Residential Community Director - (RES00000072)

Salary Range: 

Annual salary - $47,112.  This is a live-in position. Other benefits include a meal allowance of $2,300 per year (twelve months); relocation allowance up to $800 (new employees must be a minimum of 50 miles or more to be eligible for relocation assistance); access to professional development funds; partially furnished one bedroom/one bathroom apartment, including laundry, utilities, expanded television service and internet; and comprehensive package of University health, tuition and retirement benefits.

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new in the world – and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for our students, faculty and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Southern Methodist University (SMU), a private university in Dallas, Texas, seeks a Residential Community Director. The Residential Community Director provides leadership in developing and sustaining positive academically focused residential communities and in successfully accomplishing administrative functions required in managing a university residence community. Position is live-in and reports to an Associate Director for Residential Life. The position serves in an on-call rotation.

Essential Functions:

• Train, supervise, and evaluate the job performance of student staff; conduct regularly scheduled individual and group staff meetings.
• Coordinate with Faculty in Residence, Faculty Affiliates, and other community partners.
• Assess needs of residents and provide programming as needed to promote a positive living and learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging; advise commons council and student leaders.
• Develop a personal knowledge of individual residents to better provide assistance and related support as needed.  Assist with retention efforts.
• Lead and/or serve on one or more RLSH (and potentially Student Affairs) committees.  Meet regularly with supervisor and other RLSH staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet RLSH and University goals.
• Serve as Conduct Officer for student conduct cases occurring in residential areas.
• Coordinate building operations: Assist with occupancy management as scheduled or requested, including but not limited to managing room and hall changes, check-in and check-out activity, roster verifications, etc.; Monitor physical condition of assigned areas and report work requests and desired facility improvements per established procedures.
• Manage budget and financial paperwork including purchasing and expense reports.
• Assist in major annual processes; e.g., staff selection, assessments, and serve on the on-call rotation to manage student and facilities emergencies, etc.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master’s degree obtained by the start of the position is strongly preferred. Field of study in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Counseling in Higher Education, or related field, is preferred.

Previous Residence Life experience (full time, or graduate) is strongly preferred.  

Work experience in related areas of Student Affairs is required.

Experience working in a Residential College setting or experience working with academic and faculty partners, is preferred.

Experience supervising student staff is preferred.

Microsoft Office skills are required (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.  Must be able to establish rapport and build relationships with key constituencies in a diverse community.

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as excellent listening skills.

Must possess significant problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop solutions with creativity, resourcefulness and diplomacy.

Candidate must possess strong organizational, planning and project management skills.  Must be attentive to details.

Candidate must have effective leadership and supervisory skills, as this position interviews and hires RAs, assigns tasks and directs work.

Must be fiscally responsible, as this position will purchase supplies, monitor expenditures against budget, and prepare necessary documents for review/approval.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). 

Candidate must be able to work independently, yet work collaboratively with other university partners.

Must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends, and serve in an on-call rotation.

Must be willing and able to live in and be a presence in the community.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Submissions received by February 9, 2024, may receive priority consideration. 

This position is open until filled. 

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.