Assistant/Associate Director of Residence Life Operations - Manhattan University

The Assistant/Associate Director for Residence Life Operations is responsible for the general oversight and implementation of a variety of processes and procedures that aid in the creation of a welcoming, educational, and safe environment for students to live and learn. The Associate Director builds relationships with, engages, and works collaboratively with diverse groups of stakeholders to assist all campus community members in establishing policies, improving systems, and building a community that enhances the overall residential student experience, particularly in the areas of customer service, business processes, student accounts, housing assignments, and housing accommodations. The Associate Director must be able to navigate complex database systems and communicate effectively using a variety of platforms, be able to interpret data, and communicate it with multiple groups and stakeholders.

The Associate Director serves as a core member of the Residence Life staff, providing supervision and guidance to professional and student staff, non-clinical counseling to students, and helps support the department’s mission of creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment that promotes the academic success, personal growth, and well-being of all students.

This position requires the incumbent to live on-campus in a furnished apartment, participate as part of a 24-hour duty rotation, and requires participation in division and College-wide committees and initiatives. This position also requires occasional night and weekend work.

ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, CAPACITY BUILDING, SUPERVISION

• Serve as a key resource to various staff and departments relating to housing processes (not limited to, break housing, housing selection, account clearances, etc.)
• Supervises two area coordinators in managing projects, providing administrative and technical support necessary to maintain student engagement and assure progression of work toward goals.
• Provides supervision, training, and oversight for the Area Coordinator staff, and indirectly the Resident Assistant staff.
• Along with the Director of Residence Life, creates a sense of shared purpose and cohesion for and amongst the Residence Life staff.
• Align, advocate for, and build capacity for equity and wellbeing through consultation, student learning, strategy development, communication and a settings- or environments-based approach to campus conditions with respect to campus policies, learning and working environments, physical spaces, services and support, student development, and/or opportunities for social connectedness.
• Promotes, leverages, advocates, and holds self, others, and the organization accountable to workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being.
• Cares for oneself to be present, productive, and successful in and out of work.
• In collaboration with department staff, implement a comprehensive training and development plan for professional staff.
• Attend weekly Residence Life staff meetings, weekly supervision meetings, and division-wide meetings and gatherings as necessary.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING, STUDENT SUPPORT & NON-CLINICAL COUNSELING

• Provide support to students on a daily basis, including resource referrals, emotional support, and skill development.
• Understand and balance the overlapping needs of the institution and individual students, making appropriate judgements regarding upholding policy and making exceptions for individual cases.
• In collaboration with department staff, implement a comprehensive outreach, recruitment, selection, training, and development plan for student staff.
• Mediate group conflicts through the use of Restorative Practices or individual counseling
• Display appropriate judgment regarding confidentiality of students and dissemination of information to necessary college personnel.
• Maintains contact with students’ families, faculty advisors, and other concerned individuals/departments as necessary.
• Use knowledge and experience of institutional structure, available resources and community priorities in decision-making.
• Participate as part of a 24/7 on-call rotation, supporting residential students through crisis and emergency situations as needed, partnering with Public Safety and other College support services.
• Make referrals and follow-up on CARE team matters as needed.
• Access student needs, and develop strategies to support individual students through various emotionally/mentally taxing situations.
• Serve as one of the hearing officers for the student conduct process.

HOUSING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate and communicate effectively with other campus departments such as Physical Plant, Student Accounts, Campus Dining, etc.
• Work with contracted vendors to ensure the seamless integration of campus housing software with Manhattan systems such as Banner, Argos, Starfish, etc.
• Assist in creating and executing a housing marketing plan to attract and retain undergraduate, graduate, and veteran residents, including the development of materials.
• In coordination with the Director, develop a communication plan for residents including major initiatives such as fall move-in, spring closing, housing selection, etc.
• In collaboration with campus partners, plan and execute major initiatives for fall move-in, spring closing, housing selection, etc.
• Administer auxiliary services for residents; ID card access, wireless internet, television, and laundry.
• Monitor resident satisfaction with dining services and meal plans; regularly inspect dining areas and kitchens.
• Maintain and expand on-line student services in conjunction with Information Technology Services.
• Stay current on best practices in residential master plans.
• Support Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Academic Affairs, Business Affairs, and Conference and Events Services (for Summer Camps & Conferences) with housekeeping and logistical support for high-profile events in the residence halls.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

• Analyze and distribute occupancy and vacancy data regularly, preserving strict confidentiality of student records.
• Gather housing occupancy and student satisfaction assessments to support retention efforts.
• Review and analyze data regarding occupancy and forecast projections for upcoming years.
• In collaboration with colleagues, review and assess the alignment between current initiatives and the College’s strategic direction and policies. Provide recommendations to align efforts throughout the department, across campus, and assist with the development of evaluation measures.
• Upon request produce reports on year-to-year statistics in order to effectively communicate departmental work to external audiences.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 years of residence life experience
• Experience working with Starrez, Banner, Maxient, and other higher education software.
• Maintain positive relationships with students and families, campus partners, and vendors.
• Strong administrative, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of the practices, strategies, and timeline for the operation of a successful residence life program.
• Organized and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing deadlines.
• Customer service oriented approach to working with various stakeholders.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.

Salary Range: Assistant Director: $61,000-$67,000; Associate Director: $67,000-$75,000

Manhattan College is an independent Catholic coeducational institution in the Lasallian tradition. We expect our faculty, administration, and staff to be knowledgeable about our mission and to make a positive contribution to the mission. Applicants from historically under-represented segments of the population are encouraged to apply, as well as those attracted to a college with a Catholic identity. We are committed to a diverse campus community. AA/EO Employer M/F/D/V