Program Manager of The Forest, Residence Life and Housing

Wake Forest University•Winston-Salem, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager of The Forest is a key member of the Residence Life and Housing team responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive living environment within the residential communities. The Program Manager works closely with other professionals in the department in the administration and management of a comprehensive residence life and housing program serving over 4,000 students. The Forest program is foundational to the residential experience with a broad-reaching arm through the residential experience of all Wake Forest students. The Program Manager provides key support for residential academic initiatives that foster a vibrant and supportive learning and living environment for all residential students. In collaboration with residential life staff, Faculty Fellows, and campus partners, the Program Manager helps advance The Forest’s goals for all residential student development and engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Experience working in a residential life or student affairs setting.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in community development.
Ability to create and implement engaging programming initiatives.
Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within a community context.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends as needed.
Ability to interpret policy and procedures established within Residence Life and Housing.
Ability to communicate with a variety of constituents, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to organize workflow and coordinate projects within the office and with other departments.
Ability to problem solve, critically think and analyze complex issues while effectively planning and organizing work.
Ability to articulate the role that residence halls play in supporting retention at the University.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree with a concentration in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Facilities Management, or related field.
A minimum of 1-3 years of full-time experience working in Housing and Residential Programs (Residence Life), Student Activities, or other position working closely with students in a university setting.
Demonstrated ability in program development, management, and assessment knowledge and skills.
Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of concepts of college student development.
Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff members.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
Experience in planning and implementing meaningful learning experiences with faculty and students.
Ability to work well under pressure with multiple and changing deadlines.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary support in the day-to-day management of The Forest initiative.
Collaboratively work to create an inclusive and supportive community within The Forest by developing and implementing community house-based initiatives and programming.
Together with Faculty Fellows and other academic leadership, support faculty in promoting academic and intellectual engagement in The Forest.
Actively oversee, track, and reconcile The Forest budget, including but not limited to programming and meals, and maintaining documentation.
Assist community house teams with budget and resource allocation for The Forest and other academic programmatic initiatives.
Provide training and purchasing card support to Faculty Fellows, Community Directors, and graduate student staff.
Regularly collaborate with community house leadership, Residence Life and Housing staff, faculty and staff affiliates, and students residing within The Forest.
Recruit, train, and supervise a team of Graduate Assistants who support house team initiatives within The Forest.
Provide ongoing support, professional development, and mentorship to the staff members.
Facilitate regular staff meetings, team-building activities, and training sessions to ensure cohesive and effective teamwork.
Collaborate with the Residence Life and Housing Assistant Director of Operations and Campus Life Marketing and Communications to support marketing efforts that promote The Forest’s identity, programs, and initiatives across residential communities.
Maintain strong communication channels with residents, staff, and faculty stakeholders.
Communicate effectively through various channels, such as email, newsletters, and social media platforms.
Fulfill central office duty on a rotating basis as assigned during the academic year and weekly duty during the summer months.
Collaborate with campus partners to deliver cross-functional programs and initiatives that align with the broader goals of the institution.
Utilize data to inform program development, evaluate impact, and guide continuous improvement of The Forest.
Develop and support the community engagement model in alignment of The Forest's outcomes.
Reconcile monthly meal plan usage for faculty and staff, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of allocations and expenditures.