Director of Residence Life

Description

University Center is a unique 1700+ bed multi-use student housing complex located in the heart of downtown with academic year residents from 5 master leased universities along with individual leasing, a full-service on-site dining center and market, as well as retail tenants. During the summer, the building transforms into a short-term stay and hoteling facility for interns, groups, corporate clients, and more. With 150+ staff and several departments, University Center is truly a unique and rewarding experience with many areas to learn and grow!

This is a live-in required position in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop, with shared on-call and evening duty responsibilities. In addition to all standard Peak Made benefits, this position is also eligible to receive* a furnished apartment, all-inclusive utilities, meal plan with flex dollars, and monthly cell phone stipend.

SUMMARY

As a member of the senior management team, the Director of Residence Life (DRL) is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and strategic development of the student residential experience and Residence Life team. This role enhances the living and learning environment through programming, policy development, and student support while fostering strong communication and collaboration with university partners. The DRL also contributes to larger operational initiatives that impact the full University Center team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Development & Student Engagement

· Ensure a positive, inclusive, and supportive residential environment.

· Design, implement, and assess a comprehensive programming model that includes social, educational, cultural, and community-building activities.

· Ensure students have access to:

o Leadership opportunities

o Programming that adds value to their experience

o Peer interaction and community connection

o Student-led initiatives and decision-making involvement

· Support engagement efforts for historically underrepresented or underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, international students, and LGBTQIA2S+ students.

· Coordinate building-wide initiatives and collaborate with the Housing Department to support both university and summer occupancy transitions, including staffing and operational needs during move-in, move-out, and break periods.

Supervision & Leadership

· Hire, train, supervise, and develop a team of 4 full-time, live-in professional staff who oversee student well-being, engagement, and community standards.

· Oversee the Resident Advisor (RA) program, including the recruitment, training, supervision, and ongoing evaluation of (currently) 34 live-in students from our various universities.

· Foster a collaborative team environment focused on continuous improvement, student-centered services, and staff development.

· Provide training to all staff at least twice per year on student-related topics, including common issues, emerging trends, and handling escalated incidents. Training topics are selected in collaboration with the UC Director team, Supervisor, and Executive Director.

· Facilitate Directors on Call (DOC) training at least twice annually to review university emergency protocols, crisis response procedures, Title IX requirements, and other emerging or identified needs.

· Manage the on-call duty rotation, ensuring 24/7 coverage, as well as serve as the emergency response lead and on-call supervisor for the DOCs.

Crisis & Conduct Management

· Serve as the primary liaison to institutional partners for student conduct issues, crisis reporting, roommate disputes, and behavioral concerns.

· Review, develop, and coordinate behavioral response protocols, including interventions, sanctions, university referrals, and contract termination recommendations, in consultation with Supervisor & Executive Director.

· Coordinate and manage escalated roommate conflicts, behavioral interventions, and emergency room transfers.

· Develop and implement crisis response and management plans, including training for staff.

Administrative & Strategic Operations

· Ensure compliance with Master Lease obligations across multiple university partners, as well as landlord obligations for private leaseholders.

· Collaborate with university partners on student support efforts, Clery Act and Title IX compliance, and behavioral reporting protocols.

· Solicit and evaluate student feedback and assessment data to aid in informing programming, operations, facilities planning, and capital improvement recommendations.

· Track and report on departmental spending, monitor budget usage, and make data-informed recommendations.

· Ensure timely completion of required reports and proper documentation of critical incidents.

· Candidate must be available on evenings and weekends during peak move-in and move-out periods.

· Additional responsibilities as required

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

· Minimum two years’ full-time applicable experience.

· Ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships.

· Experience in community development, educational programming, leadership training and development.

· Excellent customer service skills, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills

· Computer literacy required, ability to navigate Microsoft Office and learn new software systems successfully

· Proven ability to work productively with a diverse range of students and staff, as well as in high-stress or crisis management situations.

· Experience with Housing and/or Residence Life software, StarRez strongly preferred, and ability learn new systems successfully.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

· Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., phone, copy machine, etc.)

· The person in this position frequently communicates with students and parents. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and must be able to exchange accurate information with team members, residents, and more.

* Full-time staff members that are required to live on-site per the terms of their position are eligible to receive a discount of 100% on rent.

Qualifications