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Position Information

Posting Number 20113147

Position Title Director, Housing & Residence Life

FTE 1.0

Position Type Staff

Department Cardinal Village Operations

Position Summary Information

Job Summary/Basic Function

About This Role:

The Director of Housing and Residence Life provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of the university’s residential housing program, including Cardinal Village. This role is responsible for fostering a safe, and student-centered living environment that supports academic success, student engagement, and retention. The Director manages a broad portfolio encompassing residential life, facilities operations, budgeting, marketing, student conduct, and summer housing programs.

Serving as a key liaison across campus, the Director collaborates with departments such as Facilities, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and University Police to ensure seamless service delivery and alignment with institutional goals. The position oversees a team of professional and student staff, leads departmental assessment and policy development, and ensures compliance with university and state regulations. The Director also plays a critical role in crisis response, emergency preparedness, and student support services.

What You’ll Do – Position Responsibilities:

+ Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of residence life, including housing assignments, student services, facilities management, budgeting, marketing, and summer housing programs.

+ Collaborate across university departments (e.g., Facilities, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, IT, and University Police) to ensure seamless service delivery and alignment with institutional goals.

+ Oversee staffing and professional development, including hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of professional, administrative, and student staff.

+ Lead crisis response and student support efforts, including on-call coverage, emergency preparedness, and coordination with health, conduct, and Title IX offices.

+ Direct departmental planning and assessment, including policy development, occupancy forecasting, marketing strategy, and evaluation of student satisfaction and learning outcomes.

Key Competencies: (KSAs – Knowledge Skills and Abilities)

+ Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage a mid-sized, complex organization responsible for on-campus housing and essential residential services, including support for students, staff, faculty, and summer programs.

+ Student-Centered Philosophy: Strong understanding of the role campus housing plays in student retention, engagement, and success, and how it integrates within the broader Student Affairs and university mission.

+ Educational Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of student development theory and the educational impact of residential life on the student experience.

+ Collaborative Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups.

+ Professional Communication: Communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders through clear, concise, and professional reports, presentations, and conversations, fostering transparency and trust.

Physical Requirements:

+ Must be able to lift to 30 pounds and remain standing or walking for extended periods.

+ Requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak periods (e.g., move-in, move-out, summer transitions).

+ Must be available to respond to emergencies, including remaining on-site during severe weather events and directing student evacuations.

+ Must reside within 30 miles of the Lamar University campus to ensure a timely response to campus needs.

+ Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods and perform repetitive hand/wrist movements for computer-based tasks.

+ Must be able to move between worksites as needed to fulfill job responsibilities.

Job Conditions:

+ Position requires on-site presence and availability during non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and university holidays, particularly during peak operational periods.

+ Must be available for emergency response, including remaining on campus during severe weather events or other critical incidents.

+ Work is performed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that requires adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

+ Occasional travel may be required for professional development, conferences, or university-related business.

+ This is a live-off position, but the incumbent must reside within 30 miles of campus to ensure timely response to urgent matters

Who We Are:

Home to more than 17,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.

Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.

Benefits:

+ Health, dental & vision insurance

+ Life insurance

+ State of Texas Retirement plans

+ Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents.

+ Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays.

To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits – Lamar University (https://www.lamar.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/hr-services/benefits/index.html)

Minimum Qualifications

+ Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or similar discipline from an accredited university.

+ 7 + years of progressive leadership in housing and residential life, with direct supervision of professional staff and oversight of hall operations, facilities, and student council.

+ Proven experience managing large budgets with strong financial and operational acumen.

+ Demonstrated ability to lead teams, including hiring, training, and performance management of professional and support staff.

EEO Statement

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran's Preference Statement

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Doctorate in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.

+ Preferred experience with housing software, such as StarRez, Maxient, Banner, and facilities-related contract/bid processes.

+ Experience leading housing operations at a mid- to large-sized institution, including oversight of residence hall construction, renovation, or major capital projects.

+ Demonstrated success in strategic planning, assessment, and data-informed decision-making within a residential life context.

+ Experience fostering equitable, and supportive living-learning environments for student populations.

+ Familiarity with emergency response protocols and crisis management in a residential setting.

Security Sensitive Statement

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.

Salary $73,683 - $95,787

Work Hours

Application Information

Posting Date 07/18/2025

Close Date 10/17/2025

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions