and professional demeanor and remain productive under heavy workloads, competing priorities, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
• Ability to use appropriate resources to resolve an issue effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow an issue through to resolution.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum supervision, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Ability to take initiative, organize and complete projects with minimal oversight.
• Flexibility to work non-standard hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary overnight contact for staffing issues, including desk clerk call-offs, emergency shift coverage, and time-off-related scheduling needs.
• Ensures 3:00–11:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. shifts are filled and appropriately documented in the Kronos scheduling system.
• Maintains and updates administrative records in StarRez, including key code records following lock changes, and conducts routine audits of checked-out keys, radios, and other safety equipment.
• Provide oversight of overnight desk clerks and compliance of residence hall procedures related to hall security when residence halls are open - checking and verifying student and staff ID's and verifying guest registration.
• Keep appropriate staff appraised of any and all emergencies and respond to residence hall situations that might involve policy violations, emergencies and other community concerns.
• Conducts periodic walk-throughs of desk areas to monitor overnight operations, support front desk staff, and ensure compliance with safety protocols and expectations.
• Monitors and enforces compliance with all desk clerk training requirements, emergency response procedures, and policies outlined in the Desk Clerk Manual.
• Coordinates closely with Facilities Services, UCPD, and professional live-in staff to triage overnight incidents, including building emergencies, security concerns, and student wellness issues.
• Serves as the overnight liaison for escalating safety risks or unusual activity, ensuring documentation and follow-up occurs in partnership with campus safety and residential leadership.
• Supports emergency response coordination during after-hours incidents by deploying to the scene, facilitating communication, or providing logistical backup to housing or university response teams.
• Prepare special reports and summaries, assists in managing daily operation of the office, and may assist in developing administrative goals and policies.
• Maintains the leader's calendar.
• Coordinates special projects as directed by the leader.
• Prepares write ups for recommendations for operational and administrative problems.
• Manages a portion of the leader's budget, monitoring and reconciling accounts.
• Prepares financial and/or administrative reports.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as needed to enhance overnight safety and support functions.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees