Director, Student Housing

$72,735 - $75,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Campus Life, the Director of Student Housing provides leadership and operational oversight for the campus residential experience. This role directs all housing and residence life functions for the 240-bed apartment complex and the Woodlands on Green Bay apartment complex for 360. The Director balances student development and crisis intervention with rigorous business administration and inter-departmental collaboration.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. Full time staff are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation/ personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a national leader in interprofessional medical and healthcare education, is a graduate-level health sciences university situated on an attractive 85-acre campus in North Chicago, Illinois, approximately 40 miles north of the city of Chicago. Rosalind Franklin University is comprised of six Schools: the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Rosalind Franklin University enrolls approximately 2,000 students per academic year. Founded in 1912, Rosalind Franklin University has educated more than 16,000 medical and advanced health sciences degree graduates in the United States and worldwide.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

I. Residential Life & Student Development

• Staff Supervision: Recruits, selects, trains, and supervises a team of paraprofessional residence-life staff. The Director serves as the escalation point for student Community Managers, resolving complex disputes through the lens of Student Development Theory to transform conflicts into educational opportunities.
• Community Building: Plans and oversees initiatives designed to foster a vibrant, inclusive community for all on-campus residents.
• Crisis Response & Behavioral Management: Facilitates resident behavior protocols and manages the "Follow-Up" cycle. This includes conducting staff debriefs to support student Community Managers' mental health after traumatic events and ensuring all documentation complies with FERPA and the Clery Act.
• Strategic Assessment: Conducts annual surveys and reviews to assess community needs and resident experiences, utilizing data to drive departmental improvements.

II. Business Administration & Operations

• Occupancy Management: Directs marketing, contracts, and assignments. The Director mediates contractual disputes, balancing empathetic support for student hardships with fiscal responsibility to the University budget.
• Financial Oversight: Coordinates billing and accounts in partnership with the University Business Office and maintains rigorous oversight of departmental revenue and expenditures.
• Inter-Departmental Liaison: Serves as a bridge between various campus entities, such as Operations, Admissions, and Security. The Director is responsible for mediating differing departmental philosophies-such as the balance between security protocols and community-building goals-to ensure a seamless student experience.
• Administrative Management: Recruits, trains, and supervises the Administrative Coordinator of Student Life.

III. General Leadership & Wellness

• Division Integration: Serves as a key member of the Division of Success and Wellness leadership team. The Director identifies "students of concern" proactively, bridging the gap between housing-related issues and clinical mental health support.
• Logistical Crisis Management: In the event of facility emergencies (e.g., fires or floods), the Director manages the immediate re-housing of students while communicating effectively with parents and stakeholders.
• Collaborative Programming: Works within a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate major campus events, including orientation, awards ceremonies, and commencement.
• Student Engagement: Partners with Student Life staff to advise student organizations and enhance the overall student experience.

Conditions of Employment

Required Education & Experience

• Master's Degree in Student Personnel or related field.
• Resident life experience.
• Experience in the supervision of staff and general knowledge of housing administration and business concepts.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong foundation in residential life, student development theory, higher education administrative support structures, and higher education law.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the "political intelligence" necessary to lead effectively across three distinct planes:
  • Vertical Leadership (Supervision): Demonstrates the versatility to switch between a mentor-style approach when guiding paraprofessional student staff and a performance-driven management style when supervising personnel, such as the Administrative Coordinator.
  • Horizontal Leadership (Collaboration): Collaborates effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, demonstrating an ability to advocate for housing and residential needs, while maintaining strong, cohesive relationships with university partners.
  • Strategic Leadership (Reporting): Successfully interfaces with university leadership through "data storytelling in utilizing assessment tools and fiscal data to inform strategic decision-making and departmental growth.
• Proven ability to manage complex logistics, from occupancy data to crisis response, within a university environment.
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Work is of minimal physical demand in an office setting, with duties being performed while sitting, standing, or occasionally stooping.
• May require some evening or weekend work.

EOE, including Disability / Vets