Director, Residence Life & Education

Classification Title:

DIR,Unv Housing Res Life

Job Description:

You belong at a university that’s leading the way!

The University of Florida is a dynamic community of collaborators attracting the brightest minds across disciplines and connecting them with world-class resources. As a top-ranked public land-grant institution and a proud member of the Association of American Universities, UF enrolls more than 55,000 students and fosters a rich, diverse academic environment. UF offers over 100 undergraduate programs, 200 graduate programs, and professional degrees in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Public National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, UF is a hub for innovation, research, and academic excellence. 

At UF, Student Life is at the heart of the Gator experience, offering a vibrant environment where students are prepared for lifelong success. With a focus on creating a sense of community, Student Life provides dynamic resources and champions meaningful experiences to position every Gator for success at UF and beyond. Housing & Residence Life plays a vital role in this mission by fostering community-centered living spaces where over 9,000 students find connection, support, and a place to call home. Together, UF’s Student Life and Housing & Residence Life ensure that our students have the tools, environment, and experiences needed to succeed.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Director for Housing & Residence Life, the Director leads a dedicated team of professional and student staff responsible for building community, supporting students holistically, and elevating student engagement, retention, and success. This position guides the housing student conduct process through a developmental approach and drives residential learning to enhance on-campus living in meaningful ways. As we strategically expand our on-campus footprint this position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

We are seeking an experienced professional with demonstrated expertise in residential life, who is not only knowledgeable but also forward-thinking. This position embraces innovation and strategic collaboration, harnesses the power of data-driven insights, and is ready to shape the future of on-campus living at the University of Florida.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise approximately 30 professional staff members, 8 graduate assistants, and 250 student leaders cultivating a high-performing, student-centered team.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, training, and ongoing development of residence life full-time and student staff.
• Foster a collaborative, and innovative workplace culture that emphasizes continuous learning, leadership, and professional growth.

Crisis Management & Student Support

• Serve as a key crisis responder, overseeing emergency protocols, and addressing student behavior and care concerns in collaboration with campus partners.
• Provide leadership to the housing student conduct process that mediates student concerns and helps students understand their responsibilities as a community member.
• Foster a culture of continuous care working closely with campus partners to support students in crisis.
• Strategically develop innovative residential learning programs that impact the student experience, drive belonging, and contribute to a shared sense of community.
• Ensure compliance with emergency preparedness plans, safety protocols, and risk management strategies.
• Participate in after-hours on-call rotation to address critical incidents within residential communities.

Administrative Leadership & Budget Management

• Develop and oversee the Residence Life & Education budget, ensuring financial stewardship and resource allocation.
• Collaborate on the development of departmental long-term strategic planning efforts ensuring alignment with Division of Student Life initiatives and UF’s strategic vision.
• Build strategic partnerships with academic units, university departments, Public-Private Partnership (P3) housing entities to maximize student development.
• Elevate the use of technology and information systems (e.g., Maxient, StarRez) to advance and improve services, retention, and the student experience.

 

The City of Gainesville

Gainesville is home to Florida's largest and oldest university, as well as a vibrant hub of educatio