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Human Resources

Director of Residential Life & Housing

July 25, 2025
Position Vacancy Announcements

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FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Range/Grade

Salary Range: $50,000 - $65,000

(Additional compensation: 2-bedroom apartment valued at $14,400)

Reports to

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Success

Job Description 

Summary/objective

Founded in 1956, the fully accredited Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) was founded as a branch unit of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in Baton Rouge (SUBR). SUNO continues to grow, striving to become one of the nation’s leading urban universities. Our campus housing is some of the newest in the New Orleans area. SUNO is an active member of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Athletic Conference.  The University also offers a full Intramural Sports Program.  SUNO offers a variety of academic programs that are challenging and that will ultimately prepare its graduates for success after they have earned their degrees. SUNO seeks students who are intellectually curious from all backgrounds.

The Director of Residential Life and Housing provides leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive residential life and housing program that enhances student engagement, academic success, personal development, and community living. The Director oversees all housing operations, residential education initiatives, and staff supervision while ensuring alignment with the University’s mission and values.

The Director serves as the primary administrator and provides live-in support for the residential students at SUNO.  The Director strives to foster a safe, collaborative, and engaging living learning community that promotes students' academic and personal growth through intentional positive interactions, promoting student responsibility and accountability, programmatic educational initiatives, and community development. The House Director compassionately and effectively manages a wide variety of emergency and communal living related situations.

Residential Life & Housing operates 24/7 in order to ensure safety and security for SUNO’s residential student population.  Subsequently, the Director is responsible for building collaborative relationships with key campus partners involved in promoting a safe residential environment to include SUNO Police Department and Facilities Management.  As a 12-month, live-in position, the Director will routinely work evenings and weekends and is incorporated into a cross-departmental on-call schedule.

This position is designated as Campus Security Authority (CSA) and is responsible for reporting crimes and other incidents to the Clery Act Compliance Officer for inclusion in the Annual Campus Security Report in accordance with the Federal Clery Act and Southern University at New Orleans policy.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  1. Develop and implement a residential life vision aligned with the University’s mission, HBCU identity, and commitment to student empowerment.
  2. Develop and implement policies and procedures related to housing assignments, occupancy, safety, and residential education to include the development and maintenance of the University’s Residential Life & Housing handbook and Emergency Response Plan.
  3. Partner with the Student Development Center (Student Affairs), Athletics Department, University College, University Counseling Center and the academic deans to (1) create and oversee a residential curriculum that incorporates cultural pride, academic support, civic engagement, and wellness and (2) supports living-learning communities and co-curricular programming.
  4. Maintain a visible presence in the residence halls and engage in positive, professional interactions with students and families to promote community development to include:
    • Participating and engaging in campus life events in the evenings and on weekends, as needed.
    • Educating, explaining, interpreting, and reinforcing policies as listed in the Student Code of Conduct, housing contract, and RL&H handbook.
    • Assessing student satisfaction in housing through formal and informal means, such as benchmarking surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, and other assessment measures.
  1. Uphold student conduct processes with a restorative and educational approach, which may include serving as a Student Conduct Investigator on RL&H conduct matters.
  2. Oversee occupancy management, housing assignments, move-in/move-out processes, room inspections and room selection to include collaborative work with the Comptroller’s Office to ensure proper billing, fee assessments, and enrollment of residents.
  3. Supervise a team of professional, administrative, and student staff, providing mentoring, professional development, and accountability, which includes the creation and maintenance of a staffing schedule that provides evening and weekend front desk coverage.
  4. Provide guidance and mentorship to Resident Assistants (RAs), student leaders, and other residential life staff to include the development of educational materials, procedures, and training programs for the residence hall staff and key student leaders.
  5. Serve in the cross-departmental 24/7 on-call rotation to respond to crises, mental health concerns, and campus emergencies.
  6. Collaborate with facilities, campus police, and information technology to maintain safe, clean, and technologically equipped residence halls to include:
    • Effectively communicating with students, parents, administrators, faculty, and vendors.
    • Coordinating with administrator, cleaning and maintenance staff concerning residence halls maintenance cleanliness and capital improvements.
    • Conducting monthly walkthroughs of residence halls and grounds to assess facilities issues or concerns, identify any areas in need of repair.
    • Developing process reports of damages, needed repairs, items of a similar nature, and follow-up regarding the completion of repairs team.
    • Ensuring that the community and its grounds are in good repair and provide a safe and attractive environment for residents.
  1. Monitor and assess program effectiveness using data-informed practices.
  2. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., ADA, Title IX, fire codes, FHA).
  3. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

  • Leadership and team management.
  • Conflict resolution and crisis management.
  • Program development and assessment.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
  • Cultural competence and sensitivity.
  • Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, University policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards related to the area of responsibility.
  • Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
  • Ability to provide support for student development with a demonstrable concern for students.
  • Ability to engage students and to create and enhance their connection to the institution and each other.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
  • Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the general public.
  • Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in making decisions.
  • Ability to set priorities and complete projects on time.
  • Ability to work evenings, nights, holidays and weekends as necessary.

Work environment

  • Full-time position with evening and weekend responsibilities especially during peak season (i.e., move-in/move-out, etc.).
  • Office environment with frequent interaction with students, faculty, and staff.

Physical demands

Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to 25 pounds.

Travel required

As needed.

Required education and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • One to two years of experience in a college/university residence life setting.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in housing management systems (e.g., Banner) and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Must be able to live in campus housing.

Preferred education and experience

  • Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or related field.
  • Three to five years of progressive experience in residential life, housing, or student affairs.
  • Experience with crisis management, conflict resolution, and behavioral intervention strategies.
  • Experience in developing and implementing student-focused programming.
  • Experience in facilitating student conduct hearings and/or investigations.
  • Experience responding to crisis situations and/or students in crisis.
  • Familiarity with restorative practices and initiatives, trauma-informed practices, and cultural competency training in residential settings.
  • Knowledge of legal and regulatory standards affecting university housing.

Additional eligibility requirements

Understands that the campus housing is a part of the overall compensation package and has a direct correlation to his/her employment.  Further understands that as a job requirement, the value of campus housing is considered non-taxable income.  Upon termination of employment, the employee will be issued a 30-day Notice to Vacate.

Valid, unexpired license.

Working at Southern University at New Orleans

All offers of employment are contingent upon approval from the University’s Chancellor, the Southern University System President, and a satisfactory pre-employment background check to include reference checks.

 

As a member of the Southern University System, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; paid holidays; and tuition waiver for qualified employees. 

 

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

 

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

 

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.