Director of Residence Life & Housing

Bard College, a liberal arts college on the Hudson River, is a private institution working in the public interest.

The Director of Residence Life and Housing is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position, within the Office of Residence Life and Housing that provides overall leadership and vision for the creation, administration and evaluation of a comprehensive residential living/education program serving approximately 1,450 on-campus students living in over 40 residential buildings. The Director of Residence Life and Housing reports to the Assistant Dean of Students & Director of the First Year Experience.

The Director of Residence Life and Housing manages the housing management software, The Housing Director (THD) and operations of Bard College’s residential facilities. This position is responsible for maintaining a supportive, educational environment, which promotes student’s individual growth, community responsibility, and academic achievement. The Director supports the overall mission of the college by creating an environment that mirrors the academic philosophy inherent in a liberal arts education at a small college with a vibrant, dynamic student population.

Bard College’s main campus is in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., with 1,900 undergraduate students; the College also includes multiple graduate programs. The 1,000-acre campus sits along the Hudson River and offers the Fisher Performing Arts Center, and Hessel Museum of Art, and is the home of the Bard Prison Initiative, the largest college-degree-granting prison education program in the U.S. The Bard Network also includes several Bard High School Early Colleges across the country as well as international campuses and partnerships. The Bard Network is complex and demonstrates Bard’s priorities well in addition to the College’s emphasis on civic engagement.

Bard College is a private institution working in the public interest. Bard faculty and staff lead their students by example, building upon the existing network of boundary-breaking programs focused on rethinking who can and should be included in a liberal arts education.

Responsibilities:

• Manages the administration of College housing throughout the year to include data collection related to housing capacity, room change processes, early arrivals, late departures, and summer and commencement housing.
• Leads housing initiatives such as Room Selection, first-year housing assignments, room changes and swaps, opening and closing, and occupancy management. Works with other members of the Residence Life Staff to ensure accurate occupancy reports and implementation of all assignment processes.
• Builds relationships with campus partners (buildings and grounds, housekeeping, safety and security) to ensure safe, clean, healthy living environments.
• Develops and monitors procedures with Area Coordinators for procedures related to check-in, check-out, room changes, rosters, key control, maintenance/housekeeping complaints, vandalism, inventory sheets and room draw.
• Prepares and presents housing data to various administrative offices via a Weekly Housing Report (Admissions, Executive Vice President, Vice President for Administration, Student Accounts).
• Provides clear oral and written communication that compassionately addresses concerns and questions related to student life from parents, students, faculty, staff, the Bard community, and other institutions.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Director and the Computer Center: to design, implement, and maintain an accurate and user-friendly website for the Office; to develop a comprehensive communication plan, including the use of social media and marketing campaigns.
• Tracks all residential housing placements and facilities management using BANNER and software programs (THD) related to residence life oversight.
• Conducts and attends regular weekly meetings with the Residence Life and Housing Staff, Dean of Students Affairs staff and Facilities Staff.
• Leads in the planning and development of departmental guidelines to support organizational management with the creation of long range plans for facilities improvements.
• Leads in the planning and development of departmental guidelines to support facilities upkeep and building management.
• Oversees and assists in the creation, implementation and evaluation of assessment activities related to facilities management.
• Delegates committee assignments and tasks to Area Coordinators, Office Coordinator, and Peer Counselors (PC) as needed.

The Director of Residence Life and Housing position is a 12-month, ​live-off ​commitment. Compensation includes salary, work cell phone, laptop, benefits package including health benefits, paid vacation after the first year, retirement plan after two years, and gym membership.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred, in student personnel or related field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong customer service and organizational skills
• Proven ability to work collegially with a variety of constituencies, and traits that complement and demonstrate integrity and cooperation in relation to administration and management
• Five (5+) plus years of progressive professional experience in the following areas is desirable: residence hall administration, supervision, website development, database management,and oversight of multifaceted processes
• Successful candidates will have a demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead various projects independently and as part of a team; must be able to work within a department that values initiative, strong work ethic and teamwork
• The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work in standard office environment
Must be able to occasionally lift 20 pounds
Must be able to work occasional weekends and evenings as needed

To Apply:
Please submit the following through the Interfolio job application link provided: https://apply.interfolio.com/87306

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three contact references

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE