ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, Division of Student Life, Residence Life at InsideHigherEd

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, Division of Student Life, Residence LifeJob Description ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, Division of Student Life, Residence Life Category Charles River Campus --> Professional Job Location BOSTON, MA, United States Tracking Code 25500973241208 Posted Date 12/8/2025 Salary Grade Grade 49 Expected Hiring Range Minimum $68,775.00 Expected Hiring Range Maximum $80,000.00 The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Position Type Full-Time/Regular The Associate Director of Residence Life for Staff Development is a key operational leader responsible for shaping a modern, inclusive, and high-performing residential experience. This role is responsible for advancing the effectiveness, consistency, and responsiveness of the professional staff team through strategic recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance development initiatives. The Associate Director fosters a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring that staff are equipped to support student success and uphold community standards. This position supervises Assistant Directors and plays a central role in building a cohesive, student-centered team. The Associate Director collaborates closely with campus partners on DEI initiatives and serves as a thought partner to the Director of Residence Life in advancing departmental goals and strategic planning. The ideal candidate is proactive, data-driven, and comfortable leveraging technology and analytics to inform decision-making, track staff performance and absences, and optimize operations. This position plays a critical role in strengthening Residence Life's capacity to support students and respond effectively to the demands of a complex, fast-paced university environment. Essential Responsibilities: Leadership and Team Development Supervise and support Assistant Directors, providing clear expectations, regular feedback, structured accountability, operational insight, and individualized professional development plans. Cultivate a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes morale, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to student success. Foster a results-oriented departmental culture centered on high standards, effective communication, and continuous process improvement through professional development organizations, and Boston University offerings. Recognize and celebrate staff contributions through formal and informal appreciation efforts. With other Associate Directors, lead the department when the Director is away from campus. Represent the department at key university events and initiatives and emergency response efforts. Staff Recruitment, Training, and Development Lead comprehensive recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes for Residence Hall/Area Directors and Assistant Directors that ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency. Design, develop, and implement robust and comprehensive onboarding and training programs that reflect data and performance trends, operational effectiveness, responsiveness, role clarity, and best practices in student affairs and higher education. Plan and facilitate ongoing professional development for Residence Life staff, with a focus on leadership, communication, skill building, and student engagement. Promote professional development opportunities for professional staff members. Champion a continuous learning environment that supports staff growth, retention, and advancement. Ensure staff are trained and prepared to respond to student needs, uphold community standards, and manage crisis situations effectively. Strategic Planning and Innovation Contribute to long-range planning and the development of departmental goals aligned with the university's mission and strategic priorities. Lead special projects and initiatives that modernize and elevate the Residence Life experience and strengthen the overall Residence Life operation. Establish tracking systems to monitor training participation, staff attendance, and overall performance. Identify and implement technology solutions to streamline operations, improve internal processes, and enhance staff effectiveness and productivity. Promote data-informed decision-making and assessment practices across the department to guide decision-making and address gaps. Collaboration and Crisis Response Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., BUPD, Public Safety, Student Health, Behavioral Medicine, Dean of Students) to manage and respond to student crises and community concerns and ensure coordinated support. Provide leadership in managing complex student issues and emergency situations. Participate in the on-call rotation and ensure staff are trained in emergency response protocols. Community and Belonging Foster a welcoming and respectful environment for all professional staff through equitable hiring practices, thoughtful training programs, and inclusive operational approaches. Promote a residential and workplace culture where all individuals feel valued, supported, and are able to thrive across lines of identity, experience, and perspective. Required Skills Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field. 8-10 years of progressive experience in residence life or student affairs. Demonstrated success in leading team development and supervising and motivating professional staff. Strong written, verbal, organizational communication, and public speaking skills. Demonstrated success in designing, executing, and evaluating staff development and training initiatives Experience with onboarding, training, and performance management. Deep understanding of student support needs, residential operations, and crisis response protocols. Proficiency with data systems, assessment tools, and emerging technologies and the ability to apply technology solutions to increase efficiency, support staff operations, and inform operational strategy. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Solutions-oriented leader with experience developing and implementing innovative strategic plans in a high-volume, fast-paced work environment. Preferred Qualifications Experience with change management and organizational development. Knowledge of current trends in residential education and student engagement. Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional teams. Experience with learning management systems or training platforms. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate vision and mission through meetings, presentations, reports, and various communication channels (e.g., websites, social media). Organizational Skills: Exemplary organizational, management, and leadership skills. Ability to conceptualize and prioritize objectives, manage complex projects, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders. Ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team. Cultural Competence: Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills for engaging with individuals from a range of cultural backgrounds and identities. Demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive environment. Problem-Solving: Demonstrated problem identification and resolution skills. Ability to make informed decisions and take decisive action in complex and nuanced situations. Ethical Conduct: Strong understanding of ethical professional conduct and best practices in student affairs. Ability to uphold and model high standards of professionalism and integrity. Additional Information Work Schedule: This live-in position requires evening and weekend responsibilities, including participation in an on-call rotation. Professional Development: The Associate Director of Residence Life for Staff Development will be expected to engage in ongoing professional development and maintain active membership in relevant professional associations. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Required SkillsJob Location: BOSTON, MAPosition Type: Full-Time/RegularSalary Grade: $68,775.00-$80,000.00To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/316170Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-ffdc4c2203e50644854ebcbd1ebd4764