Widener University · 1 week ago
Senior Associate Director for Student Living
Chester, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
4+ years expWidener University is currently seeking a Senior Associate Director for Student Living. This position provides visionary leadership and operational oversight for the Office of Student Living, shaping all aspects of the residential student experience and ensuring a supportive environment for students.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Area Coordinators and functional supervision for approximately 41 student staff members
Develop and implement a comprehensive professional and student staff development plan emphasizing leadership, inclusion, learning outcomes, and alignment with the SET curricular approach
Partner with the Associate Vice President/Associate Dean for Student Living, Learning & Engagement to establish departmental goals, shared accountability measures, and alignment with divisional strategic priorities
Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of a holistic residential curriculum that fosters belonging, student success, and personal development
Use assessment data to demonstrate learning outcomes and evaluate the impact of the residential experience
Provide strategic leadership for Living Learning Communities (LLCs), cultivating strong partnerships with faculty, academic departments, and campus collaborators
Develop annual LLC learning outcomes and oversee recruitment, marketing, and evaluation of LLC initiatives
Collaborate with the Associate Director of Housing Operations on move-in/move-out processes, occupancy forecasting, and residential facility planning
Maintain regular communication with Housing Operations to ensure seamless student support and operational alignment
Partner with Facilities Management, Custodial Services, and Campus Safety to ensure residential facilities are safe, well-maintained, and conducive to community living
Assist in forecasting and managing the departmental annual budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources across staffing, professional development, programming, student wages, and operational needs
Work with the Associate Vice President/Associate Dean and Associate Director of Housing Operations to identify opportunities for fiscal efficiency, revenue generation, and long-term sustainability
Oversee recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of Resident Assistants and paraprofessional student leaders
Develop a robust training and development framework grounded in inclusive excellence, leadership theory, and divisional learning outcomes
Foster a culture of reflection, accountability, and continuous improvement among student leaders and professional staff
Collaborate with Assistant Deans for Student Engagement and Community Standards & CARE to ensure alignment and shared leadership across divisional functions
Serve as an active member of the SET Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, assessment initiatives, and divisional communication strategies
Build strong partnerships across Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Athletics, and campus life to advance an integrated and modern student experience
Participate in the University’s on-call rotation, providing leadership during student emergencies, mental health crises, and campus incidents
Partner with Campus Safety, CARE, and Counseling Services to ensure coordinated, compassionate, and student-centered responses
Develop and implement crisis response protocols and staff training to enhance preparedness and consistency
Collaborate with University Relations and Student Engagement staff to develop a cohesive marketing strategy highlighting the residential experience, LLCs, and housing programs
Oversee communication strategies and digital content that promote the value of on-campus living and reflect the division’s commitment to inclusion, community, and engagement
Lead assessment initiatives to evaluate program effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and satisfaction within Student Living
Use data to guide program improvements, enhance services, and support divisional and institutional reporting
Assist the Associate Vice President/Associate Dean in developing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with the Curricular Approach and SET strategic goals
Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Student Engagement and Transformation Division and Widener University
Qualification
Required
Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Student Personnel, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
Four or more years of progressive professional experience in residential life, housing operations, or student engagement within a college or University setting. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered
Experience supervising professional and/or paraprofessional staff
Proficiency with housing management, conduct, and student engagement software systems that support the residential experience
Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging for students from diverse backgrounds
Experience managing departmental operations, including budget development and oversight, policy implementation, and billing/damage assessment processes
Experience developing, implementing, and assessing living-learning communities or residential curriculum models that integrate academic success with the residential experience
Knowledge of restorative practices, student conduct processes, and educational adjudication models
Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, and faculty
Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), desktop publishing tools, and web‑based research and productivity software
Preferred
Terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Higher Education, Student Personnel, Student Affairs, or a closely related field
Experience using or administering platforms such as StarRez, Maxient, Coursedog and Anthology Engage
Five or more years of progressive responsible professional experience in residential life, housing operations, or student affairs, or student engagement
Demonstrated success leading strategic initiatives or special projects within student affairs or housing operations
Ability to think critically, act independently, and implement solutions that advance institutional and divisional goals
Active engagement or membership in national professional associations such as ACUHO‑I, NASPA, or ACPA
Company
Widener University
Widener University is a school in Chester Heights.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Widener University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (8)
2023 (8)
2022 (2)
2021 (9)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
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