Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
The Director of Residence Life and Student Conduct is a full-time, live-in, year-round position responsible for providing visionary leadership and operational management for the university’s residence life program and student conduct processes. This role supports approximately 850 residential undergraduate and graduate students. The Director plays a critical role in fostering a safe, welcoming and vibrant residential community that promotes student engagement, belonging, academic success and personal development.
In addition to overseeing all aspects of housing and residence life, the Director manages low to mid-level student conduct cases in alignment with university policies and student development best practices. The Director collaborates with campus partners to create supportive, educational environments and actively contributes to the university’s strategic goals for student retention and well-being.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and daily leadership for all aspects of residence life, including residence halls, apartments, theme houses, and Fraternity and Sorority housing.
- Live in on-campus housing and serve as a key on-call staff member and emergency responder.
- Oversee housing assignments and processes for move-in and move-out, and work to maintain high occupancy based on live-on requirements.
- Manage and uphold housing policies, residential contracts, and student conduct in accordance with university values and legal guidelines.
- Develop and implement conduct-related procedures, documentation, and resolution practices.
- Collaborate with offices across the university (e.g., Counseling and Wellness, Student Support and Outreach, Public Safety, BEAR Central and Athletics) to enhance student development and support.
- Oversee a comprehensive RA recruitment, selection, and training process.
- Coordinate response and follow-up for behavioral and crisis situations, in collaboration with Public Safety and the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Manage the residential on-call schedule and training for the Office of Residence Life in consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
- Conduct regular assessment of facilities and residential programming, health and safety processes and develop long-term facility maintenance and damage management plans.
- Maintain administrative systems and databases related to residential life and student conduct.
- Support development and oversight of residence area councils and programmatic efforts.
- Coordinate summer camp housing and collaborate with the Office of Admission with Visiting Housing Program.
- Manage departmental budget
- Stay current with professional trends in student housing, student conduct and residential education.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provide direct supervision to the Area Coordinators within the Office of Residence Life.
- Provide guidance on the recruitment, training and supervision of Resident Assistants and Graduate Resident Assistants.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's degree (completed or in progress) with 2-4 years of experience in residence life and/or student conduct.
- Knowledge of current issues and trends in higher education student support services.
- Strong interest in student development across all levels.
- Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to laws and policies governing student services.
- Dedication to student development and serving a variety of student populations.
- Proven ability to lead collaborative efforts among various constituencies.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Skilled in handling sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism and diplomacy.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
- Analytical, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant student conduct and housing and residence life software preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Some prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
- Ability to attend and preside over events, lectures and meetings.
- Ability to travel with students, faculty and staff throughout campus and off campus as needed.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
- CPR and First Aid certification a plus.
Work Schedule
- Standard office hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend work based on job responsibilities.
- Ability to be available on-call if needed.
- Subject to change based on university need, scheduled courses, and university growth.
Compensation
The compensation package includes salary, on-campus housing with utilities and internet included, free parking, and a limited meal plan. If the Director opts out of on-campus housing, a monthly housing stipend will be provided, contingent upon residing within 10–15 minutes of campus to support on-call responsibilities
Welcoming and Belonging
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff, and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation, and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private masters comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a town of more than 40,000. The university has graduate centers in Asheville, N.C. and Columbia, S.C.. The university offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build a sense of community, and promote responsible leadership for service in the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne promotes diverse campuses open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status. Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers.
Reports to: Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Department: Student Affairs
Wage Class: Salaried, exempt