EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 254-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Residence Life (ED) is integral to the Salem College Residential Life and Student Affairs teams. The ED is responsible for leadership and development of the residential life and housing program, which includes conduct. This role is vital to the emotional life and academic support of students and oversees six residence halls with an overall capacity of 300+ beds. This position is also responsible for supervising staff, setting the programmatic vision, managing the budget, and collaborating with Operations/Facilities on building maintenance. This is a full-time, 12-month position. The position reports directly to the College’s Dean of Students.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supervision and Training of Residence Life Staff

• Lead, develop and sustain a comprehensive residential life program aligned with the institution's mission and achieves the school's strategic plan and vision.
• Work closely with leadership to ensure students are successfully integrated into residential, academic, and student life programming. 
• Supervise and oversee the work performed by a Director, Area Coordinators (ACs), Graduate Assistants (GAs), Resident Assistants (RAs), student workers, and other titles. 
• Manage the staff recruitment processes, in-service training, and performance evaluations. 
• Conduct staff performance evaluations.
• Work with staff to develop programs that provide information on students' growth and development, community-building, and leadership. 
• Develop the on-call schedule; work hours will include a combination of weekdays, weekends, and some evenings.
• Coordinate with the Physical Plant staff on residence hall cleanliness, repair status, and related matters. 
• Work closely with the Director of Public Safety to ensure staff and students receive campus emergency response training. 
• Oversee Residence Life's social media communications to foster student engagement in the campus community.
• Infuse the Residence Life program with critical cross-cultural initiatives that increase the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to realize and sustain a diverse and inclusive community. Do so in collaboration with other offices on campus responsible for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts

 Student Affairs Collaboration

• Attend and participate in regular Student Affairs staff meetings.
• Assist with initiatives and programs such as, but not limited to, Orientation, Family Weekend, Admissions events, parent panels, convocations, and end-of-year activities, especially Commencements.
• Complete incident reports for policy violations and work with the Dean of Students and Director of Support & Accountability on conduct violations.
• Serve on task forces or committees as needed.
• Oversee the Campus Care Hub which operates as a food and supply pantry. 

Administrative Responsibilities

• Coordinate the residence halls' administrative, managerial, personnel, safety, and facilities functions. 
• Develop, communicate, and enforce residential life policies and procedures in alignment with the College’s mission and values. 
• Manage response to students of concern and response to student emergencies and crises.
• Oversee the arrival and departure processes for residential students.
• Maintain regular communication with stakeholders regarding residential life updates, events, and initiatives.
• Manage the Residence Life budget. 
• Manage housing assignments, including the housing selection processes, room change processes, and other related matters.
• Manage the professional residence life office ensuring the hours of operation meet student needs.
• Prepare end-of-year billing information.
• Review duty reports and address concerns.
• Serve on College committees as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Experience in undergraduate housing.
• Minimum 5 years of successfully progressive professional experience, including supervising staff. 
• Strong communicator with outstanding interpersonal abilities to cultivate effective relationships with various internal and external constituents, including administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through professional correspondence and formal presentations.
• Ability to design, create, and facilitate impactful student programming that promotes a sense of community and belonging among students.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and produce accurate professional work products under demanding timelines.
• Proven track record of establishing cooperative, effective working relationships across the institution. 
• Proven ability to display discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential issues, using sound judgment, and problem-solving. 
• Must be comfortable working in a small organization and performing a wide variety of functions.
• A Valid Driver’s License is required.
• Other duties may be assigned based on needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in Student Affairs or a related field. 
• Experience working with first-year college students.

Physical Functions

While performing the responsibilities of theExecutive Director of Residence Life, the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 30 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Salem College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Borrero, Dean of Students at jennifer.borrero@salem.edu