The Catholic University of America

In support of all aspects of the mission of the department and University, the Associate Director will coordinate and provide direct oversight of the occupancy management, extended occupancy housing, university affiliated housing, off-campus housing services, marketing, transition housing, and auxiliary and facilities management aspects of departmental operations.

The Associate Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating systems and processes that are student-centered, reflect institutional thinking, support the formation of community, foster student retention, and promote the development of the whole student.

The Associate Director ensures that programs and services are implemented with attention to high standards, quality, collaboration, and fiscal soundness. In addition, the Associate Director will support departmental and divisional programmatic initiatives that positively influence student retention, academic success, and enrichment.

The Associate Director is primarily responsible for the following:

• Coordinate and provide direct oversight to the occupancy management aspects of departmental operations including developing strategies for and ensuring the effective administration of occupancy management plans. 
• Coordinate and provide oversight for facilities management, residential technology, and conference support aspects of departmental operations.
• Create new and refine current off-campus housing services to support upper-level students who transition into the greater metropolitan
• Develop departmental marketing strategies and initiatives, focusing on websites, publications, forms, and model correspondence to ensure that messages are consistent and reflect institutional
• Coordinate and provide direct oversight to transitional housing periods within departmental operations. 
• Collaborate with University departments to ensure the seamless delivery of housing-related services to students, parents, and administrators
• Develop, coordinate, and implement systems and practices that ensure departmental operations are fiscally responsible, support student development needs, and are consistent with best practices in higher education.
• Strategic planning including the establishment of short-term and long-range goals and long-range goals and objectives.

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Campus Services and represents the department in a variety of public relations forums and University events.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $82,000. 

