Director of Residence Life (Residence Life Leader), Residence Life

Department

RESIDENCE LIFE

(BL-RSLF-IUBLA) Department Information At Indiana University (IU) Bloomington, we believe that "Involvement and Belonging" are the primary outcomes of a successful residential program. The Office of Residence Life is a "Promising Place to Work" that values operational strength, professional courage, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring no student walks their journey alone. Job Summary The Director of Residence Life is the operational leader and primary steward of Indiana University's residential campus. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Involvement and Belonging, the Director has the authority and responsibility to lead the mission, vision, and long-term sustainability of a program serving 12,000+ residents. The Director is an executive leader who recognizes that Residence Life is a critical component of the university's holistic infrastructure. This role requires an architect of community who can leverage campus support systems to drive community vibrancy, reduce student isolation, and ensure a high-performing, fiscally sound organizational structure. Department Specific Responsibilities Employs a "situational leadership" style, understanding how to lead a department that is a highly integrated, essential part of the larger university community. Establishes and directs the vision for Residence Life, ensuring it aligns with the

IUB 2030

Strategic Plan and the 2025 Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) Standards. The Director has the authority to implement internal policies, program parameters, and safety protocols. Provides the strategic direction necessary to drive innovation, excellence, and change management. The Director is responsible for the career development and situational mentorship of a large, diverse department. Directs an annual multi-million-dollar operating budget. Identify and pursue opportunities for strategic growth, environmental design, and external partnerships to enhance the vibrancy of the residential experience. Acts as the primary steward of the residential "sense of place." Ensures that the physical infrastructure of the 19 residence centers and apartment communities is optimized to support organic social connections and "making friends." Designs residential strategies that proactively reduce student isolation by creating "neighborhood" cultures where students can easily form meaningful peer networks. Facilitates opportunities for students to learn, grow, and develop life skills through social interaction and community involvement. Ensures Residence Life operates as a highly integrated partner within the university's broader infrastructure: Utilizes Campus Finance and Human Resources as vital infrastructure partners. While the Director leads the operational and talent management of the department, these partners provide the necessary data and institutional standards. Collaborates with the Office of Student Conduct and the Student Care and Resource Center to ensure that community standards are upheld through a lens of fairness, accountability, and support. Maintains high-level partnerships with Housing Operations and Assignments and IU Hospitality to ensure the "Total Residential Environment" is seamless. While this position typically follows traditional business hours, the Director serves as a primary point of contact for high-level crisis situations occurring in the residence halls or apartments. This person does not serve in a regular on-call rotation but is expected to be available to respond to phone calls and emergency situations that occur beyond traditional working hours when high-stakes incidents require executive-level intervention. Leads the departmental response to campus disruptions, coordinating with IU Police and General Counsel to ensure a safe and stable environment. General Responsibilities Contributes on senior leadership teams to formulate strategic planning and the highest-level operational objectives for residence life areas. Establishes long-term business plans and long-term strategic objectives. Directs leadership staff who provide supervision to residence life teams. Responsible for escalated operational issues, including human resources and/or people management situations. Drives innovation and excellence within the area of residence life; reviews and creates policies and procedures. Determines overall budget for residence life teams; reviews and approves financial proposals from direct reporting leaders; has significant fiscal responsibilities that require frequent interaction with executive leaders. Provides expertise and identifies grant and/or funding opportunities; develops business relationships across the university and externally. Stays up-to-date on new residence life standards, technologies, policies, and procedures and works collaboratively with other residence life leaders across departments and/or campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation by direct reporting leaders. Qualifications Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required Bachelor's degree in related field Preferred Master's degree in higher education student affairs or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required 5 years in residence life, higher education student affairs, or related field 3 years of management experience in relevant field SKILLS Required Proficient communication skills Maintains a high degree of professionalism Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills Demonstrates a high commitment to quality Excellent organizational skills Excellent collaboration and team building skills Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback Instills commitment to organizational goals Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills Effective conflict management skills Builds and manages effective teams Effective leadership skills Ability to represent the company with external constituents Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion Demonstrates analytical skills Demonstrates problem solving skills Working Conditions / Demands This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation. Additional Information Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply on or before April 17, 2026. Work Location Indiana University Bloomington. This is an person position. Advertised Salary $115,000.00 - $140,000.00 annual upon with education and experience. Benefits Overview For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental insurance Health savings account with generous IU contributions Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts Basic group life insurance paid by IU Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year Generous paid time off plans Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events Employee assistance program (EAP) Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Job Classification Career Level:

Strategic FLSA:

Exempt Job Function:

Student Services Job Family:

Residence Life Posting Disclaimer This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date. If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments. Equal Employment Opportunity Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information. Campus Safety and Security The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.

Contact Us Request Support Telephone:

812-856-1234