Director of Residence Life Jobs

Department

CSL North Campus Community Life

About the Department

The University of Chicago is one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) is a division comprised of 20 departments that serve the University’s 17,000 college, graduate, and professional school students, as well as the campus community more broadly. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of supporting all students in the University, graduate and undergraduate, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community. CSL’s programs and services focus on supporting student academic success, providing opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, developing community and engagement through the residential housing and dining program, and in areas such as artistic expression, community service, spiritual exploration, and athletic competition. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 300 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 that 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.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Residence Life, the Assistant Director of Residence Life (ADRL) provides leadership and management for an assigned portfolio of residential communities while leading a designated Residence Life functional area. The ADRL directly supervises assigned Community Directors and Resident Heads, partners closely with Resident Deans, provides higher-level consultation and decision-making for complex student and community matters, manages assigned resources and operational priorities, and leads department-wide projects and initiatives.

Assistant Directors are assigned primary responsibility for one of four functional areas: Training & Development; Student Leadership & Engagement; Residential Learning & Assessment; or Recruitment & Selection. Functional assignments are determined by departmental priorities, organizational needs, and the skills and experience of the Assistant Director team and may change over time. ADRLs are expected to collaborate across functional areas, contribute to department-wide initiatives, and provide leadership or interim support in other areas as needed.

