University of Delaware
Executive Director of Residence Life & Housing

The University of Delaware (UD) is a land, sea, and space grant institution located in Newark, Delaware, with additional campuses located in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Lewis. As a technically advanced institution founded in 1793, UD is proud of its strong tradition of distinguished scholarship and over 200,000 alumni worldwide. With successful progress toward their mission, students and administrators seek to develop knowledge, cultivate learning, and support the free exchange of ideas. UD supports a total enrollment of 23,613 students who enjoy over 150 majors and minors, and over 250 graduate and post-baccalaureate programs in ten colleges and schools.

Residence life & housing is organizationally aligned within the Division of Student Life, which was recognized as one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The Division of Student Life advances equity and inclusion, deepens student learning, and drives holistic development through education, experiences, and communities. Additionally, the division aims to lead a dynamic student experience and vibrant campus culture so all UD Blue Hens thrive throughout their lives.

Newark is conveniently located one mile south of the tripoint, where Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania meet, and within one hour of Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, MD.

The Position

Reporting to the assistant vice president for student experience and belonging, the executive director of residence life & housing provides leadership for advancing the divisional strategic focus on the campus residential community, comprising over 40 residential buildings, which house approximately 7,200 residential students. The executive director is a strategic partner with student life departments and frequently collaborates with units such as facilities, real estate & auxiliary services, and academic units to enhance the overall residential experience.

The new executive director must ensure optimal utilization of resources and effective operations within the department. Additionally, direct data and assessment must be used to inform long-range strategic planning and budget forecasting for residence life & housing. The new executive director will have the opportunity to serve as a senior leader within the Division of Student Life and work towards divisional goals and strategic initiatives to meet students' holistic learning and developmental needs. Additionally, as a key stakeholder for the student residential experience, they will assume leadership for residence hall and residential master planning for new builds and strategies to modernize existing facilities. They will be responsible for the overall development of crisis planning, response and management.

This student success-focused position directly supervises an administrative specialist, and two directors. Additionally, they will indirectly supervise 33 full time and graduate staff, and approximately 200 student employees. The executive director oversees an operational budget of approximately $7 million.

Qualifications

A master's degree in higher education administration or a related field and a minimum of ten years of significant professional experience and comprehensive knowledge of residence life, housing, and student personnel administration are required.

The successful candidate will have advanced knowledge of campus student housing, organizational and group dynamics, and quality service standards and procedures. Must have the ability to successfully partner with a wide range of stakeholders and constituents on a highly residential campus setting to properly champion the residential experience through campus master planning, renovation and new construction.

UD seeks candidates who possess a successful track record of approaching the work of campus student housing through the lens of student learning and student success.

Application and Nomination

Review of applications will begin September 5, 2023, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at https://apptrkr.com/4467669. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Julie A. Leos at jal@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Delaware is a state that does not require public salary disclosure. For salary information, please contact Julie A. Leos.

Visit the University of Delaware website at www.udel.edu

AA/EOE Statement

The University of Delaware is committed to assuring equal opportunities to all persons and strives to hire, retain, and promote highly qualified faculty and staff without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, marital status, genetic information, age, disability, veteran or handicapped status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or other protected status, except when one or more of the factors is considered a bona fide occupational qualification and/or when an accommodation would cause undue hardship to the university.

Diversity Statement

The University of Delaware's educational mission is to prepare students to live in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. To do so, we are committed to fostering a robust educational environment that supports critical thinking, free inquiry, and an understanding of diverse views and values. We see diversity as a core value and guiding principle for our educational mission and thus must work to make diversity an integral part of everyday life on campus.