•  Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate outstanding, educational, and developmental systems and processes which supplement global university and departmental objectives.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate up-to-date protocols, policies, procedures, and practices that are communicated effectively to staff, students, and the broader University community.
  • Manage the recruitment, supervision, retention, training, development, and evaluation of staff resources, including student staff/interns and professional staff.
  • Develop and apply best and emerging practices, consistent with the Catholic Identity of the University.
  • Ensure compliance with national, local, and University laws, regulations, standards, and codes. Implement appropriate compliance measures. Maintain applicable housing records.
  • Develop initiatives to address student service satisfaction and continuous improvements through appropriate data collection, reports, and assessments.
  • Use and support information technology applications, including the implementation of data collection software.
  • Develop formal and collaborative working relationships with associated departments, including Residence Life; Events & Conference Services; Dining Services; Enrollment Services; Technology Services; Facilities Maintenance and Operations; Disability Support Services; Global Education; and General Counsel.
  • Remain actively engaged with appropriate and effective professional organizations.
• Coordinate and provide direct oversight to the occupancy management, extended occupancy housing, university affiliated housing, off-campus housing services, marketing, and auxiliary operations within the department. Develop and enhance a vision for responsibilities that provides and promotes outstanding, educational, developmental programs and services.
  • Develop strategies for and ensure the effective administration of occupancy management plans, including housing and dining contract oversight and development; room selection and assignments processes; occupancy reporting and trends; policy review and establishment; student billing and charges; and budgetary development and analysis.
  • Create, implement, and manage extended occupancy housing and university affiliated housing plans as needed to manage housing demand for students required to live on-campus.
  • Develop and refine off-campus housing services to support upper-level students who transition into the greater metropolitan community. Collaborate with the Dean of Students office and Student Conduct and Ethical Development office on outreach initiatives.
  • Develop departmental marketing strategies and initiatives; ensure that messages are consistent and reflect institutional thinking. Perform market studies for the development of, and prepare in coordination with University Communications, information to promote University residential facilities. Design, write, and coordinate the development of all printed and electronic housing informational materials.
  • Develop plans for managing transitional housing periods (including summer to fall, fall to spring, and spring to summer), opening and closing transitions (fall opening, fall closing, spring opening, and spring closing), and early arrival/late stay requests from students and University departments.
  • Directly manage the effective administration of residential facilities management plans, including: plan for furniture replacement; furniture inventory; residential capitol project requests; policy review and establishment; and damage billing and charges.
  • Utilize best practices in housing operations to improve programs and services to students and members of the University community to support the creation of seamless residential learning environments.
  • Provide guidance and assistance with the management plans of residential access systems to ensure the residential clearances are maintained, remain current, and provide the functionality necessary for a seamless delivery of services to students.
  • Implement streamlined systems and processes. Establish policies, procedures, protocols, and review plans that model customer service, are philosophically consistent with departmental expectations, clearly articulate departmental messages, and are appropriately applied.
  • Develop collaborative working relationships with associated departments, including Residence Life; Facilities Maintenance and Operations; Purchasing, Technology Services; Environmental Health & Safety, Events & Conference Services; Dining Services, Public Safety; Enrollment Services; and Disability Support Services.
• Serve as the departmental expert for and liaison to The Housing Director software 
  package.
  • Manage the student, assignment, billing, and room information in The Housing Director database.
  • Provide on-going training for The Housing Director database to staff in Housing Services, Residence Life, Dining Services, Campus Services, and other identified users as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in Technology Services to ensure the software is maintained, remains current, and provides the functionality necessary to provide seamless delivery of services to students.
  • Ensure compliance with national, local, and university laws, regulations, standards, and codes. Implement appropriate compliance measures.
  • Maintain official student housing records.
• Compile data and statistics, conduct research, and disseminate reports 
  concerning all aspects of occupancy management and marketing within housing services. Directly manage this information and serve as the departmental expert in this area.
  • Provide regular reports on strategic priorities, occupancy management, and revenue projections.
  • Develop budgetary submissions including cost comparisons with competitor institutions; housing demand analyses; comprehensive fee structures; and revenue projections in support of proposed renovations, improvements, essential programs, and services.
  • In collaboration with colleagues, develop intervention strategies for demonstrated (by behavior) at-risk students. Cross reference retention statistics with other assessment data collected by the Office of the Dean of Students and other University departments.
  • In collaboration with other departmental staff, maintain a list of housing facilities that are able to accommodate various students’ needs as recommended by Disability Support Services.
• Serve as a resource person for students, parents, and administrators. Participate in on-going programmatic initiatives and services that positively impact the recruitment, retention, and enrichment of students.
  • Implement a system to educate and inform the campus community of departmental initiatives. Serve as a liaison with faculty and staff to foster an understanding of departmental initiatives.
  • Create, develop, and implement strategic plans and intentional programming to support student retention and satisfaction with housing, including the publication of informational and educational materials.
  • Advise students in regards to intra- and interpersonal, social, and academic problems and make appropriate referrals to university services and resources when necessary.
  • Resolve student concerns, utilizing crisis intervention skills and resources.
  • Support curricular and co-curricular programs and services that improve/support student academic success, extra-curricular involvement, and student retention.
  • Participate in University initiatives that foster an environment of civility, accountability, and understanding.
  • Utilize existing and new communication tools (i.e. websites, list-serves, etc.) related to core functions.
• Departmental Leadership (general)
  • Acquire and maintain a strong working knowledge of related University departments, systems, and processes, including Residence Life, Events and Conference Services, Dining Services, Enrollment Services, Admission, Dean of Students, Disability Support Services, Global Education, Campus Ministry, Athletics, Facilities Maintenance and Operations, et al.
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with professional colleagues on and off campus.
  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of the student development field. Apply and share knowledge to produce fundamentally sound and creative solutions to critical student needs.
  • Serve on divisional committees and task forces as applicable.
  • Participate in and contribute to the strategic, operational, and budget planning processes of the department. Manage budgetary allocations.
  • Provide administrative coverage, in collaboration with other office staff, for Housing Services.
  • Support departmental response to emergency, crisis, and unusual situations involving students and/or the campus community.
  • Maintain high visibility and accessibility, and initiate regular communications with the university community, including executive management, students, faculty, and staff.
  • Create goodwill for the university in service to families of students, visitors, patrons, government officials, community leaders, and the general public.
  • Assist with the cultivation of positive community relations.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Office of Housing Services and the University by performing all other essential duties as assigned.

• A Bachelor's Degree
• At least three (3) years of professional experience in student life/higher education administration required, with a preferred emphasis on occupancy management, housing services, or conference services.
• Requires a thorough working knowledge of computer applications including MS Office Suite.
• Must have a working knowledge of The Housing Director software or the willingness and ability to learn within three (3) months of hire.
• Must have a working knowledge of PeopleSoft application or the willingness and ability to learn within three (3) months of hire.
• Must have a working knowledge of Cascade CMS application or the willingness and ability to learn within three (3) months of hire.

• Ability to translate a mission and vision into successful programs and services.

• Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, implement, and evaluate programs and services.

• Strong service orientation and ability to relate effectively with diverse individuals and groups at all levels of an organization.

• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively to develop effective student-oriented services.

• Proven “hands on” and energetic team leader.

• Demonstrated ability to be productive, deliver high quality work, take initiative, use good judgment, and solve problems.

• Strong interpersonal, community development, and negotiation skills.

• Must be able to generate the confidence and trust of individuals and the extended campus community.

• Proven analytical, technical, and supervisory skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively and by using a wide variety of tools and mediums.

• Strong ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and handle heavy workloads under pressure and within deadlines.

• Ability to produce quality results with limited resources.

• Ability to develop programs to enable employees to grow in their positions.

• Knowledge and skills with automated computer systems, new technologies, records management, database systems to support service and operational needs; skill with use of university systems within three months of appointment.

• Ability to balance commitments and coordinate efforts with outside vendors and university departments.