Residence Hall Director

Job Summary

The Residence Hall Director is a live-in professional responsible for the daily operation, management, and leadership of one to two university residence halls. Reporting to the Associate Director for Residence Life and Student Development, this position is essential to fostering a safe, inclusive, and academically supportive living environment for students.

The Residence Hall Director supervises 5–12 Resident Assistants (RAs), oversees residential programming, responds to crises, and contributes to the holistic development and success of residential students. Essential Job Functions, Duties and Responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight of assigned residence hall(s), including room assignments, key management, and health/safety inspections.

Maintain a safe and welcoming living environment; collaborate with Facilities to ensure timely maintenance and cleanliness. Participate in an on-call duty rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to address student crises and emergency response. Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of Resident Assistants (5–12).

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a staff of 5 – 12 Resident Assistants: lead staff training, development, and team-building activities. Assist in hall security and facility management efforts, including key control and health/safety inspections. Facilitate regular staff meetings and one-on-one supervision to support student leadership, community engagement, and conflict resolution.

Serve as a hearing officer for student conduct cases within the residence hall community. Educate students on community expectations, university policies, and responsible decision-making. Support staff in programming efforts, conflict resolution, academic support, and crisis management. Serve as a hearing officer for conduct violations related to residence life and housing policies.

Train housing staff on educational outcomes, programming assessment, academic interventions, and inclusive excellence. Advise residents and foster a community that supports academic success, identity development, and personal growth. Support and implement residential curriculum goals in collaboration with department leadership.

Plan and assess educational, social, and wellness programs aligned with student affairs learning outcomes. Advise and support the Residence Hall Council to encourage student leadership and involvement. Partner with departments such as Academic Advising, Career Services, Counseling, and Health Services to support resident needs.

Assist with campus-wide initiatives related to student retention, engagement, and residential learning communities. Meet regularly with Resident Assistants and learning community partners to support the execution of community development and learning plans. Educate residents about community standards, policies, and their rights and responsibilities.

Maintain accurate conduct records and submit timely reports using Maxient conduct management system. Provide crisis intervention and support to residents, making referrals to the CARE team or other support offices as appropriate. Participate in a rotating on-call duty schedule that includes after-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage to respond to student emergencies and incidents.

Participate in departmental recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation processes for student and professional staff. Collect and analyze data on housing trends, student satisfaction, and program outcomes to inform strategic decisions. Recommend policy improvements in support of student success and retention. Contribute to housing and residence life-wide initiatives, planning, assessment, and special projects.

Assist in campus retention and student success initiatives through relationship-building, outreach, and early intervention. Serve as a member of university-wide committees and emergency response teams. Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Residence Life & Student Development. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of The Housing Director through Star.

Rez software, Adobe Suite, and proficient in using Microsoft Office suite. Excellent organizational and time-management skills. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail; ability to perform duties with high accuracy. Ability to work with and maintain confidential University information.

Ability to adapt to a flexible schedule that includes evening and weekend activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in student personnel, student development, or related field. Minimum one year experience in University Residence Life and Housing. Experience in student accountability and an awareness of emerging issues in higher education, residence life and housing, community building, and student learning.

Preferred Qualifications

Proven competence in leadership and supervision of students and staff. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Must prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment, develop communication strategies and work with internal and external stakeholders. Physical Demands Light sedentary office work. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Ability to lift up to 25lbs. Lincoln University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at 573-681-5018.