Director Resident Life

Position Summary:

The Director of Residential Life provides leadership and oversight of the school’s boarding program and is responsible for creating a safe, supportive, and engaging residential experience for students. This role manages the day-to-day operations of student life outside the classroom while building a strong sense of community and belonging.

The Director works closely with students, families, faculty, and residential staff to support student well-being, accountability, and personal growth.

This is an exciting and important moment in the residential life program with the opening of a fully renovated wing expanding the program to up to 100 residential students.

Director of Residential Life –12 Month Exempt

Essential Functions:

Residential Program Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of the boarding program, including daily operations and student life
• Establish clear expectations for student conduct and community standards
• Develop and implement programs that support student engagement and leadership
• Develop, review, and maintain the Student Resident Life Handbook and Employee Resident Life Handbook, ensuring policies are clear, current, and consistently applied
• Set clear expectations for student behavior and community standards, and ensure they are communicated, understood, and consistently enforced

Student Support and Supervision

• Build strong relationships with boarding students and maintain a visible presence in the residential community
• Support students’ social and emotional development
• Partner with counselors, advisors, and school leadership to support student success

Staff Leadership and Management

• Hire, train, and supervise dorm parents and residential staff including an associate director.
• Provide clear expectations, feedback, and ongoing support
• Create and manage duty schedules to ensure appropriate coverage

Operations and Logistics

• Oversee residential facilities to ensure they are safe, organized, and well maintained
• Coordinate student arrivals, departures, and weekend programming
• Manage residential budgets and resources

Safety and Risk Management

• Ensure appropriate supervision and adherence to school policies
• Respond to student concerns, disciplinary issues, and emergencies
• Maintain accurate records and documentation

Community and Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for boarding families
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians
• Maintain close partnerships with teachers, coaches, counselors, and learning support.
• Partner with school leadership to support a consistent student experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Experience working with high school students in a residential or school setting
• Leadership and team management experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Sound judgment and the ability to manage sensitive situations

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout campus and residential facilities, including walking between buildings and navigating stairs
• Ability to respond to student needs and emergencies at any time, including evenings and overnight.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move items up to 25 pounds, such as luggage or supplies
• Ability to remain active and engaged during events, activities, and extended workdays
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the role

Work Environment and Expectations

• This is a 12-month, live-in position with on-campus housing and meals provided
• Requires evening and weekend availability and participation in an on-call rotation
• The Director is expected to be an active and visible presence in the school community including convocations, senior events and in athletics.

The residential program is a central part of the student experience. The Director of Resident Life helps create an environment where students feel supported, connected, and prepared for life beyond school.