Reporting to the Vice President of University Engagement and Student Affairs (UESA), the Executive Director of Residence Life provides visionary leadership and oversight for residence life operations at Central Michigan University. The Executive Director is adept in aligning residence life priorities with institutional goals related to student engagement, retention, and academic success. The Executive Director leads a dynamic team of professional and student staff with a humanistic approach, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation throughout the office, ensuring that staff feel supported, empowered, and connected to the broader mission of student success. This position also works closely with other UESA units, including Auxiliary Services, Facilities Management, Dining Services, and the CMU Police Department to support broader community efforts that contribute to the overall achievement of students. This position also collaborates with the Associate Vice President of University Engagement as a dotted line relationship exists between Residence Life and CMU CARES.

- Master’s degree, preferably in higher education, educational administration, counseling, or a related field.
- Seven years of progressively responsible higher education experience.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience cultivating a culture of creativity, care, and concern.
- Experience forecasting models for residence hall and apartment occupancy.
- Experience with strategic planning, implementation and proven results in cultivating robust learning environments and opportunities that align with institutional priorities.
- Extensive experience with crisis management, risk reduction, conflict resolution, and restorative practice.
- Experience with student development, community engagement, and event planning.
- Experience with the successful implementation of student learning outcomes, curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation.
- Extensive experience with the development and implementation of effectual training.
- Experience with facilities, including major building renovation projects and day-to-day facility operations.
- Experience with campus judicial systems.
- Experience with budget development and fiscal management.
- Demonstrated highly effective and engaging verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage teams in a large, decentralized environment.
- Strong administrative, time management, and prioritization skills, with the capacity to support multiple priorities with significant attention to detail.
- Demonstrated comprehension of student learning-based approaches and dynamic competence in administering a complex and innovative Residence Life program.
- Strong computer and technology skills and experience communicating with students through relevant online platforms.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

About Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is defined by the success of our students and alumni, and by our collective impact with the communities we serve. To achieve our mission, we adhere to the core values of integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, equity, social responsibility, excellence and innovation. While much has changed over the last two centuries, our values today do not stray from those inscribed upon our seal in 1892: Sapientia, Virtus, Amicitia—wisdom, virtue and friendship. The Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs (UESA) is the driving force behind CMU’s commitment to creating a culture of care and concern across campus. The work of our division emerges in the expansion of institutional policy, procedure, practice, and community outreach. UESA serves as an advocate for students and their concerns while simultaneously coordinating student services. UESA promotes a learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, professional development, holistic engagement, and community building among students, faculty, and staff. In total, the Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs aims to advance Central Michigan University as a pluralistic educational community that fosters growth and transformation in action and thought.

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