Bowdoin College

Title Senior Associate Director of Housing Operations

Posting Number S01500JP

Department Residential & Student Life

Job Summary

Are you passionate about creating inclusive, student-centered living experiences? Bowdoin College is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as our Senior Associate Director of Housing Operations. In this pivotal role, you’ll orchestrate the full spectrum of housing logistics—from occupancy planning and room selection to policy development and system administration—all while championing fairness, equity, and belonging.

You’ll be the strategic force behind smooth transitions in and out of campus housing, accurate data reporting, and collaborative partnerships across departments. As part of our integrated residential education model, you’ll work closely with professional and student staff to support co-curricular learning and foster a vibrant residential community.

This role oversees occupancy planning, housing assignments and room selection, housing policies and communications, StarRez system administration, and strategic cross-campus partnerships. The Senior Associate Director ensures smooth openings/closings, accurate data and reporting, and consistent application of processes that support belonging, co-curricular learning, and advance the College’s residential learning goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee all aspects of residential Housing Assignments in the academic year, including first-year placements aligned with Bowdoin’s community model, transfers, housing accommodations with Student Accessibility, and special program placements.
• Serve as the StarRez system administrator, configuring applications and portals, permissions, automations, communications, and reports. Build and maintain dashboards and routine reports on occupancy, demand trends, space utilization, and other key metrics.
• Serve as primary point of contact for students in upperclass housing with challenges; offer kind, caring & predictable support to students problem-solving their housing issues.
• Lead cross-divisional teams to plan, execute and debrief housing transitions including openings, closings, mid-year transitions, early arrivals, and break housing.
• Provide strategic occupancy management by leading annual and term-based forecasting and space planning across residence halls, College Houses, and the off-campus lottery.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $73,500 – $78,000.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
• Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html
• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
• Free fitness and wellness classes!
• And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

Education/Skills Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field preferred. Specialized training in StarRez housing software preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Familiarity with student development theory and crisis management protocols.
• Supervisory skills to hire, train, coach and evaluate professional and/or paraprofessional staff.
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets and report-building.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

A minimum of 4 years experience in residential life, student affairs, or related campus role required. Experience Equivalencies may include multiple years of non-Residential Life experience in higher education along with other significant, comparable professional residential experience, such as: large-scale retreat center housing/operations; residential camp housing/operations & capital planning; or hotel/hospitality experience with residential program components.

Ability to:

• Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive residential environment that supports student learning and personal growth.
• Serve as a first point of contact for student concerns, providing guidance, support, and referrals as needed.
• Plan and execute educational, cultural, and community-building programs in alignment with institutional goals.
• Uphold and communicate college policies while fostering a respectful and accountable community.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies as part of a the student support network
• Collaborate with campus departments (e.g., Counseling, Campus Safety, Student Activities) to support holistic student development.
• Maintain accurate documentation of incidents, programming, and student interactions in accordance with college protocols.
• Navigate sensitive topics with discretion and uphold confidentiality; exercise sound judgment in complex or emotionally charged situations.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

Generally: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. This is a full-time position working 40 hours/52 weeks, (1.00 FTE) with occasional evening or weekends as required during predicted times of year (arrivals, closings & breaks, annually). On Call In the event of residential building-related emergency.

Non-essential student life personnel in a weather emergency.

Candidates able to overlap with incumbent (May – June) may be given preference; start date of May 1, 2026; some flexibility is possible.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements Faculty/Administrative

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? No

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No

Posting Date 11/12/2025

Applications Accepted Until 01/30/2026

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Read Full Description