Senior Director of Residential Life and Conduct

Description

At Westminster College, we believe in immersive and enriching experiences that inspire creative thinking and problem solving. We believe in creating opportunities for several different paths to success over a lifetime and the potential to make an impact from wherever you are. For our students, we do this by providing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes, and talented professors dedicated to the individual. Our employees often remark that our tight-knit community creates an atmosphere fostering campus involvement that adapts to all interests. As a result, Westminster continues to be recognized for its excellence in higher education as one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

The Senior Director of Residential Life and Conduct provides strategic leadership for the College's residential life program, including direct supervision of the Housing Coordinator and graduate assistants. This position oversees the residential life budget, resident advisor program, residential programming initiatives, student conduct processes, and campus crisis response efforts.

As a key member of the Student Services leadership team, reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, the Senior Director fosters a safe, inclusive, and student-centered residential environment. Primary responsibilities include leadership of residential education initiatives, administration of the student conduct process, behavioral intervention and case management efforts, and programs that promote student success, well-being, accountability, and community engagement.

The Senior Director collaborates closely with Academic Support, Facilities Services, Dining Services, Campus Security, the Wellness Center, and external partners to enhance the residential experience and ensure coordinated support for students. The position provides leadership in addressing student concerns, responding to crises, and developing policies and practices that contribute to student retention, engagement, and success.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

The statements below are intended to describe the principal duties of the person assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities.

Department Leadership:

• Represent the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Services in meetings, committees, and campus initiatives as assigned by the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services
• Provide overall vision and leadership for Residence Life Program
• Represent Residence Life to students, parents, visitors and members of the campus community
• Manage the department budget, and collaborate on any capital budget spending for residence hall renovations
• Provide strategic leadership and assessment for residential life programs, policies, services, and initiatives that support student development and retention
• Provide leadership to create an inclusive residential environment which embraces cultural diversity

Conduct and Case Management:

• Coordinate support and resource referral for students experiencing personal, behavioral, academic, or mental health challenges, ensuring appropriate communication and collaboration with campus stakeholders
• Administer the Student Conduct process under the direction of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services, maintaining accurate conduct and case management records and ensuring compliance with institutional policies
• Lead case review and intervention discussions related to students of concern and coordinate follow-up actions with appropriate campus partners
• Serve as a senior Hearing Officer for Student Conduct
• Consult with Title IX office regarding case overlap

Student Services Leadership:

• Serve as an active member of the Student Services leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, assessment, and student success initiatives
• Lead behavioral intervention team for distressing and distressed students 
• Actively seek and develop collaborations with Student Services departments
• Be a visible and engaged member of the Student Services team by routinely attending programs and events on campus, including evening and weekend programs
• Serve on committees as assigned

Campus and Community Partnerships:

• Collaborate with Facilities Management, Campus Security, Dining Services, Academic Affairs, Athletics, and other campus partners to enhance the residential student experience and address student concerns
• Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies and service providers to support student well-being and crisis response efforts

Job Requirements:

Education: Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, College Student Personnel, Educational Leadership, Social Work, or a closely related field required, doctorate preferred. An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in student affairs, residence life, conduct administration, or case management may be considered.  

Experience:   

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in residence life, student conduct, student affairs, case management, or related higher education administration. 
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including professional and/or graduate staff. 
• Experience adjudicating student conduct cases and interpreting college policies. 
• Experience responding to student crises and behavioral concerns.
• Experience with budget planning and tracking. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Seven years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in Student Affairs or Residence Life. 
• Experience leading a Behavioral Intervention Team, CARE Team, or student support process. 
• Training and experience in threat assessment, crisis management, restorative practices, or conflict resolution. 
• Experience working with Title IX-related processes and FERPA compliance. 
• Experience managing budgets and departmental assessment initiatives. 
• Experience at a residential liberal arts institution.

Skills:

•  Thorough knowledge of student development theory and best practices in student affairs. 
• Knowledge of residential life operations, housing administration, and student conduct processes. 
• Understanding of FERPA, Clery Act requirements, and other regulations applicable to higher education student affairs. 
• Knowledge of case management principles, crisis intervention strategies, and student support resources. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in complex or sensitive situations. 
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. 
• Ability to effectively manage confidential and sensitive information. 
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents, and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively during emergencies and crisis situations. 
• Experience supervising and developing professional, graduate, and student staff. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 
• Ability to analyze information, assess risk, and develop appropriate intervention strategies. 
• Proficiency with student information systems, case management software, Microsoft Office applications, and related technology platforms. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while exercising a high degree of independent judgment.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Health Savings Account and/or Flex Spending Account
• Supplemental options: Short-term disability, Hospitalization, Accident, and Critical Illness
• Stand-alone EAP program
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Tuition remission or exchange programs
• Sick and Vacation time

Westminster College encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The College is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The College does not discriminate in access to, treatment of, or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, disability, or genetic information.

Inquiries about compliance with this prohibition should be directed to:

Associate Vice President & Chief HR Officer/Title IX Coordinator

501 Westminster Ave, Washington West, 2nd floor

Fulton, MO 65251

HR@Westminster-mo.edu

573-592-5226