Metro New York & Southern Connecticut

The Residence Hall Director (RHD) is a full-time, live-in, professional staff member responsible for the daily operations of a 250-650 bed residence hall(s) or on-campus apartments. The RHD directly supervises 5-16 Resident Assistants, 1 - 2 Inclusion Assistants, and most RHDs supervise a front desk operation and advise hall council. The RHD is charged with developing a community that promotes engagement, learning, respect for diversity, and student success. The RHD plays an integral role in developing and implementing our residential curriculum. On-call responsibilities are shared for 1,200-2,000 residents.

A live-in position is one where the individual maintains an on-campus apartment as their primary residence. RHDs must reside in an on-campus apartment throughout the term of their appointment. The department provides an apartment and meal plan to allow the RHD to be visible in their community, eat meals in the residential restaurant, attend meetings and events regularly, and be able to respond to emergencies within their community.

Bachelors degree and prior residence life experience as a paraprofessional or higher.
Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and project a positive attitude.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Masters degree in college student personnel or higher education administration.
Supervisory experience.
Experience in a professional residence life capacity.

Administrative:
Manages the day to day operations of residence hall(s) or apartments. Computer proficient, including: web-based programs, Microsoft Office, and e-mail as a significant mode of communication/documentation.
Develops and utilizes hall opening/closing procedures.
Maintains occupancy/roster and maintains key control/inventory.
Attends meetings, including but not limited to: department meetings, staff meetings, committee meetings, and one-on-one meetings.
Serves on Residence Life committees.
Maintains administrative and informational records.
Supervises a 24-hour desk operation where applicable; is responsible for safe monies, if applicable.
Completes student account charges for private and public area damages.
Fiscally responsible for hall operational and social accounts.

Staff Supervision:
Interviews, selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates Resident Assistants, Inclusion Assistant, Hall Council Advisor and desk staff, as needed.
Holds staff accountable for meeting performance expectations, including responsibilities outlined in the residential curriculum.
Utilizes departmental resources for staff development and training, including but not limited to the
Paraprofessional Resource Center and Skyfactor Survey results.
Provides staff members guidance about university policies and procedures.

Community Development:
Establishes a strong, positive learning environment within residential areas and the university community.
Works with students in developing floor/building communities conducive for high academic achievement.
Provides leadership in creating a community that supports students of underrepresented and diverse populations.
Educates staff and students to self-enforce policies and respect the rights of others through community standards.
Actively advises Hall Council and Executive Board.
Provides training and resource information to staff and Hall Council leaders (Executive Board) in program development and implementation.
Attends all Hall Council and E-board meetings, providing direction and information on university policies and procedures.
Encourages maximum participation of residents in Hall Council and hall programs.

Student Development:
Contributes to the development and facilitation of the residential curriculum.
Serves as a partner in the students total development by working with: Academic Advising and Assistance, Career Development Center, Counseling Center, Care Advocates, Student Activities and Involvement, and other offices as warranted.
Facilitates leadership opportunities and supports all students in leadership development, specifically leadership events sponsored by Residence Life.
Facilitates the discipline process to serve as an educational tool.
Contributes to recruitment and retention programs and initiatives.

Counseling/Discipline:
Follows up on all discipline in an educational and timely manner with appropriate documentation.
Works collaboratively with the Office of Student Conduct and Office of Student Affairs.
Refers all mental health concerns to appropriate resources and maintains thorough documentation.
Utilizes Care Advocates with staff members and as a resource and referral.
Completes Behavior and Safety Plans, emergency contact notifications, and Student Expectations Meetings as appropriate.
Engages family and/or other supports in creating success for students.

Health and Safety:
Provides crisis management support and intervention, which may be required on weekends, at night, etc.; serves on an on-call duty rotation; responds to additional emergency situations as necessary; supervises 24-hour coverage of area.
Develops a security program and coordinates emergency procedures, i.e., power outage, fire drills, medical emergencies, bomb threats, etc.; educates residents about emergency procedures.
Maintains appropriate communication with CMU Police.

Facilities Management:
Communicates with Building Maintenance Worker (BMW) and immediate supervisor on building needs and preventive maintenance projects.
Submits work orders for facility needs not covered by the BMW.
Monitors all public area facilities, utilizing a damage control board/improvement committee as necessary.
Maintains positive working relationship with custodians and other facilities personnel.
Coordinates and supervises proper usage of residential restaurants and public spaces when used for programs and activities.
Monitors fitness/computer equipment, if applicable.

Continuous Improvement:
Supports department, division and university strategic planning initiatives, mission, vision and educational priority.
Contributes to a comprehensive assessment plan that encompasses satisfaction, retention, and student learning goals.
Utilizes assessment and benchmarking survey data to lead evidence-based enhancements in the development of community, programming, facilities, wellness and support services for students, the department and self.

All other duties as assigned.

While performing staff supervision, community building and education, health and safety and facilities management duties of this position, the employee is required to access all floors and public areas of the building(s) on a weekly basis and periodically access floors and public areas of the other building(s) in the residential area as well as other buildings and locations on campus. Reasons for floor and building access may include but are not limited to facility and safety inspections, emergency response, student policy violations and safety concerns, staff member observation, and availability and outreach to residents. In instances of emergencies, the RHD must be able to respond in a timely manner appropriate to the situation. The employee must also be able to do exterior building inspections twice per semester or when buildings are closed for breaks. The employee is frequently required to utilize the computer and phone.

Individuals must perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

None.

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, masters, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 mens and womens Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. Its part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the states largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions - Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more - are within easy reach of the citys central location in Michigans Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMUs mission, vision, and leadership standards.


You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by February 27, 2026.