Assistant Director for Residential Life Operations

Residential Life

The Assistant Director for Residential Life Operations plays a critical leadership role in advancing the residential experience by ensuring efficient, student-centered operational systems and service delivery for a 4,000-bed residential population at UMBC. Reporting to the Director of Housing Services, this position provides strategic and functional oversight of core housing operations including opening, move-in, move-out, break closing processes, housing systems administration (StarRez), and customer service delivery across decentralized service points.

The Assistant Director leads departmental assessment efforts, manages housing technology systems (StarRez, Advocate, Lenel, and Onity), and ensures data integrity, system access, and policy compliance. This role directly supervises professional and student staff responsible for community desk operations and central office services, ensuring high-quality and consistent service delivery across eight 24/7 community desks and the central housing office.

As a member of the Residential Life leadership team, the Assistant Director contributes to student success, wellbeing, belonging, and operational excellence through data-informed decision-making, collaborative partnerships, and continuous improvement.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $77,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

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A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for housing operations serving approximately 4,000 residential students.
• Lead the planning and execution of major operational processes including openings, move-in, move-out, and break closings.
• Oversee housing and operations systems including StarRez, StarRez Portal, Advocate, Lenel, and Onity.
• Manage system configuration, user access, data integrity, compliance, testing, reporting, and operational dashboards.
• Provide strategic oversight for eight residential community desks and central office customer service operations.
• Develop service standards, training programs, and quality assurance practices related to desk operations, package management, resource tracking, and student support services.
• Lead departmental assessment initiatives and analyze operational data to improve services, staffing models, and operational effectiveness.
• Supervise professional and student staff, including recruitment, training, performance management, and staff development.
• Coordinate operational support during emergencies and serve in the Residential Life on-call rotation.
• Collaborate with campus partners including Facilities Management, Student Conduct, Counseling, University Police, Disability Services, and Enrollment Management.
• Support departmental budgeting, operational planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree preferably in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Education Technology, Management Information Systems, or a related field.
• Three years of full-time, post-master’s degree experience in housing, residential life, or housing operations.
• Experience working with housing management systems and database software, including StarRez.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in supervision, staff development, and customer service.
• Knowledge of residence life administration, student development theory, equity and inclusion practices, and crisis response.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies.
• Knowledge of FERPA, ADA, Title IX, Clery Act, and other relevant compliance standards.

• Supervisory experience in a residential life or housing operations setting.
• Experience with assessment methodology and reporting tools.
• Experience with access control systems such as Lenel and Onity.
• Experience with emergency response and on-call crisis management.
• Experience with web management platforms such as WordPress.

A background check will be required. 

Upload a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references.

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary: $77,000-$87,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.