Director of the Residential Experience

Job Title

Director of the Residential Experience

Agency

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Department

Housing Department

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Corpus Christi, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs.  As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies.

 

TAMU-CC’s beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities.

 

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PURPOSE

The Director of the Residential Experience will provide leadership and vision to multiple professional and paraprofessional staff as Islander Housing continues to build the first university team to manage Islander Housing after decades of providing privatized student housing. The director must be a gifted and experienced communicator, able to effectively articulate vision and mission verbally (meetings, presentations, trainings, workshops), in writing (manuals, handbooks, marketing materials), and via multiple modalities such as the web site, email, phone, and social media. The director will be a key member of the Islander Housing Leadership Team and will have supervisory responsibility for two assistant directors, a communications specialist, and an administrative associate. Islander Housing is comprised of two distinct properties: Momentum Village (primarily 4-person apartments and townhomes) and Miramar (residence halls and apartments), totaling 2833 beds. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director to custom-build a unique and institutionally relevant residential experience that enhances TAMUCC residential students’ success and engagement at both properties of Islander Housing. The program will be informed by promising practices and data, while emphasizing innovative, intentional, relationship-focused approaches with a high-probability of influencing academic achievement, persistence, community development and institutional affinity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership/Human Resource Management (40%)

• Develop and lead the Islander Housing residential experience for over 2800 students ensuring a residential experience that enhances student success, assists with student recruitment and retention, and builds a relationship of trust with students, parents, families, and all stakeholders that Islander Housing is committed to providing safe and secure residential communities where all students feel a sense of place and belonging and can thrive.

• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, coach, and encourage professional staff (2 Assistant Directors, 4 Residence Life Coordinators, 1 communication specialist, 1 administrative associate) and student staff (40-50 Resident Assistants and additional student positions as needed).

• Facilitate the workflow of assistant directors and residential life coordinators to prioritize relationships (knowing and being known), taking intentional action steps to equip staff and students to be good stewards of their physical and relational environments, conducting health and safety checks, educational programming targeting practical skill building in the areas of facility care, communication and negotiation, conflict resolution, and community development.

• Oversee, coordinate, and communicate all aspects of Islander Housing human resources in close coordination with the Executive Director and the staff team in TAMUCC Human Resources and Student Employment.

Communications/Public Relations (30%)

• Ensure that both internal and external communications are welcoming and student-centered and to cultivate a residential experience staff team focused on relationship building and effectively communicating opportunities and expectations.

• Oversee the complex and nuanced move-in and move-out processes for all of Islander Housing focusing on welcoming parents, families, and students each fall and spring, and bringing closure to each fall, spring, and summer session.  Move-in and move-out procedures and processes must be clear and executed with care and precision.

• Address student and parent concerns regarding student behavior, conflict resolution, code of conduct violations, mental health considerations, roommate conflicts and maintain effective communications with the Executive Director and other campus leadership as appropriate.

• Remain active in professional development practices and keep informed of trends and best practice initiatives within higher education and residential housing and make recommendations for continuous improvement and enhancements.

• Maintain an active presence Housing and University at Islander events.

• Serve as a member of an on-call rotation of Islander Housing executive leadership to respond to emergencies and assist Islander Housing staff with issues encountered outside of normal business hours.

Planning, Assessment, and Evaluation (30%)

• Enhance student success and engagement through effective collaboration and partnering with various university departments to support and ensure participation and engagement of Islander Housing residents in campuswide opportunities such as educational programs, events, student activities, athletic competitions, workshops, and leadership development.

• Liaison with the planners and coordinators of major campus events such as the Beach Bash, Family Weekend, and Homecoming to ensure awareness and active participation of residents in these and other opportunities.

• Work with the Executive Director, Director for Administration and Operations, the Superintendent of Maintenance, and the Associate Director for Business and Finance, to develop Islander Housing room rates, damage billing, professional development resources, programming funds, marketing & communications allocations, plan for long-range capital expenditures.

• Assess and update guidelines and standard operating procedures, the resident handbook, and staff manual.

• Oversee an annual budget allocation for assigned areas.

• Lead assessment efforts for Islander Housing in close communication with the AVP for Student Affairs, focusing on the effectiveness of all components of the Islander Housing residential experience utilizing CAS and ACUHO-I standards, surveys, and coordinate assessment efforts with those of key university partners within SEAS, Student Success, Athletics, Admissions, and other specific assessment priorities such as those associated with accreditation.

• Review and possess a strong understanding of emergency procedures, trainings, and drills related to fire, weather or other campus emergency situations and act as the Evacuation Director in the event of a hurricane/other emergency.

• Coordinate emergency housing/transportation and evacuate with students to an off-site location in the event of an emergency weather situation until the emergency has ended to ensure students’ physical needs are met.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and reports as assigned by the Executive Director.  Present data and/or trainings at departmental and divisional meetings as requested.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant university policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Master's degree in higher education administration, communications, business administration, or a related field preferred.

• Ten (10) years professional experience with seven (7) years of experience being within higher education.

• Additional experience may be considered as a substitute for the minimum education requirement: Bachelor's degree and twelve (12) years of professional related experience with seven (7) years of experience being within higher education.

• Demonstrated experience working within complex and nuanced circumstances and situations with multiple stakeholders with limited or no specific direction, including supervision and/or leadership experience.

• Familiarity with budgets and standard operating procedure development.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals from various backgrounds and identities.

• Demonstrated ability to learn new skills, plan events, assess programs, and take initiative.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with peers, other departments and stakeholders, and direct reports to build positive relationships.

• Experience with technology tools commonly used in higher education.

SALARY

• The salary range for this position will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)

From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.

Insurance :

• Medical

  • $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).

  • Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:

    • Employee and Spouse

    • Employee and Children

    • Employee and Family coverage

• Dental & Vision

• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account

On-campus wellness opportunities

Work Life Solutions:

• Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources

Tuition Benefits:

• Public Loan Forgiveness

• Book scholarships

• 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).

Retirement

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)

• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

Time Off:

• 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.

• 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.

• 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.

• 12-15 paid holidays each year.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.