Residential Community Director (HR Title : Residence Hall Director) - (RES00000077)

Salary Range :

Annual salary - $47,112.  This is a live-in position. Other benefits include a meal allowance of $2,300 per year (twelve months); relocation allowance up to $800 (new employees must be a minimum of 50 miles or more to be eligible for relocation assistance); access to professional development funds; partially furnished one bedroom / one bathroom apartment, including laundry, utilities, expanded television service and internet; and comprehensive package of University health, tuition and retirement benefits.

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools :   Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences ,  Cox School of Business ,  Lyle School of Engineering ,  Meadows School of the Arts ,  Simmons School of Education and Human Development ,  Dedman School of Law ,  Perkins School of Theology  and  Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies .

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities.  SMU’s relationship with Dallas  – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position :

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Residential Community Director provides leadership in developing and sustaining positive academically focused residential communities and in successfully accomplishing administrative functions required in managing a university residence community. Position is live-in and reports to an Associate Director for Residential Life. The position serves in an on-call rotation.

Essential Functions :

Trains, supervises, and evaluates the job performance of student staff. Conducts regularly scheduled individual and group staff meetings. Provides development and accountability for student leaders.

Develops a personal knowledge of individual residents to better provide assistance and related support. Assists with retention efforts. Serves as a case manager through the Caring Community Connections program. Provides conflict mediation and parent interaction to resolve student issues.

Assesses needs of residents. Provides and facilitates programming (including at least one large-scale signature event program yearly) in support of the Residential Commons tradition to promote a positive living and learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging. Advises commons council and student leaders.

Leads and / or serves on one or more RLSH (and potentially Student Affairs) committees. Meets regularly with supervisor and other RLSH staff.

Develops a relationship with FIR and supports their connection to the leadership team and programmatic efforts.

Serves as Conduct Officer for student conduct cases occurring in residential areas.

Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet RLSH and University goals.

Coordinates building operations. Assists with occupancy management, including but not limited to managing room and hall changes, check-in and check-out activity, etc. Monitors physical condition of assigned areas and reports work requests and desired facility improvements per established procedures.

• Manages budget and financial paperwork including purchasing and expense reports. Assists in major annual processes, e.g., staff selection, assessments, and serves on the on-call rotation to manage student and facilities emergencies, etc.

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

A Master's degree is required.  A degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Counseling in Higher Education or related field is preferred.

Previous experience in Residence Life (full time or graduate) is preferred. Experience working in Student Affairs, a residential college setting or working with academic and faculty partners is also preferred. Experience supervising student staff is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must be able to establish and maintain effective and collaborative supervisory and collegial working relationships.

Candidate must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends, and serve in an on-call rotation and also be willing and able to live in and be a presence in the community.

Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands :

Deadline to Apply :

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by February 9, 2025.

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement :

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity / Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601,  accessequity@smu.edu .

Benefits :

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of  health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of  wellness programs  to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of  retirement programs  that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of  professional and personal development opportunities , including  tuition benefits .