The ADRL participates in a 24-hour on-call rotation and routinely supports evening and weekend responsibilities. The role requires sound judgment, effective communication, consistent follow-through, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across staff supervision, student support, community leadership, operations, and departmental initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Supervision and Staff Leadership:
• Directly supervise assigned Community Directors and Resident Heads, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, accountability, performance management, evaluation, and professional development.
• Establish clear expectations for assigned staff, monitor performance and follow-through, address concerns in a timely manner, and recognize opportunities for continued growth and development.
• Support Community Directors in effectively supervising, developing, and holding Resident Assistants accountable for departmental and community expectations.
• Provide coaching and direction to Resident Heads in their leadership of House communities, partnership with Resident Assistants, and fulfillment of departmental and University expectations.
• Lead regular staff communication and team development for assigned residential communities, ensuring that priorities, expectations, emerging concerns, and follow-up responsibilities are clearly communicated.
• Partner with the Resident Dean to identify a consistent biweekly meeting time and co-lead residential leadership team meetings, including agenda development, facilitation, problem-solving, coordination, and follow-through.
• Provide higher-level consultation to Community Directors and Resident Heads regarding complex student, staff, community, and operational matters, intervening when concerns require Assistant Director-level leadership.
• Participate as an active decision-maker in the recruitment and selection of assigned residential staff, working collaboratively with hiring teams to evaluate candidates and make selection decisions and consulting with Resident Deans throughout the process, as appropriate.
• Participate in staff onboarding, training, evaluation, retention, and transition planning and foster a staff culture grounded in communication, accountability, professional growth, collaboration, and student-centered practice.
• Residential Community Leadership:
• Provide leadership and oversight for an assigned portfolio of residential communities, monitoring community climate, student engagement, staff effectiveness, and emerging needs.
• Partner with Resident Deans, Resident Heads, Community Directors, Resident Assistants, and campus colleagues to support inclusive, engaging, and well-functioning House and residence hall communities.
• Support intellectual, cultural, social, and leadership development opportunities that strengthen student connection and the residential experience.
• Identify patterns, concerns, and opportunities across assigned communities and determine appropriate interventions, resources, or escalation in collaboration with Residence Life leadership and campus partners.
• Ensure that Community Directors and Resident Heads are effectively communicating and responding to community needs and that appropriate follow-through occurs.
• Support the implementation of departmental priorities and Resident Dean initiatives within assigned communities.
• Student Care, Crisis Response, and Conduct:
• Provide higher-level consultation and decision-making regarding complex student care concerns, coordinating appropriate non-clinical support, referrals, documentation, and follow-up with Community Directors and campus partners.
• Participate in the ADRL on-call rotation, providing leadership during critical incidents involving student health, safety, conduct, facilities, and community concerns.
• While serving on call, partner with the Dean-on-Call program and other campus responders to coordinate support for students in need, determine appropriate Residence Life response and escalation, and ensure timely documentation and follow-up.
• Provide consultation to Community Directors, Resident Heads, and Resident Assistants during complex or high-impact incidents and determine when additional departmental or University leadership should be engaged.
• Ensure significant incidents are appropriately documented, communicated, and transitioned for follow-up and that outstanding student or community needs are addressed.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support coordinated responses to students of concern and other complex situations.
• Support the consistent application of community standards and departmental expectations and provide consultation on conduct-related matters within assigned communities.
• Resident Dean and Residential Partnership:
• Partner with Resident Deans to align residential experiences with the academic, intellectual, cultural, and community-building goals of assigned residential communities.
• Facilitate coordination among Resident Deans, Resident Heads, Community Directors, and other Residence Life partners when issues or initiatives require shared planning, communication, or response.
• Collaborate with Resident Deans on residential staff recruitment and selection, staff development, community priorities, and other matters requiring consultation or shared decision-making.
• Support the implementation of Resident Dean initiatives and identify opportunities to connect House-level priorities with broader Residence Life goals.
• Budget and Resource Management:
• Manage assigned Residence Life budgets and monitor expenditures to ensure alignment with departmental priorities, University policies, and approved funding purposes.
• Provide oversight of assigned Resident Head and residential programming expenditures, including reviewing transactions and monitoring the timely submission of receipts and required supporting documentation.
• Review financial activity for completeness and accuracy, identify discrepancies, missing documentation, or unusual expenditures, and initiate appropriate follow-up when transactions or spending patterns require clarification.
• Ask appropriate follow-up questions and work with Resident Heads, Community Directors, and departmental partners to resolve outstanding financial documentation or compliance concerns.
• Partner with the Budget operations staff to reconcile outstanding issues, monitor assigned resources, and ensure appropriate documentation and follow-through.
• Residential Operations and Cross-Functional Management:
• Partner with Operations, Occupancy Management and Administration, and other Housing & Residence Life teams to support the effective operation of assigned residential communities.
• Monitor operational concerns across assigned communities, ensure appropriate escalation and follow-through by Community Directors, and intervene when issues require Assistant Director-level coordination or cross-functional resolution.
• Support residential opening, closing, room transitions, and other department-wide operational priorities, ensuring assigned staff understand expectations, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Coordinate communication and follow-up when facilities, occupancy, safety, or operational issues affect students, staff, or residential communities.
• Utilize departmental systems, including Maxient, StarRez, Roompact, and other platforms, to support documentation, communication, assessment, and assigned administrative responsibilities.
• Identify recurring operational concerns or process gaps and elevate recommendations for improvement to Residence Life leadership and appropriate departmental partners.
• Assessment, Policy, and Continuous Improvement:
• Use departmental data, assessment findings, staff feedback, and community trends to inform decision-making, staff development, programming, student support, and operational strategies.
• Establish and monitor goals for assigned areas of responsibility and evaluate progress, effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to the development, review, and refinement of Residence Life policies, procedures, programs, and practices.
