Director of Housing Operations

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Director of Housing Operations at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose 

The Director of Housing Operations is responsible for functions that support the recruitment and retention of WSU students related to campus housing and dining.  The director leads the execution of duties in the areas of housing and dining contracts and assignments, occupancy management and reporting, assessment, Housing & Residential Life customer service, staff supervision, policies and procedures development, and works closely with other offices on and off campus.  The director will share responsibility for annual strategic planning, budgets, and financial processes within the Office of Housing and Residential Life and the larger Student Auxiliary Services department.  The position reports to the Senior Director, Housing and Residential Life. 

Essential Functions 

Oversee housing and dining contracts, occupancy management, and student housing accommodations. Work with division leadership to develop strategies to retain and improve occupancy across the residential system. 

Oversee the customer service function for Housing & Residential Life, including the main service desk and residence hall front desk operations.   

Leadership of the Operations team comprised of full and part-time staff and student workers. 

Responsible for occupancy and dining contract reporting, trending, and projections. Develop, implement, and analyze Operations assessment activities. 

Work closely with the Associate Director for Business Affairs on all budget planning and financial management related to housing and dining revenues and expenditures.  

Participate in developing divisional strategic planning and lead staff training and development activities related to functional areas. 

Plan and coordinate all operations marketing initiatives with the Director of Marketing. Work closely with other student services staff to produce all marketing materials, schedules, and presentations, including web-based and social media efforts. 

Oversee the housing and dining management software system (StarRez). 

Create departmental policies and procedures. Coordinate process improvements and integration of the systems with campus offices and partners such as one-card, electronic door access, student accounts, etc… 

Represent Housing and Residential Life while working in conjunction with other departments within the university and develop working relationships with Admissions, Registrar, Student Accounts Receivable, Cashier’s Office, Financial Aid, Athletics, Dean of Students, Student Disability Services, One-Card, Parking, etc. 

Work closely with residence life and housing staff, including the housing facilities’ property manager, to ensure safe and comfortable housing and dining environments. 

Serve in emergency on-call rotation and perform other related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Education 

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in student development, student personnel, and/or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Experience 

Expert (established subject matter expert, 7 years experience). 

Minimum of 7 years of experience with student developmental issues and strategies to support a comprehensive college/university-based residential program. Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience is required. 

Experience with occupancy management and customer service functions preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A strong leader who fosters teamwork and develops and mentors staff is required. 

Independent and innovative self-starter who can display an ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to changing situations.  

An innovator with demonstrated skill as a change agent. 

Demonstrated ability to make decisions and exhibit sound and accurate judgment. Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, manage workflow, and motivate staff.   

Must be able to prepare and present special projects with little or no supervision/oversight. Ability to meet deadlines and divide large complex projects into smaller achievable tasks organized into a plan.  

Must have effective interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing.  

Ability to handle pressure situations, including sensitive and confidential human relations situations.   

Preferred qualifications:

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel and SharePoint. Ability to learn and apply Banner, CS Gold, and related computer program/application skills. Experience with the StarRez software program is highly desired.

School/College/Division:

H43 - Business Operations

Primary department:

H4330 - Housing

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Executive

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: $95,000
• Salary hire maximum: $105,000

Working conditions:

Traditional office setting with the ability to travel to other campus locations for meetings.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number: REQ 769

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal employment opportunity statement:

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.