Residence Director

Bentley University • Waltham, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Residence Director (RD) is a full-time, live-in professional staff member appointed to a three-year limited-term position. The RD is responsible for the overall administration of one to seven residence halls and supervises undergraduate and graduate Resident Assistants. The role fosters a healthy living and learning environment through programming, counseling, facilities management, staff supervision, policy implementation, and administrative responsibilities. At the conclusion of the initial three-year term, the Residential Center may offer a one-year renewal at its discretion, based on organizational needs, available resources, and satisfactory performance. Renewal beyond the initial term is not guaranteed.

The RD lives in assigned university housing: a fully furnished one- to two-bedroom apartment, with a full meal plan and comprehensive partner and pet policies. These accommodations are provided while the RD remains actively and satisfactorily employed and end when employment ends. The position shares administrator-on-duty responsibilities with seven others during the academic year and requires frequent evening, late-night, and weekend hours. The RD may need to respond to student issues anywhere on campus and must walk hallways and climb stairs in residence halls.

The fixed salary is $59,000 annually. Bentley University describes its total rewards package as including medical, dental, and vision benefits, ample paid time off, tuition remission, a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution for eligible employees, Fridays off in the summer, and on- and off-campus professional development opportunities. The university requires reference checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree with 1–2 years of professional residence life experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of student development theory.
• Effective communication skills, including cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience or interest in working and programming with diverse populations.
• Must live in assigned housing.
• Ability to perform duties that require walking down residence hallways and climbing stairs.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate residence life experience.
• Experience working with specialized student populations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a staff of 9–19 Resident Assistants in designated buildings.
• Participate in the Resident Assistant selection process.
• Train and evaluate Resident Assistants.
• Plan and conduct weekly residence hall staff meetings and meet individually with each staff member every other week.
• Manage the residence hall budget and administer staff programming funds.
• Serve as a BentleyPlus advisor by attending role-specific trainings, facilitating advising sessions, and sending follow-up communications to advisees.
• Administer Resident Assistant programming and advise Residence Hall Councils.
• Serve as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the Office of Student Conduct, Care and Development.
• Mediate roommate conflicts.
• Serve as an Administrator on Duty for crisis and emergency situations during non-business hours and weekends.
• Provide academic and personal counseling to students and make referrals to other offices when appropriate.
• Oversee operational management of designated buildings, including facilitating residence hall openings and closings.
• Conduct regular health and safety inspections and coordinate follow-up on maintenance and housekeeping concerns or requests.
• Work with the Assistant Director of Housing Operations to maintain proper occupancy records and reports.
• Serve on departmental and institutional committees; attend department and area staff meetings, in-service training, and one-on-one meetings with the assigned supervisor.
• Act as a liaison with faculty and appropriate offices, and respond to students and parents regarding Residential Life issues.
• Assist with implementing institutional and departmental goals and objectives.
• Coordinate specific summer projects as assigned by the Director of the Residential Center and/or Assistant Directors of the Residential Center.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Ample paid time off.
• Tuition remission benefit.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution for eligible employees.
• Fridays off in the summer.
• On- and off-campus professional development opportunities.
• Fully furnished one- to two-bedroom apartment, full meal plan, and comprehensive partner and pet policies while actively and satisfactorily employed.

What This Job Offers

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