Senior Associate Director, Residence Life

Penn State University•University Park, IL

3d•$81,312 - $122,016

About The Position

The Senior Associate Director of Residence Life provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for designated areas within Penn State’s comprehensive, multi-campus Residence Life program, which serves 20,000 residential students and 350 student leaders. The role supports residential communities that promote student success, wellbeing, and belonging through professional staff supervision, student support practices, and collaboration with campus and divisional partners. As a member of the Residence Life leadership team, the Senior Associate Director works with Housing and Food Services, Student Affairs departments, Commonwealth Campus leadership, and University Park partners to support high-quality residential environments and student-centered operations. The position provides leadership for crisis response, organizational initiatives, human resource development, student support systems, and operational effectiveness across residential campuses and designated functional areas. The position requires a master’s degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience, including at least three years of supervisory experience. It requires participation in an on-call rotation and the ability to be on site within 45 minutes. The position requires specified Pennsylvania and federal clearances, a valid driver’s license, and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check. Penn State does not sponsor employment visas; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

Master’s degree.
At least 10 years of relevant experience.
At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
Must participate in an on-call duty rotation and be able to be on site within 45 minutes.
Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check.
Successful completion of a PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, in addition to applicable background checks.
Must be authorized to work in the United States; Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated professional staff supervisory experience.
Proven crisis management experience.
Strong time management, administrative, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as the department-wide point of contact for residential conduct and the primary liaison to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
Meet regularly with campus partners, including University Police, Housing, the CARE Team, and specialists supporting students and their identities.
Monitor and update the electronic climate report system and Maxient.
Update residence hall policies related to the Student Code of Conduct, Housing Contract, and University policy.
Handle student emergencies and crisis response, including participation in the department’s weekday and weekend on-call rotation.
Support faculty and student involvement initiatives and advise student organizations representing residential students and student leaders.
Support student success, wellbeing, belonging, restorative practices, and staff and student recruitment and retention.
Supervise two Associate Directors, a Senior Assistant Director for Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and a Conduct and Care Case Manager.
Plan and facilitate staff meetings, evaluate direct reports’ performance, and provide department-wide support and training for paraprofessional and professional staff.
Assist the Senior Director in setting the department’s overall direction and developing and implementing residence hall program goals, policies, guidelines, and procedures.
Maintain effective working relationships with university departments outside Student Affairs, including Housing and Food Services.
Lead and oversee key strategic priorities and participate in a leadership team managing a $17 million budget.
Collaborate with senior staff on student-success initiatives, including living-learning communities, residential curriculum, and peer-to-peer student leadership programming.
Represent Residence Life on the CARE Team and in operational and strategic meetings.
Attend and co-facilitate new staff mentor sessions.
Use Residence Life and Student Affairs assessment results to evaluate department effectiveness and implement appropriate student programs and services.
Respond to student emergencies and inquiries from higher-level staff, faculty, parents, and the press.
Represent Residence Life in construction and renovation planning and building and office-space committees.
Serve on University and Student Affairs committees and perform other duties as assigned.