Associate Director for Residential Living

The Associate Director for Residential Living plays a vital role in leading and managing the day-to-day operations of multiple housing areas, including both first-year and upperclassmen housing. This position involves providing strategic direction for various Residence Life functions, with a focus on enhancing the student residential experience, promoting community engagement, and ensuring student success through both professional and student staff leadership.

FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We value employees who successfully work with others and drive positive change through critical thinking and decisive action. If you thrive in an environment of innovation, accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good home here.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Leads, mentors, and supervises a team of assistant directors, with additional indirect oversight of resident directors and student staff. Ensures ongoing professional development through targeted training, performance evaluations, and leadership support.
• Spearheads the creation and execution of comprehensive training programs for both professional and student staff, ensuring that all members of the Residence Life team are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
• Oversees Residence Life recruitment, selection, and retention efforts for both professional and student staff, ensuring the development of a knowledgeable and committed team.
• Provides leadership and support for student leadership initiatives within the residence halls, including programs like the Resident Housing Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary, empowering students to take active roles in shaping their communities.
• Contributes to the creation of a supportive residential environment by supporting the student conduct process, acting as a conduct officer for more complex cases involving alleged code of conduct violations.
• Assists with the management of the Residence Life budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and in line with departmental goals.
• Collaborates with academic partners to design and implement programs and events that foster student success and retention and provides detailed reporting and data analysis for campus stakeholders.
• Provides guidance to professional and student staff in cultivating meaningful community engagement as part of the residential curriculum model, fostering a sense of belonging and personal growth among residents.
• Responds to crisis situations, offering direction and support to Residence Life staff in an on-call capacity, ensuring a swift and effective response to emergencies.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of departmental strategies and objectives to ensure alignment with broader institutional goals.
• Designs and delivers presentations, workshops, and training materials that support staff development, student engagement, and community-building efforts.
• Provides leadership in the absence of the Director, providing supervision and continuity for the department.
• Supports the preparation of monthly, semester/term, and annual reports, tracking key residential trends and outcomes related to the residential curriculum.
• Collaborates with Housing and Residence Life colleagues in the areas of assignments, operations, maintenance, and other critical business functions to ensure smooth and effective housing operations.
• Assists with the logistical planning and execution of residence hall openings, closings, and other departmental transitions, ensuring a seamless experience for students and staff.
• Addresses student and parent concerns, offering thoughtful and timely solutions, and referring cases to the appropriate resources when necessary.
• Co-leads Residence Life team meetings and actively participate in other departmental and institutional meetings as scheduled.

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either ten years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional housing, residence life, student services, student affairs, or related experience.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling, or related degree.
• Experience supervising the work of support and professional employees.
• Experience engaging in the live-in/live-on residential experience and creating purposeful academic initiatives within the residence halls.
• Experience with best practices in addressing and managing crisis situations effectively.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challenges with creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, and holding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively across teams.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Banner and Workday.
• Knowledge and practical application of occupancy management principles.
• Knowledge of accounts receivable principles, practices, and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with staff, faculty, students, and the community in a service-oriented environment.
• Ability to work successfully as both a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations when numerous and competing demands are involved.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, goals and objectives.
• Ability to effectively manage the work of others by providing information, guidance, and motivation.
• Ability to utilize data and information to make decisions and projections.
• Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary.

Institutional Values & Behavioral Expectation:

In this role, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Seek out new approaches to improve outcomes; remain open for feedback and new ideas.
• Lead with integrity; consistently produce high-quality work; persevere to overcome obstacles to meet deadlines and achieve deliverables.
• Share information and insights thoughtfully; build partnerships across departments; communicate respectfully; support colleagues to achieve common goals.

Pay Grade 18

The position is listed as “open until filled”; however, applications received by December 1, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.