Residence Hall Director

Job Responsibilities

The Residence Hall Director plays a vital role in fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging residential community that supports the mission of Saint Mary's College. This full-time, twelve-month, live-in position is responsible for the overall well-being, development, and success of students residing in an assigned residence hall while serving as a leader, mentor, educator, and administrator.

Community Development

• Foster a welcoming residential community rooted in the College's mission, Catholic identity, and the values of learning, community, faith/spirituality, and justice.
• Build meaningful relationships with residents through daily engagement and visible leadership.
• Develop, implement, and assess educational, leadership, and social programming in collaboration with Resident Assistants.
• Serve as a Hearing Officer by conducting student conduct meetings, determining appropriate educational sanctions, maintaining accurate records, and making referrals when necessary.
• Partner with Campus Ministry to support the spiritual growth and well-being of students while welcoming individuals from diverse faith traditions.
• Promote inclusion, social responsibility, justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity throughout the residential community.

Student Development

• Provide guidance and support to students experiencing personal, academic, interpersonal, or social concerns and make appropriate referrals.
• Mediate conflicts and facilitate resolution while providing continued follow-up and support.
• Maintain open communication with residents and create opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Resident Assistants, Senior Resident Assistants, Night Assistants, and student desk workers.
• Facilitate weekly staff meetings, leadership development sessions, and ongoing training.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with Resident Assistants to provide coaching, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Collaborate with student leadership teams to cultivate a supportive and engaging residential environment.

Residence Hall Operations

• Participate in a rotating 24/7 on-call schedule to respond to emergencies and student concerns, including college breaks and designated University of Notre Dame home football weekends.
• Maintain regular office hours and remain accessible to residents.
• Coordinate residence hall opening and closing procedures, room inspections, key management, room condition reports, and housing operations.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Building Services, and Security to ensure a safe, functional, and welcoming living environment.
• Monitor residence hall operations and communicate significant issues to the Director of Residence Life.
• Assist with departmental initiatives including staff selection, training, room assignments, break housing, and other administrative processes.
• Serve on committees and complete special projects in support of Student Affairs and the College community.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Proficiency with technology and willingness to learn new software systems.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, colleagues, and campus partners.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive residential community that supports student success.
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to emergencies outside normal business hours.
• Willingness to live in a furnished on-campus apartment as a condition of employment.
• This position is designated as Essential Personnel and requires availability during emergencies and campus closures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience in residence life, student affairs, community development, student conduct, advising, educational programming, or conflict resolution.
• Experience supervising and mentoring student employees or student leaders.
• Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in residential education.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Understanding of or appreciation for the mission of a Catholic liberal arts institution.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must not require visa sponsorship from the College, either now or in the future.

Schedule

• Full-time, twelve-month, live-in position.
• Includes a furnished on-campus apartment and meal plan when the dining hall is open.
• Requires participation in a rotating on-call schedule, including evenings, weekends, college breaks, and designated University of Notre Dame home football weekends.
• Regular office hours, evening programming, student meetings, and occasional travel across campus are expected.
• The normal appointment for this position is two years, with the possibility of a third year based on satisfactory performance and mutual agreement between the College and the Residence Hall Director.