Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life

The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life (AVP/ED) serves as the senior housing officer for the University of Virginia (UVA), overseeing excellence in programs, services, facilities and business operations, which support a residential community of over 7,800 beds. They will provide visionary and strategic leadership for a $65 million housing and residential life system to support the academic mission and student engagement through inclusive community development. The AVP/ED is a dual report to Gheretta Harris, Associate Vice President for Business Services, and Kenyon R. Bonner, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer.

The AVP/ED will drive a data-informed approach to strategic and long-range budget planning for housing and residence life in conjunction with divisional goals, budgets, and forecasting. They must maintain a fiscal philosophy that ensures optimal resource utilization and effective operations within the department.

The AVP/ED will oversee a department with 50 full time employees and nearly 300 student staff members who operate in the spirit of a long-standing student self-governance model . They will directly supervise a full-time executive assistant and the directors of operations, finance, information technology, residence life, and conference services.

The UVA housing and residence life portfolio includes approximately 110 residential buildings, which include traditional residence hall rooms, suites, and apartment complexes. Residential students can participate in specific living and learning programs such as residential colleges, and language immersion houses.

In addition to the information listed above, other responsibilities of the position include:

• Represent housing and residence life on institutional committees and at professional conferences.
• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management for housing and residence life operations.
• Oversee a departmental budget exceeding $65 million, ensuring fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and financial sustainability.
• Oversee the department’s success in housing assignments, occupancy management, and customer service.
• Partner with facilities management, the office of the architect, and the office of the university building official to maintain and renovate residence halls and to plan for new construction projects.
• Foster an inclusive, safe, and engaging residential environment in alignment with university values.
• Collaborate with peers in student health and wellness, care and support services, behavioral assessment review team, and the department of safety and security on crisis response and behavioral intervention.
• Partner with the student disability access center to ensure appropriate access and support for residential students.
• Ensure compliance with all university, state, and federal housing regulations.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

A master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, business administration, or a related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in university housing and residence life, including five years in senior leadership, are required.

The candidate must demonstrate expertise in strategic planning, fiscal management, and staff supervision. Additionally, the candidate must have a proven record of leading large teams and managing complex housing operations. Proficiency with housing management systems and data-driven decision-making are required.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Demonstrated ability to be a present and visible leader.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong finance and analytical abilities.
• Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in housing and residential education.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build effective partnerships across the university.
• Proven skills in crisis management, student support, and community engagement.

To Apply:

Visit https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/assistant-vice-president-for-student-affairs-executive-director-of-housing-and-residence-life/ to submit application materials.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.