Director of Residential Operations

Job Description:

Brown University’s Office of Residential Life strives to provide a meaningful, holistic residential experience where students can share a sense of belonging to the Brown community, practice and expand what they are learning in their course of study, be supported in the development of healthy practices, and cultivate connections with their fellow students. The staff who support this mission are dedicated and thoughtful practitioners whose work is student-centric, preparing them to thrive in their residential communities and beyond.

We are seeking an experienced practitioner to lead our Residential Operations unit, which oversees Brown’s undergraduate residential facilities and the processes that support the students who live on campus. The Director will need to be nimble yet strategic in their thinking as the University navigates the evolving landscape of higher education.

The Director of Residential Operations, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Residential & Community Living (AVPRCL), brings a strategic, relational, and coordinated approach to the planning, management, and oversight of Brown University’s undergraduate residential facilities (encompassing 2.1 million square feet, housing over 5,400 academic-year residents with $1.8M budget) and relevant processes and technologies. Has oversight and responsibility for planning and implementation of critical communications, processes, and contracts that shape the student experience including housing selection and room assignment processes, occupancy projections and planning, billing, and coordination with internal and external partners regarding renovations, short- and long-range renewal and replacement projects, and capital planning. The Director plays a critical role in the development and implementation of departmental planning, policies, and budget processes related to all aspects of residential operations. Directly supervises Associate Director of Residential Operations and the Assistant Director of Residential Facilities and Operations; indirectly supervises ten additional staff supporting facilities and operations, housing assignments, and 24/7 Key Office operations. Collaborates with other Campus Life and University departments to develop and implement policies, communications, and processes within a student development framework, and supports emergency response for issues impacting residential students’ safety, security, and wellbeing.

As an active collaborator within the division of Campus Life, the Director works closely with fellow members of the Residential Life Leadership Team and other Campus Life partners to deliver processes, communications, and a residential experience that is aligned with Brown’s Liberal Learning Goals for its Open Curriculum and autonomous, self-directed, and critically-conscious students. The Director will accomplish these outcomes by building and leading a dynamic and engaged professional team whose practice is inclusive, effective, efficient, forward-thinking, and supportive of students and colleagues. The Director contributes to the implementation of the University’s after-hours on-call system and collaborates with a wide range of colleagues to respond to student emergencies.

Job Qualifications

• Masters degree required. Degree in student affairs, college counseling, college student personnel, business administration, or equivalent preferred.

• A minimum of seven years of experience leading a residential facilities and operations unit/team, preferably in a higher education setting. Experience providing leadership within a complex educational operation is preferred.

• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered in lieu of required education and experience.

• Demonstrated success with occupancy management and forecasting, including the ability to present information to various campus partners, informed by goals for the student experience and financial considerations.

• Evidence of creative strategic thinking and proven ability to work in a dynamic environment, to facilitate organizational change, adjust priorities, collaborate with partners, and improve organizational performance.

• Advanced proficiency, knowledge of, and experience with Microsoft Excel and other data processing software, such Google Sheets.

• Proficiency and experience with StarRez and/or other information management systems such as Salesforce, Maxient, and Touchnet.

• Demonstrated success in personnel and fiscal management, including the ability to manage a departmental budget and to hire, supervise, and retain outstanding talent.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to