Assistant Director, Residence Life

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
Position Title: Assistant Director of Residence Life and Conference Housing

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Residence Life provides leadership and operational oversight for the University's residential community, advancing a safe, engaging, and educational living environment that supports students' personal, spiritual, and academic development. This position assists with the supervision and development of Resident Assistants, manages building operations and facilities coordination, directs the summer conference housing program, and advises a key Executive Student Organization. The Assistant Director collaborates closely with colleagues across the Division of Student Affairs, Facilities, Dining Services, and other campus partners to ensure a high-quality residential experience and the effective use of university housing resources. The position reports to the Director of Residence Life and is appointed with the approval of the Assistant Dean of Campus Life, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and the President of the University.

Essential Responsibilities

Resident Assistants:

• Assist with the overall administration and daily operation of on-campus residence halls.
• Oversee the selection, training, scheduling, evaluation, organization and daily work of the Resident Assistants, including active involvement with the Centralized Leadership Process.
• Assist each RA in the coordination and planning of a monthly event that foster a community environment with opportunities for personal, spiritual and academic growth and leadership development by operating from a student development framework.
• Support, interpret, and enforce University and Residence Life policies, procedures and regulations among Residence Life staff and residents. Serve as a University conduct officer as needed.
• Assist with the annual review and revision, as needed, of the Residence Life policies and procedures.

Building Management:

• Assist the Director with oversight of the maintenance, safety, and appearance of all Residence Life facilities, ensuring spaces are well-maintained, welcoming, and conducive to student learning and community building.
• Conduct formal building walkthroughs at least once per semester to assess room and common-area conditions, identify maintenance needs, and ensure compliance with fire and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate furniture inventories and assist with the purchase, replacement, or repair of furnishings, décor, and small equipment as needed to support an engaging residential environment.
• Communicate facility updates and maintenance concerns to residents and staff, ensuring timely follow-up and transparency during repairs, outages, or renovations.
• Meet bi-monthly with Facilities and Custodial partners to review ongoing work orders, larger maintenance needs, and capital improvement priorities.

Summer Conferences:

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the University's summer conference housing program, serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external clients, including camps, conferences, and campus partners.
• Coordinate housing logistics for conference guests, including room assignments, check-in and check-out procedures, and customer service throughout their stay.
• Hire, train, and supervise summer conference assistants and student staff to ensure excellent hospitality, smooth daily operations, and adherence to University policies and safety standards.
• Prepare and manage client contracts, coordinate services with Custodial, Dining Services and Facilities, and oversee billing, invoices, and conference payments.
• Establish standard pricing structures for summer housing, negotiate client terms as appropriate, and provide financial tracking, reporting, and revenue analysis for summer operations.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the conference program, including potential future marketing and outreach to expand campus use following the opening of the new residence hall.

Student Leadership & Division Engagement:

• Serve as the advisor to an Executive Student Organization, providing guidance and mentorship to the executive leadership team; meet regularly with the president and executive members to support organizational goals, leadership development, and event planning;
• Attend and support all major events, meetings, and initiatives of the organization, fostering collaboration between the group and the broader campus community;
• Support and serve on other University and Students Affairs committees as needed, including attendance at all major Campus Life events;
• Participate in professional development through conference attendance, enrollment in a degree program, or involvement in professional associations;
• Perform other delegated responsibilities assigned by the Director of Residence Life, and/or the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.

Preferred Qualifications/Requirements

• Being a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church and under no ecclesiastical restrictions is preferred, as is a familiarity with the doctrine of the Church;
• All candidates much demonstrate a willingness to support the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church; as such candidates must demonstrate an ability and commitment to articulating the University's Catholic mission and identity in an inviting and engaging manner;
• Must reside in University-provided housing (two-bedroom unit) and serve as part of the Residence Life on-call rotation.
• Master's degree in Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Education, Counseling, Theology, or a related field, with a minimum of two years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in university settings, Catholic student leadership, residential life, event planning, and summer conference management preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and attend to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills-both oral and written-with the ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities and familiarity with ADA compliance preferred.
• Proficiency with computer applications, including word processing, databases, presentation software, and internet-based systems.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the University and an interest in fostering student development, faith formation, and community engagement through residence life.

This is a full-time, year round, benefit-eligible position. Regular evening work and occasional weekend work will be required.