Assistant Director, Student Life - Live On

Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.

Assistant Director, Student Life, Messina College
Office of Residential Life, Division of Student Affairs

Located on the Brookline Campus of Boston College, Messina College offers a two-year, fully residential, associate degree program for 100 high-need, first-generation students per year.

The Assistant Director, Student Life plays a central role in cultivating an engaging and supportive campus environment that fosters belonging, leadership development, and student success.

This is a 12‑month, live‑in position with academic year and summer responsibilities. The Assistant Director provides leadership for residential life and student engagement on the Brookline Campus through community programming, supervision of graduate and undergraduate student staff, oversight of residential facilities, crisis response, and close collaboration with campus partners. As a member of the Messina College student success team, this role supports students through proactive engagement, coordination with campus resources, and holistic support.

The Assistant Director, Student Life interacts regularly with the administration of Messina College, Dean of Students Office, Boston College Police Department, Custodial Services and Facilities, Office of Student Involvement, the Division of Mission and Ministry, Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercultural Center, Montserrat Coalition, Dining Services, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Community Engagement & Student Development

• Cultivate a positive residential environment that promotes belonging, connection, and student formation rooted in Jesuit values
• Maintain strong visibility and availability through regular community presence, programs, and informal interaction with students
• Develop and implement a comprehensive campus student engagement model
• Provide personal, social, and academic support and referrals to students
• Publish a weekly community‑wide newsletter highlighting campus resources and opportunities
• Mediate roommate conflicts and facilitate room changes when appropriate

Student Engagement & Programming

• Design, plan, and implement a range of social, cultural, educational, and mission‑centered programs for the Brookline Campus
• Supervise the Graduate Assistant for Events and Engagement to develop and execute summer and academic year programming.
• Advise student leaders and campus organizations, including providing financial and programmatic oversight
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to deliver meaningful co‑curricular experiences
• Support major Messina College initiatives such as Orientation, Welcome Week, Summer Programming, and signature campus events
• Responsible for aligning processes with Division of Student Affairs goals to ensure successful, outcome-driven student programming
• Monitor and manage programming budgets and ensure effective use of resources

Supervision, Administration & Operations

• Supervise, train, and evaluate graduate assistants, resident assistants, and student workers
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Residential Education on resident assistant selection, training, and individual development conversations with student staff
• Coordinate with the Housing Operations team on daily operations of assigned residence halls, including opening and closing processes, key management, and room change processes
• Conduct regular health, safety, and facilities inspections and coordinate maintenance concerns
• Support departmental initiatives, committee work, and operational planning
• Regular communication with students, families, and campus stakeholders, management of room reservations, program planning, facilities work orders, etc.

Crisis Response & Student Conduct

• As the live‑in professional staff member on the Brookline Campus, the Assistant Director will be called upon to respond to student emergencies, including physical and mental health concerns, facilities issues, interpersonal conflicts, and students in crisis or distress.
• Serve as an Administrative Hearing Officer for residential student conduct cases and manage conduct caseload of Gradaute Resident Director
• Adjudicate violations of the Code of Conduct and Conditions of Residency using a formative, educational approach
• Collaborate with campus partners to support students in crisis

Each staff member in the Division of Student Affairs is expected to support division and university-wide initiatives, staff events, and serve on committees as needed.

Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $55,100 to $68,900; salary commensurate with relevant experience.

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Student Personnel Administration, Higher Education Administration or related fields.
• One year graduate experience in Residential Life and/or experience as a Residential Assistant.
• One year graduate or professional experience cultivating student engagement and developing student programs.
• Experience with multicultural student leadership and programming preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse populations and creating inclusive and belonging work environments.
• Ability to respond and manage crisis situations.
• Experience at providing academic support services to undergraduate students.
• Ability to provide leadership and effective supervision of personnel and programs.
• Knowledge and experience with the assessment of student programs.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding and supportive of the Jesuit Catholic mission of Boston College.
• Evening and weekend work required.