CSL Housing and Residence Life
The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) carries the core mission of the University to all aspects of life outside the classroom. It enriches the lives of its students, staff, and faculty and academic staff members and contributes to a vibrant, collaborative, and diverse campus community that inspires excellence and sustains the University’s culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous learning. The unit also works to support the overall well-being of students, including their health and safety. This happens in the context of a campus located in a dynamic, thriving city, in which opportunities abound for students to learn from, contribute to, and engage with their urban environment. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of promoting the interests of students in the University, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community, including Athletics & Recreation; the Office of the Bursar; Center for Identity + Inclusion; Center for Leadership and Involvement; Disciplinary Affairs; Housing & Residence Life; International House; Office of International Affairs; Office of the University Registrar; Rockefeller Memorial Chapel; Spiritual Life; Student Centers; Student Disability Services; Student Wellness; UChicago Dining; and UChicago HELP. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 10,500 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 400 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life.

The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park/South Kenwood neighborhood, a racially and economically diverse residential community of 43,000 people on the shores of Lake Michigan, about fifteen minutes south of downtown Chicago.

The core mission of Housing & 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 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.
Reporting to the Executive Director for Housing & Residence Life, the Director of Residence Life oversees the residential life program within Housing & Residence Life. The Director is responsible for the development of residential life; and supporting programmatic efforts of the residential house system. The Director is responsible for the supervision, recruitment, and co-development of the residential staff teams, including 2 Associate Directors, 1 Senior Assistant Director, 6 Assistant Directors of Residence Life, 90 Resident Heads, and 89 Resident Assistants. The Director provides leadership and counsel for professional and paraprofessional staff regarding student conduct, resident staff emergency response, and serves as the primary designate of the Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life regarding student conduct issues. As part of Housing & Residence Life, the Director plays a key role in developing and implementing policy, program planning, and community building and serves as the advisor to the Inter House Council (IHC). They are responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with campus partner offices to strategize and create student life programs and initiatives. This position works closely with UChicago Dining, The College, UChicago CARES, UChicago HELP, Department of Safety and Security (DSS), College Programming & Orientation (CPO), Center for Identity & Inclusion (CII), Student Wellness, Title IX, and Human Resources to accomplish department objectives.

This position actively engages in the administration of seven residence halls housing approximately 4550 undergraduate students. As a member of the Housing and Residence Life senior leadership team, the Director participates in setting and executing residence hall strategic planning, priorities, and resource allocation. The Director works closely with the professional staff within Housing & Residence Life and UChicago Dining in the development and implementation of goals, policies and procedures for the University residence halls. They also work directly with residential faculty and staff in assessing the quality of the residential program, student experience, and management of residence hall policies and procedures.

• Supervises and administers all hall-wide programming efforts. Encourages the development of innovative programs in all areas of Housing & Residence Life. Provides direction to signature programs and House community development. Provides guidance and support to the Assistant Directors of Residence Life in developing strong, intentional programs for students, staff, and faculty.
• Supervises and leads staff by developing programs and initiatives that meet staff professional and technical training needs, provides coaching and guidance, conducts or oversees the annual performance review process, and proactively addresses performance issues as required.
• Works with the Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life and Senior Assistant Director of Residence Life to provide support for the Resident Deans.
• Serves in an on-call capacity to support senior staff emergency response during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Adheres to Campus & Student Life core values, including, but not limited to student development, customer service, collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness, credibility, responsiveness, quality, accountability, professional development, and mutual respect.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of competency-based professional development of the full-time Assistant Director of Residence Life staff, including the management of committee(s) to assist in those processes. Ensures professional and paraprofessional staff display a positive and professional image and that the department responds appropriately to the many publics served (students, parents/families, administrators, etc.). Plans regular (summer and fall) and on-going in-services/trainings; connects staff with associations, conferences, and other external opportunities; and evaluates staff's progress in terms of their professional goals. Provides oversight of Assistant Directors of Residence Life who plan training for Resident Heads and Resident Assistants, including quarterly trainings and in-service opportunities.
• Oversees the hiring process for all resident staff, including Assistant Directors, Resident Head staff, and Resident Assistant staff, including Senior Resident Assistants. Reviews resumes; selects and oversees staff on the selection committees; prepares evaluation materials; and compiles interview notes and conducts reference checks for Human Resources' reporting purposes.
• Contributes to the on-going assessment of department's policies and procedures, such as crisis management and disciplinary action. Participates in the overall planning and management of the residence hall system and provides input in the development of policies and procedures. Participates on task forces, and group goal planning and objective setting.
• Cultivates, coordinates, and assists in the development of student leadership and responsibility through programming and direct involvement with students. Sponsors or assists in sponsorship of programs in residence halls. Advises the Inter House Council (IHC) and represents the department on external and university committees.
• As designated by the Executive Director, serves as the chief student conduct officer for the department. Organizes a neutral and fair appeals process. Addresses student and parent issues arising from student discipline, counseling and crisis related concerns.
• Manages the budget process including budget forecasting, development, and reporting. Participates in departmental, budget, and strategic planning meetings as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Manages the selection, training, and management of the Residential Life team. Participates in the selection of faculty Resident Masters.
• Develops and monitors the undergraduate housing annual budget.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Master's degree in student affairs or a related field.

• Five to seven years of live-in student housing experience, as well as experience working closely with a college student population.
• A minimum of 7 years or relevant work experience in University or other residence life program.
• Experience in handling crises, supervision of staff, and program development.

• Valid Illinois driver’s license upon offer of employment and pass the University’s motor vehicle records process.

• Proficiency in standard office software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, email, etc.); knowledge and experience with a housing information system (e.g. StarRez) and a conduct system (e.g. Maxient).

• Demonstrated strategic leadership skills in a University setting.
• Demonstrated understanding of the developmental and educational objectives of a University residential environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural competence.
• Supervisory skills, demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.
• Highly organized person with well-developed interpersonal and problem-solving skills and work effectively with assertive and/or distressed clientele.
• Attend house and resident staff programs or meetings during evenings and weekends.
• Knowledge of the University of Chicago, Hyde Park community, or the higher education field.
• Work with a diverse range of students, staff and faculty, and managers across the campus.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and listening skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Work both independently with a high degree of initiative and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Thoughtful and innovative problem-solving skills.
• Budget management skills.
• Remain attentive to details, organized and productive while handling multiple concurrent tasks, and during high demand periods.
• Remain calm, professional, and productive while interacting with individuals displaying intense emotions.
• Respond promptly, directly, and effectively to internal and external inquiries and requests for service while managing competing demands.
• Significant knowledge of the higher education profession and climate.

• Work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• The standard work week is Monday through Friday with expectations for evening and weekend work typical of a senior student affairs leader responsible for the residence life program.
• Available for consultation after-hours, weekends, and holidays; and immediately available on-campus for emergency response, as needed.
• Work is largely sedentary; sit in front of computer for extended periods; regular attendance, including on evenings and weekends.
• Travel to various on-campus locations.
• Use computers and standard office equipment.
• Assume on-call responsibility for campus residence halls.
• May be asked to provide and use own vehicle insured in accordance with University requirements.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

Student Affairs & Services
People Manager
Exempt
Monthly
37.5
Yes
No
No
Yes