Director of Housing and Residence Life

Director of Housing and Residence Life

Wiley University
Department: Student Affairs
Reports To: Vice President for Student Affairs or Designee
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Housing and Residence Life provides strategic and operational leadership for Wiley University’s residential life and campus housing programs. The Director is responsible for creating a safe, supportive, student-centered residential environment that promotes student success, engagement, accountability, retention, and community development.

This position oversees the day-to-day operation of University housing, including residential programming, staff supervision, occupancy management, housing assignments, crisis response, student conduct support, facilities coordination, policy enforcement, and assessment of residential services.

The Director works collaboratively with Student Affairs, Public Safety, Facilities, Enrollment Management, Athletics, Academic Affairs, People and Culture, and other campus departments to support the overall student experience.

Experience working with Title IX matters, student conduct, investigations, or related compliance areas is preferred.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Housing Operations

• Provide overall leadership and administration for University housing and residence life operations.

• Manage housing assignments, room changes, occupancy, move-in, move-out, and semester transition processes.

• Monitor housing capacity and occupancy trends and make recommendations regarding residential needs.

• Ensure accurate maintenance of housing records, rosters, assignments, and related documentation.

• Develop and maintain housing procedures, residential expectations, and operational standards.

• Collaborate with Facilities and other departments regarding maintenance, repairs, inspections, housekeeping, and residential facility concerns.

• Coordinate residential opening and closing procedures each semester.

Residence Life and Student Development

• Develop and implement programs that promote student engagement, belonging, leadership, wellness, and academic success.

• Create a residential experience that supports the mission, values, and culture of Wiley University.

• Encourage positive community standards and personal accountability among residential students.

• Support initiatives designed to improve student retention and persistence.

• Maintain regular visibility and engagement within the residential community.

Staff Supervision

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate residence life personnel, which may include Assistant Directors, Area Coordinators, Resident Assistants, student staff, and other residential personnel.

• Establish clear expectations for housing and residence life staff.

• Develop staff schedules and ensure appropriate residential coverage.

• Provide ongoing professional development and coaching for residence life staff.

• Address employee performance concerns in collaboration with People and Culture.

Student Conduct and Crisis Response

• Respond appropriately to student emergencies, behavioral concerns, residential incidents, and other situations affecting student safety or well-being.

• Support the administration and enforcement of University housing policies and the Student Code of Conduct.

• Document residential incidents and ensure timely referral of concerns to appropriate University officials.

• Participate in student conduct processes as assigned.

• Serve as part of an emergency or after-hours response structure when necessary.

• Coordinate with Public Safety and University leadership regarding significant residential incidents.

Title IX and Compliance Support

• Assist with appropriate reporting and response related to allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, interpersonal violence, stalking, or other conduct that may implicate Title IX or University policy.

• Understand and fulfill mandatory reporting responsibilities as required by University policy and applicable law.

• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and documentation related to sensitive student matters.

• Collaborate with the Title IX Coordinator, Student Affairs leadership, People and Culture, and other appropriate officials when incidents arise.

• Title IX investigation, coordination, training, or case-management experience is preferred.

Student Support and Conflict Resolution

• Meet with students regarding roommate concerns, housing complaints, behavioral issues, and residential conflicts.

• Facilitate conflict resolution and restorative conversations when appropriate.

• Identify students who may require additional support and connect them with appropriate campus resources.

• Maintain professional boundaries while fostering a responsive and supportive residential environment.

Policy and Assessment

• Assist in developing, reviewing, and updating housing and residence life policies.

• Ensure consistent application of housing policies and procedures.

• Track and analyze housing trends, student concerns, incident data, and program effectiveness.

• Prepare reports and recommendations for University leadership.

• Participate in institutional assessment, accreditation, and compliance activities as requested.

Collaboration and Campus Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the Student Affairs leadership team.

• Work collaboratively with campus partners to support enrollment, retention, student engagement, and campus safety.

• Participate in University committees, trainings, events, orientation programs, and other institutional initiatives.

• Support major campus events and student programming as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in housing, residence life, student affairs, student conduct, higher education administration, or a related area.

• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience.

• Strong communication, conflict-resolution, organizational, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive, confidential, and emergency situations.

• Experience working with diverse student populations.

• Strong understanding of student development principles and residential education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Sound judgment and discretion.

• Strong crisis-management and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to remain composed during high-pressure situations.

• Knowledge of residential education and student development.

• Knowledge of student conduct practices and due-process principles.

• Familiarity with Title IX, Clery Act, FERPA, and related higher education compliance requirements.

• Ability to build effective relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Strong documentation and record-management skills.

Working Conditions

The Director of Housing and Residence Life must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings, weekends, University events, move-in and move-out periods, and emergency response situations. The position requires regular interaction with students in residential environments and may require responding to urgent residential matters outside traditional business hours.

Commitment to Wiley University

The Director of Housing and Residence Life is expected to support the mission, values, traditions, and student-centered culture of Wiley University and contribute to an inclusive residential environment focused on student success, accountability, safety, leadership, and community.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, Educational Leadership, Human Resources, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Five or more years of experience in housing, residence life, or student affairs leadership.

• Experience with Title IX processes, investigations, compliance, training, or student misconduct matters.

• Experience administering student conduct processes.

• Experience managing residential facilities, occupancy, or housing operations.

• Experience working within a small college, private university, HBCU, or mission-driven educational environment.

• Familiarity with applicable federal and state higher education regulations.