Director for Residence Life at Schwarzman College

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation, based in New York City and the Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing invite inquiries, nominations, and applications for their next director for residence life at Schwarzman College. This is an in-person, live-in leadership role based in Beijing, China.

Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious one-year, fully funded master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University, one of the world’s top universities. The Schwarzman Scholars program’s residential and academic center at Tsinghua University is called Schwarzman College, and includes living spaces, classrooms, a library, a dining hall, and many other student service areas. Schwarzman College is modeled after the residential colleges at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale, and proudly evokes historic Chinese characteristics. The Schwarzman Scholars program was created more than 10 years ago to cultivate the next generation of world leaders.

Reporting to the chief student affairs officer for the Schwarzman College, the Schwarzman Scholars program seeks a student-centered and culturally-competent housing and residential life professional to facilitate a meaningful, safe, and dynamic residential experience for a cohort of 150 international graduate students. The director will manage the day-to-day operations of the student housing program including supervision, housing assignments, crisis management, student conduct, and program development. They will work closely with the student life, academic, facilities, and cross-campus teams to support an exceptional residential student experience through intentional and impactful engagement strategies that enhance student learning.

The salary range for this position is $75,000-$90,000, and includes room and board.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and five years of professional experience in residence life, higher education, or a related field are required. Candidates must be native or fluent English speakers with exceptional written and oral communication skills.

A high level of cultural competence and the ability to embrace and navigate global perspectives are required. Candidates must have experience working with college students from diverse backgrounds and have crisis management, facilitation, and exceptional management and leadership experience.

A master’s degree in college student development, student affairs administration, college counseling, higher education administration, or a related field, and seven years of experience are preferred. Other preferred experience includes familiarity with China and/or the Mandarin language, studying or working abroad, and working directly with graduate students.
In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Demonstrates commitment to flexible hours, due to time zone differences and the nature of emergencies.

• Provides training and support to students on mental health, conflict mediation, intercultural adaptation, and crisis response.

• Manages accessibility requests for documented support needs.

• Navigates organizational politics across all entities invested in the Schwarzman Scholar program’s success.

• Applies management skills to address and prioritize organizational needs.

• Upholds a personal and professional commitment to excellence, maintaining the program’s tradition, quality, and global reputation by providing a world-class residential experience.

• Builds supportive and productive relationships by fostering open communication and creating inclusive, collaborative environments.

• Manages multiple priorities with ease.

Application and Nomination
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin August 27, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/6431572

• Contact Julie Leos at [email protected] for confidential inquiries.

• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

Visit the Schwarzman Scholars website at www.schwarzmanscholars.org

At Schwarzman Scholars, we believe in fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought, experience, and background is valued. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute their best work.