LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

Position Description & Qualifications

Lawrence University seeks a student-centered and collaborative professional to join our Residential Education & Housing team as the Assistant Director of Residential Education & Housing. As a senior member of the Residential Education team this position will provide leadership and supervision for the Residential Education staff and direction for the development, implementation, and assessment of residential communities with a focus on student learning, academic success, student engagement, leadership development and sense of belonging. The Assistant Director of Residence Life is responsible for the community development and support within the residential halls and will oversee programming and education initiatives for the 20 residential units which house over 1,500 students. This position will oversee Fox Commons, an apartment complex for upper year students and potentially our West Campus residential facility.

Successful candidates will exhibit a strong commitment to student success and delivering exceptional services, striving to enhance the student experience with each interaction. We seek individuals who embrace change, adapt to the evolving landscape of higher education, and are proactive in meeting evolving student needs. The holder of this position will be required to live on-campus. Evening meetings and participation and attendance at programs/activities/events during evening and weekend hours is expected.

Student/Community Development & Engagement

• Work with department staff and students to create and maintain a living and learning environment that supports the mission of the Lawrence University and Residential Education & Housing
• Promote a healthy transition to college life, development of community, student satisfaction, and student persistence within the residential facilities through leading and creating developmental, educational, and social programs
• Provides leadership and support for community development for residential communities, apartments and suites housing over 1500 residents
• Maintain a regular and visible presence in the residential community, including office hours, contact with residents and attending residential programs/events
• Provide response and support to parents, students, and residents with concerns about their residential experience
• Address student and parent concerns regarding student behavior, conflict resolution, student handbook violations, mental health considerations, roommate conflicts, and maintain effective communications with the Director of Residential Education & Housing, Dean of Students and other campus leadership as appropriate
• Facilitate Life After Lawrence program series that is aimed at addressing the transition to living off campus and on your own
• Facilitate the event registration and approval process in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Activities and Leadership

Supervision

• Provide supervision, training, and evaluation for Fox Commons Residential Program Coordinators
• Provide supervision, in conjunction with Area Coordinators of Community Advisor staff
• Indirectly supervise, train and evaluate Area Coordinator staff in their work with student staff and community development
• Ensure departmental performance management expectations are met
• Co-Create and facilitate Area Coordinator training in conjunction with Director of Residential Education & Housing

Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepare regular assessment reports on programming structure, student staff performance, and residential experience
• Support planning and implementation of opening and closing of the residence halls, including planning, organizing, and facilitating residential move-in
• Manage the vandalism response and damage billing processes
• Collaborate with facilities operations and custodial services to ensure the maintenance of the residential community through regular, intentional communication
• Ensure all safety, security, and maintenance needs are reported to appropriate personnel
• Walk through entire area of responsibility on regular basis and report observations
• Develop regular communication practices with custodial and maintenance staff
• Engage in responsible fiscal stewardship of assigned budgets
• Meet with supervisor regularly
• Co-facilitate residential education staff meetings in conjunction with Director of Residential Education & Housing

Departmental Responsibilities

• Facilitate recruitment, selection, training, and development for student staff positions, including human resource management-related tasks
• Create, Attend, participate in, and provides support to all training, in-services, staff retreats, departmental or supervisor staff meetings, and/or University committees or Task Forces as requested
• Manage and participate in operations-related processes as assigned including, but not limited to hall openings and hall closings
• Provide leadership for key management and support access control
• Represent the University through participation in state and regional professional organizations
• Support the Residence Education & Housing conduct process serving as an administrator and conduct hearing officer
• Support the Residential Education Coordinator in the Housing Selection Process
• Create and manage partnerships with internal and external partners

Divisional Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly divisional meetings and professional development opportunities
• Participate in Welcome Week programs, Admissions events, and support the efforts of the Division of Student Life
• Collaborate with the First Year Dean to provide a comprehensive first year experience
• Assist in student retention efforts
• Ensure institutional priorities are infused on daily work
• Assist with the coordination of international student arrivals in conjunction with the Director of International Student Services

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in higher education, student personnel, educational leadership or related field preferred
• Minimum of 4 years full-time experience working as a professional in a residential education setting
• Must possess an ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and pay attention to detail
• Position requires an ability to manage multiple priorities
• Knowledge of personal and student development theories
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and mediation skills as well as management and organizational abilities are required
• Must possess strong oral and written communication skills