Department

CSL South Campus Community Life

About the Department

The University of Chicago is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education and research. Campus and Student Life (CSL) carries the core mission of the University to all aspects of life outside the classroom. It enriches the lives of its students, staff, and faculty and academic staff members and contributes to a vibrant, collaborative, and diverse campus community that inspires excellence and sustains the University’s culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous learning. The unit also works to support the overall well-being of students, including their health and safety. This happens in the context of a campus located in a dynamic, thriving city, in which opportunities abound for students to learn from, contribute to, and engage with their urban environment. CSL is importantly charged with the dual task of promoting the interests of students in the University, and managing multiple campus departments and services that serve the entire campus community, including Athletics & Recreation; the Office of the Bursar; Center for Identity + Inclusion; Center for Leadership and Involvement; Disciplinary Affairs; Housing and Residence Life; International House; Office of International Affairs; Office of the University Registrar; Rockefeller Memorial Chapel; Spiritual Life; Student Centers; Student Disability Services; Student Wellness; UChicago Dining; and UChicago HELP. The University of Chicago community includes approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 10,500 graduate, professional, and other students and there are over 400 recognized student organizations working together to create a vibrant and dynamic student life.

The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park/South Kenwood neighborhood, a racially and economically diverse residential community of 43,000 people on the shores of Lake Michigan, about fifteen minutes south of downtown Chicago.

The core mission of Housing and Residence Life is to help develop and support inclusive communities that engage residents in exceptional living experiences within secure and well-maintained environments that foster a sense of belonging and support the academic initiatives of the University. The primary strategy for the delivery of such an environment is through a residence life program which aims to develop strong residential communities that are self-regulating, supportive of academic success; provide a strong sense of belonging, and rich opportunities for personal, cultural, social and intellectual development. The leadership of residential faculty and adult staff in fostering these experiences is key to the success of the mission.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Residence Life (ADRL) at the University of Chicago is instrumental in creating a supportive, engaging, and well-functioning residential experience for students. Reporting to the Associate Director of Residence Life, the ADRL manages multiple facets of student residential life, from direct oversight of residence communities to functional leadership in student support and operational excellence. This role ensures a safe, inclusive, and dynamic living environment for undergraduate students, aligning residence life practices with the University's mission of academic and personal development.

Responsibilities

Student Support and Mental Health Initiatives: The ADRL collaborates closely with the Associate Director of Community and Care, Community Director, and other campus partners to implement wellness programs and mental health resources within residence halls. They support student resilience and well-being by creating proactive support networks and providing guidance in mental health awareness for Resident Heads and Resident Assistants. As part of the on-call rotation, the ADRL also addresses critical incidents, ensuring timely intervention and follow-up for student needs related to health, discipline, and safety.

Community Engagement and Program Innovation: The ADRL cultivates a thriving community culture through innovative, student-centered programming that aligns with the university’s mission. They design and support activities that promote intellectual, cultural, and social development, supporting a strong sense of belonging and academic focus. Partnering with the Community Director, student leaders, and Resident Heads, the ADRL fosters engagement at both House and Hall levels, developing programs that celebrate diversity in thought and encourage active student involvement. They also advise Inter-House Council and conduct workshops tailored to residential student needs.

Professional Development and Staff Training: Overseeing training and development, the ADRL leads annual and ongoing professional development programs for Resident Heads and Resident Assistants. They implement structured training that covers student support, emergency response, and leadership skills, empowering staff to meet students' evolving needs. This includes conducting evaluations, mentoring staff, and continually enhancing training materials to reflect best practices and new insights from assessment data.

Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficient in Maxient, StarRez, Roompact, and other data management tools, the ADRL uses data-driven insights to support residential trends and track programming effectiveness. By analyzing this data, the ADRL can identify areas for early intervention, adjust programmatic approaches, and enhance communication within the residential communities. They coordinate with the Assistant Director of Operations to ensure that residence facilities are well-maintained, resolving facility issues swiftly to create a comfortable and safe living environment.

