The Residential Life and Housing Department at Saint John?s University invite applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefit eligible position of Director of Residential Life and Housing.
The Director of Residential Life and Housing at St. John?s University (SJU) oversees a comprehensive four-year residential program that fosters student growth, inclusivity, and a sense of community grounded in Benedictine values. Working collaboratively, the Director helps create a sophisticated, inclusive, and compelling four-year residential experience that develops men of character. The Director plays a key role in shaping a meaningful residential experience, managing housing logistics, budget planning, and meeting occupancy goals. This position requires active engagement with students, attending events, addressing student concerns, and supporting retention and belonging on campus.
 
The Director is also responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising staff, including the Assistant Director and Resident Assistants (RAs), and collaborates with Faculty Residents (FRs) to reinforce SJU's Benedictine and Catholic identity. This role demands adaptability and the ability to provide immediate, effective solutions in response to campus situations, ensuring alignment with SJU?s mission.
 
Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John?s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.
CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU.

• Advance the Benedictine and Catholic mission of Saint John?s University through leadership in Residential Life and Housing, fostering a community that promotes student growth and community stewardship.
• Manage all aspects of Residential Life and Housing, including budgeting, occupancy planning, marketing, housing selection, appeals, and communications for University publications.
• Develop and oversee the residential curriculum, initiatives, and policies to enhance the on-campus living experience and align with university values, working collaboratively with the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) Residential Life staff to support co-curricular and academic integration.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Deans of Students and other University colleagues to assess, define, and implement residential policies and housing procedures that promote community values, expectations, and responsibilities.
• Coordinate housing projections and maintain high occupancy and satisfaction by partnering with campus services (e.g., Admissions, Athletics, Physical Plant).
  • Supervise and mentor the Assistant Director of Residential Life.
  • Train and support Faculty Residents (FRs), emphasizing their role in providing pastoral service, mentoring, and fostering community stewardship through accountability. Advocate for FRs in promoting and upholding the University?s Benedictine mission of service and ministry across the community.
  • Maintain a collaborative relationship with the Abbot of Saint John?s Abbey and provide annual evaluations of monastic FRs to the Dean and Assistant Dean of Students for future appointment considerations.
• Guide Resident Assistant selection, training, and accountability in conjunction with Faculty Residents, promoting a culture of responsibility and collaboration within the Residential Life team.
• Create and execute strategies to evaluate and enhance the residential student experience and residential curriculum. Gather insights on student satisfaction with housing facilities through focus groups and engagement with student leadership organizations, including but not limited to the Student Senate, Johnnie Development Institute (JDI), Health Promotion groups, and the Student-Athletes Council (SJU SAC).
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean of Students on residential policies, code of conduct cases, and CARE concerns, addressing conflict and behavioral issues to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
• Oversee capital improvements and strategic planning for University housing: collaborate with the Associate Provost for Student Success, Deans and Assistant Deans of Students, Faculty Residents, and the Director of Physical Plant to develop, evaluate, and execute renovation or construction projects for student residences and associated facilities.
• Assist in developing and promoting the student orientation programs with Residential Life staff.  
• Serve on the Admin On-Call duty rotation for after-hours crisis management.
• Participate in institutional committees as assigned (e.g., Student Support Team, Health and Wellness initiatives).

• Master?s degree in related field or Bachelor?s degree with five years of professional or relevant graduate experience in residential life.
• Knowledge or experience in men?s development, leadership, and related issues.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant information platforms (e.g. Maxent, Simplicity, Slate, Starfish); preferred experience with housing software (e.g., StarRez, Adirondack, Yardi).
• Strong skills in organization, program management, public speaking, and staff training.
• Flexible schedule with availability for evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation.
• Ability to support the Benedictine and Catholic character and mission of SJU and CSB.
• Ability to interact as part of the CSB and SJU communities, uphold confidentiality, and support single-gender and co-educational environments.
• Ability to create and maintain a department budget.
• Willingness to live near the Saint John?s University campus.
• Capability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend events, respond to student concerns, and participate in on-call duties when necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Capability to perform desk work, including prolonged periods of sitting, typing, and computer use.
• Ability to move between residence halls, offices, and various campus facilities, frequently walking, and standing for extended periods during events and activities.

 

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