• Interpret, communicate, and support the consistent implementation of departmental policies, procedures, and expectations across assigned residential communities and staff teams.
• Identify gaps, emerging needs, and opportunities for improvement and develop recommendations or implementation strategies in collaboration with Residence Life leadership.
• Support departmental assessment, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Primary Functional Area:
• In addition to residential community leadership responsibilities, each Assistant Director is assigned primary leadership for one of the functional areas below. Functional assignments may change based on departmental priorities, organizational needs, and the strengths and experience of the Assistant Director team.
• Training & Development:
• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of annual and ongoing training and professional development for residential staff, including Resident Assistants and Resident Heads.
• Establish training priorities and learning outcomes; develop curriculum, resources, facilitation materials, and continuing development opportunities in collaboration with Residence Life leadership, Community Directors, and campus partners.
• Coordinate training logistics and implementation and use assessment data, participant feedback, emerging needs, and professional best practices to strengthen staff onboarding, training, and ongoing professional learning.
• Student Leadership & Engagement:
• Lead departmental strategies and initiatives that strengthen student leadership, engagement, belonging, and participation within the residential experience.
• Advise and support residential student leadership structures, including the Inter-House Council, and develop leadership education, training, and resources responsive to the needs of residential students.
• Partner with residential staff and campus colleagues to identify engagement needs, strengthen leadership opportunities, and assess the effectiveness of departmental engagement initiatives.
• Residential Learning & Assessment:
• Lead the integration of residential learning outcomes, educational strategies, and assessment practices across Residence Life programs and initiatives.
• Develop and coordinate assessment efforts that measure student learning, engagement, community experience, and program effectiveness.
• Analyze and communicate findings to departmental stakeholders and translate assessment results into recommendations for program, policy, training, and practice improvements.
• Recruitment & Selection:
• Lead comprehensive recruitment and selection strategies for Residence Life staff positions, supporting effective, consistent, and equitable processes.
• Coordinate recruitment timelines, candidate engagement, selection committees, evaluation processes, and related communication in partnership with Residence Life leadership and campus partners.
• Assess recruitment and selection outcomes, identify opportunities to strengthen candidate pipelines and processes, and support effective onboarding and transition of newly selected staff.
• Departmental Leadership and Administration:
• Serve as a member of the Residence Life leadership team, contributing to departmental decision-making, strategic planning, policy development, problem-solving, and implementation of departmental priorities.
• Lead assigned department-wide projects and initiatives, establishing timelines, coordinating stakeholders, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely implementation and follow-through.
• Participate in and, as assigned, lead departmental meetings, committees, functional areas, working groups, and strategic initiatives.
• Identify emerging operational, staffing, and student experience needs and work with Residence Life leadership to determine and implement appropriate responses.
• Maintain timely and effective communication with campus partners, Resident Deans, Resident Heads, Community Directors, student staff, and departmental colleagues.
• Maintain accurate records and complete required documentation, reporting, approvals, and follow-up.
• Represent Housing & Residence Life on departmental, divisional, or University committees and initiatives as assigned.
• Provide cross-functional leadership and interim support when vacancies, emerging priorities, operational needs, or organizational changes require additional Assistant Director-level capacity.
• Summer Leadership and Special Assignments:
• Provide leadership and support for assigned summer responsibilities, including undergraduate summer housing, summer conference support, residential transitions, and preparation for the upcoming academic year in collaboration with departmental partners.
• Lead and participate in assigned summer committees, workgroups, functional assignments, and special projects that advance departmental priorities.
• Assume ownership of assigned summer initiatives, establishing timelines and deliverables, coordinating stakeholders, monitoring progress, and ensuring work is completed through implementation.
• Guide and support Community Directors and Resident Heads in carrying out assigned summer responsibilities and operational priorities.
• Participate in the HRL summer duty rotation and provide on-call support as assigned.
• Support policy and process review, staff onboarding, training, recruitment, assessment, operational planning, and other summer projects necessary for a successful academic-year launch.
• Supervises and evaluates the housing/dining system's professional and support staff. Prepares and implements housing and dining assignment policies and procedures.
• Participates in the selection, training, and management of the Residential Life team. Participates in the selection of faculty Resident Masters.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

-

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree. Preferably in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Counseling, Student Affairs, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in residence life, housing, student affairs, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, training, evaluating, and holding staff accountable for performance and expectations.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities, projects, and operational responsibilities with consistent follow-through.
• Experience supervising professional and/or graduate-level staff.
• Experience developing and facilitating training or professional development programs for student and/or professional staff.
• Experience working with faculty in a residential or student affairs environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Experience using Maxient, StarRez, Roompact, or comparable student affairs and housing systems.
• Experience using assessment data to inform program development and continuous improvement.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated understanding of student development and the residential college environment.
• Demonstrated crisis response, decision-making, and student support skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage complex situations, and determine when issues require consultation or escalation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, professional staff, faculty, and campus partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively, give and receive feedback constructively, and adapt to evolving circumstances.
• Ability to participate in a 24-hour on-call environment and routine evening and weekend responsibilities.

Working Conditions

• The typical work week is M-F with routine requirements for evening and weekend work.
• University setting.

Application Documents

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

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$63,750.00 - $78,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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