Assistant Dean and Director of Housing Operations

Oberlin College & Conservatory, a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its assistant dean and director of housing operations. This is an on-site leadership role.

The next assistant dean and director of housing operations (assistant dean) will join a community where intellectual curiosity and artistic excellence thrive side by side. Oberlin College and Conservatory (Oberlin/the College) encourages deep collaboration across disciplines to inspire bold and creative ideas. As an innovator in this environment, the assistant dean must be a change-oriented leader, excited to explore and promote emerging opportunities and to deliver high-quality experiences and services for residential students.

Reporting to the assistant vice president and dean of residence life and auxiliary services (assistant vice president), the assistant dean supports a vision and strategy that shapes a robust and vibrant residential community at Oberlin. They are responsible for improving housing processes and programs, staff development, housing systems management, partnership engagement, and overall improvement of the housing experience.

The salary range for this position is $80,000-$85,000.

Qualifications
A master’s degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, or related field, and five to ten years of increasingly progressive leadership experience in residential life, housing operations, or equivalent skills gained from related student affairs administrative positions, are required. Demonstrated experience with residential community management software, preferably StarRez, is also required. Candidates must have an understanding of student development theory, cultural identity development, and the trajectories of growth and development that apply to traditional college-age student populations.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Working knowledge of legislation and regulations that affect residential life programs (e.g., Stop Hazing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, and Title IX, etc.).

• Strong track record of effective communication, collaboration, and cooperation with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and families.

• Demonstrated success in management, including supervision, effective delegation, and anticipating workflow cycles and timing demands.

• A willingness to step in to be a hands-on leader, addressing day-to-day challenges, meeting with students, and fostering open lines of communication to ensure a seamless residential experience for all students.

• Prior experience at a residential liberal arts college.

• Ability to quickly learn institutional culture and systems, enabling rapid and meaningful contributions to the campus community.

• Attentive and responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and staff, with a strong commitment to follow-through, clear communication, and high-quality service.

Application and Nomination
Oberlin College & Conservatory has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin April 7, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/6997641

• 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 Oberlin College & Conservatory website at www.oberlin.edu

Oberlin College and Conservatory is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an institutional environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, marital status, religion, creed, national origin, disability, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, family relationship to an employee of Oberlin College and Conservatory, and gender identity and expression.