Residential Life Manager

National Louis University • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Life Manager is responsible for the daily operations, oversight, and quality assurance of residential living within the PACE program. This role provides direct supervision and leadership to the Residential Life Assistants (RLAs), serving as the key point of communication and coordination between the Assistant Director and residential staff. The Residential Life Manager ensures that RLAs are effectively implementing residential support, maintaining operational standards, and providing consistent student supervision and guidance across living environments. This position manages a caseload of students and oversees the delivery, scheduling, and documentation of Independent Living Services (ILS) sessions during the 30-week academic year. The manager ensures that service delivery meets program expectations, residential policies, and student support needs.
During the summer session, the Residential Life Manager collaborates with the Recruitment Manager to oversee the Summer Experience Program and other Path to PACE initiatives, ensuring operational continuity when students are not in the academic session. Operational responsibilities during the academic year also include an on-call component, such as: Carrying the weekend emergency phone and responding promptly to student or staff issues. Adjusting RLA schedules and ensuring adequate staffing coverage. Serving as the primary contact for emergencies, coordinating communication with families and internal/external support partners, and following established response procedures. Reviewing and managing weekend incident reports and behavioral concerns, determining next steps and ensuring proper documentation per policy.
The Residential Life Manager ensures consistent structure, safety, and service delivery across residential operations year-round. This is a full-time, 12-month position with weekday and weekend on-call responsibilities during the academic term. The position is based at the University Center Chicago, with midday, evening, and some Saturday hours required. Some work at the NLU Chicago campus may also be required for staff meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Service or related field.
• Three (3+) years of experience working with young adults, particularly in life skills development, student affairs, residential or recreational programs, counseling, or teaching, including supporting individuals with disabilities. Demonstrated ability to mentor, supervise staff, and manage program operations effectively.
• A strong belief that students with disabilities can be successful and learn to be independent.
• Self-starter who can work with flexible hours and time schedule

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day residential operations for PACE students, ensuring consistent implementation of independent living expectations, policy adherence, accurate documentation, resource coordination, scheduling, and adequate staffing coverage within the residential environment.
• Provides direct supervision and guidance to Residential Life Assistants (RLAs), ensuring staff performance meets program standards. Conducts performance monitoring, coaching, and accountability in areas such as apartment upkeep, budgeting, meal preparation, cleaning, shopping routines, and roommate dynamics.
• Manages a caseload of students and oversees the delivery, scheduling, and documentation of Independent Living Services (ILS) during the 30-week academic year, ensuring residential support aligns with program policies and student needs.
• Carries the required weekend on-call phone during the 30-week academic session and responds to urgent student or staff concerns, coordinates communication with families and internal/external partners, documents incidents, and ensures appropriate follow-through in accordance with emergency protocols.
• Collaborates with the Recruitment Manager to support the Summer Experience Program and Path to PACE initiatives when students are not in the academic session, ensuring continuity of residential operations.
• Serves as the lead member of the residential team, coordinating and facilitating staff meetings, conducting regular progress and performance meetings with Residential Life Assistants (RLAs), and providing guidance, support, and oversight as their Residential Life Manager. Ensures consistent communication, accountability, and alignment with program goals across the residential staff.
• Evaluates residential student assessments to track progress, identify needs, and guide individualized support plans.
• Expected to actively participate in all leadership meetings, NLU-wide meetings, and other institutional or program-related responsibilities as they arise, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and contributing to strategic planning and decision-making.

Benefits

• NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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