Evaluation Metrics and Continuous Improvement: The ADRL is responsible for setting performance goals and evaluation metrics, including increasing student engagement, optimizing resident satisfaction, and reducing turnover among residence staff. They leverage assessment tools to gauge the impact of residence life programs, conducting periodic reviews of policies and procedures to ensure alignment with the department’s mission. Insights from these evaluations inform policy revisions and program improvements, contributing to a continuously evolving residence life experience.

Operational and Budgetary Oversight: Managing budgets for residence life programs, the ADRL ensures financial responsibility and alignment with departmental goals. They guide Resident Heads and House Councils in financial planning, providing resources and counseling on budget management for community programming. Regular collaboration with central operations staff ensures a cohesive approach to resource allocation and program delivery.

Summer Conference Program Support: As an ADRL, your summer responsibilities will include overseeing housing for UChicago undergraduate students and non-UChicago interns, as well as providing strategic support for the summer conference program. Your leadership will be key in ensuring smooth operations, optimizing resources, and guiding CDs through the logistics of summer housing. You’ll also play a vital role in preparing for the upcoming academic year by reviewing and updating policies, onboarding staff, and participating in professional development. Additionally, you will join the HRL summer duty rotation, providing on-call support as needed. Flexibility and proactive problem-solving will be essential for success during this dynamic period.

Assistant Directors are assigned to one of the four major functional areas of Residence Life:

Assistant Director for Training: The Assistant Director for Training develops comprehensive training programs to support the professional growth of residential staff. They enhance staff readiness and retention through structured training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Engagement: The Assistant Director for Student Leadership cultivates a robust culture of leadership within residential communities by developing and implementing comprehensive leadership programs. They empower students with essential skills for success across academic, personal, and professional settings, while also advising the Inter-House Council and facilitating workshops and training sessions on leadership topics tailored to the needs and interests of residential students.

Assistant Director for Residential Learning and Assessment: The Assistant Director for Residential Learning and Assessment integrates learning outcomes, and assessment practice into residential programs. They enrich educational experiences within residential communities and analyze assessment data to inform stakeholders and drive program enhancements.

Assistant Director for Recruitment and Selection: The Assistant Director for Recruitment & Selection plays a crucial role in securing top talent for the University of Chicago’s residential staff. This position involves developing and implementing comprehensive recruitment strategies, coordinating inclusive selection committees, designing equitable evaluation processes, and overseeing smooth onboarding procedures to cultivate a robust and dynamic residential team.

Supervises and evaluates the housing system’s professional and support staff. Prepares and implements housing policies and procedures.

Participates in the selection, training, and management of the Residence Life team.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree.

Experience:

Minimum of three years  of post-masters professional live-in work   experience in student housing. 

Working with faculty.

Coordinating academic based programs in a residential setting.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Familiarity with Maxient or other conduct systems as well as a housing database software (Star Rez) a plus.

Preferred Competencies

Demonstrated understanding of the developmental objectives of the college student residential environment.

Crisis management response and oversight skills.

Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.

Ability to remain organized and productive in high demand periods.

Ability to remain calm and productive while interacting with individuals displaying intense emotions.

Ability to respond promptly, directly, and effectively to internal and external inquiries and requests for service while managing competing demands.

Ability to work productively with a diverse range of students, residential staff and faculty, and managers across the campus.

Ability to function in a 24-hour on-call environment and maintain productivity.

Ability to give and receive feedback constructively.

Flexibility and the ability to adjust to unpredictable circumstances.

A sense of humor.

Experience supervising graduate level and/or professional level staff.

Experience working with faculty.

Experience coordinating academic based programs in a residential setting.

Working Conditions

The typical work week is M-F, with routine requirements for evening and weekend work. This is a 12-month live-off position.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)

Cover Letter (required)

References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$63,750.00 - $75,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.