Career Center

Department: Residential Services Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Northwestern University’s Residential Services helps build a community environment for students through housing-related services, intentional learning opportunities and residential settings that include residence halls, residential communities, and residential colleges. Learn more about the Residential Services department and the Residential Experience team here: https://www.northwestern.edu/living/index.html

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/strategic-themes.html

Job Summary:

With the residential experience as one of the top priorities for the division and Board of Trustees, the Senior Director, Residential Experience is a key leadership position within the department of Residential Services. The Senior Director provides crucial leadership and support for the residential experience, working with the Executive Director to develop and implement a vision in alignment with Residential Services goals and the Division of Student Affairs strategic plan. The Residential Experience team is responsible for implementing programmatic offerings, inclusion and belonging initiatives, leadership opportunities, and connections to undergraduate education in residence halls, residential colleges, and graduate housing. This work is guided by the Residential Experience Framework that is centered around the pillars of community and belonging, care and support, student agency, academic linkages, and equity, justice, and inclusion. This work is accomplished through the Office of Residential Experience that is comprised of the Residential and Academic Engagement (RAE) and Residential Community and Support (RCS) teams (all which reside within the Department of Residential Services).

Under the direction of the Senior Director and leadership of a Director, the Residential and Academic Engagement team provides leadership and direction for the residential area model. The office oversees the Faculty-in-Residence program, ten residential colleges, residential college leadership programming, the Council of Faculty Chairs, Area Councils, and residence-based academic instruction and support. The Senior Director develops strong partnerships with the Office of the Provost, academic units, and with School leadership to further connections between academics and the residential experience.

The Senior Director also supervises the Director of Residential Community and Support. This office implements and executes the programs that support and define the area model. This team also provides general leadership for co-curricular initiatives related to student well-being, their sense of belonging/affinity, involvement, and engagement in the residential community, and leads efforts to develop departmental goals and priorities. The Senior Director cultivates relationships and partners with the Dean of Students Office develop and implement best practices related to student support and wellness.

Serving on the Residential Services Leadership team, the Senior Director helps develop a shared understanding of the experiential goals and administrative needs of the residential areas and residential colleges and works collaboratively with their fellow Directors to meet aforementioned needs and expectations; this applies to everything from academic room setups (for faculty led teaching) and housing processes to budget management and faculty/professional staff needs. The Senior Director is also one of the department’s primary liaison to Student Affairs Assessment & Planning for evaluation of the residential experience.

Some evening and weekend hours will be required.

Principal Accountabilities:

Strategic Leadership 45%

• In alignment with the Division of Student Affairs strategic plan and in conjunction with the Executive Director of Residential Services, set the vision for and ensure the implementation of the residential student experience in residence halls, residential colleges, special interest communities and graduate housing.
• Lead staff, including through the direct supervision of the Director, Residential and Academic Engagement and the Director, Residential Community and Support, in developing and implementing initiatives to promote: student well-being; diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion; the development of community and social belonging; connection of academics with outside of the classroom experiences; student leadership roles; community standards; and safety.
• Further develop and oversee the growth of the residential area model, including assessing current practices, solidifying intentional programming partnerships, refining faculty and staff roles, and strategically planning the evolution of the model.
• Oversee residential academic initiatives, including the residential college system, Faculty-in-Residence program, and partnerships with academic stakeholders.
• Provide direction for the selection, training, and development of 20 full-time staff, 22 graduate assistants, 130 student staff, 5 Faculty-in-Residence, 10 Faculty Chairs, and 10 Associate Chairs, including the direct supervision of 2 directors and 1 administrative assistant.  
• Ensure the effective implementation of student leadership initiatives, including Area Councils, Residential College Board, and Residential College Executive Boards.

Collaborative Partnerships 40%

• Lead partnerships with the Office of the Provost including the oversight and development of faculty in Faculty Chair and Faculty-in-Residence positions; oversight of and enhancing opportunities for 1^st and 2^nd year academic courses to be taught in residential spaces (building upon the current 100+ credits offered each quarter); recruitment and selection of faculty for residential initiatives. 
• Lead and nurture strong partnerships with offices related to student well-being and support, accountability, and the development of community including the Dean of Students, Community Standards, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Enrichment Services, Northwestern Police, Religious and Spiritual Life, and others. Envision and co-create processes and procedures that center and provide students with seamless and high touch wraparound support services. Collaborate to develop proactive measures to promote student well-being.
• Lead partnerships with Campus Inclusion and Community and the Provost Office related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice initiatives. Assess student needs, reduce or eliminate barriers to belonging, and implement practices to develop inclusive communities. Develop an atmosphere where staff from all backgrounds may flourish and develop. 
• Develop and nurture strong partnerships with Student Engagement, Student Transition Experiences, Alumni Relations & Development, and Academic Learning and Support. Cultivate collaborative initiatives that are beneficial to students and make best use of departmental and institutional skill sets, knowledge, and resources.

Administrative, Assessment, and Marketing 10%

• Reflect departmental priorities while developing and overseeing a budget of $4.5M million.
• Employ strategies to evaluate and assess departmental initiatives, using the data to plan process improvements.
• Share the story of the residential experience through partnerships with Student Affairs Marketing, the Office of Global Communication and Marketing, Admissions and campus partners.
• Serve on the Residential Services leadership team and partner closely within the department and the greater Division of Student Affairs to strengthen services, experiences, and amenities offered for students.

Miscellaneous 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned Master’s Degree.
• Comprehensive (minimum of 10 years) related student development and higher education administrative experience, including supervision, mentoring, coaching and training of a large staff.  
• Successful experience in implementing academic initiatives in a residential setting Candidate must possess excellent interpersonal communication, organization, administration, supervision skills and experience as well as a commitment to inclusive communities and student development

Minimum Competencies:

• Budget development, ability to work in a collaborative environment, demonstrated ability to show initiative and creative solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with daily priority changes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate Preferred.
• Direct experience in program development, advising, teaching, and working with faculty.
• Familiarity with on-campus housing, residential communities, and student development.
• Experience with residential learning community administration, faculty collaboration, program development, program marketing, assessment and evaluation, and event planning.
• Evidence of appreciation and support of other aspects of housing operations (facilities/food service/business operations).
• Evidence of commitment to the Housing profession through attendance, presentations, and publications at the regional and national level.
• Evidence of ability to demonstrate high energy, enthusiasm, commitment to diversity, and relate to a wide variety of personalities and offices, and create the same in staff.
• Evidence of knowledge of student development and application to programs and experiences or relevance, practicality, and substance to students.\
• Experience working at a top research institution.

Preferred Competencies:

• The Senior Director must work collaboratively with staff members in Residential Services, Student Affairs, and various academic departments, their faculty, and administrators. This position coordinates faculty in residence programs while serving as a role model of adult behavior and academic commitment.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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