Resident Director

Job Summary

The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) seeks a dynamic candidate to join the Office of Academic and Student Affairs as Resident Director. In 2020, CIM opened its new residence hall at 1609 Hazel, adjacent to the CIM’s main building in the park-like setting of University Circle. Features of the modern, apartment-style living offered at 1609 Hazel include dishwashers, washers, and dryers in every suite. Currently, CIM students occupy the second and third floor, and the fourth and fifth floor are leased to Case Western Reserve University, with whom CIM has several academic and student life partnerships.
Combining both housing and residential life responsibilities, and reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, the Resident Director will:
• Manage academic year and summer inventory to achieve occupancy goals
• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate student Residential Life staff and provide leadership for a residence hall/apartment building
• Lead/participate in departmental committees and manage administrative and operational functions in assigned residence halls/apartments
• Provide services directly to students, such as personal and disciplinary counseling, and social/educational events/activities
• Maintain a balance between administrative workload and student interactions
• Maintain liaison relationships with other Student Affairs and Academic Affairs Staff.
• Participate in the overall planning and management of the residence hall system.
• Coordinate with colleagues at Case Western Reserve University.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
• Supervise 3–4 undergraduate Resident Assistants (RAs), 1 Senior Resident Assistant).
• Work to implement goals and priorities as outlined in the departmental strategic plan, including student learning and development, as well as operations components in assigned residence halls.
• Recruit, select, and train Resident Assistants and Senior Resident Assistant. Provide leadership to staff in setting goals for the year; monitor work performance for accuracy and completeness in accordance with department and college goals and objectives; ensure staff compliance with established Residential Life policies and procedures. Conduct staff performance evaluations on a regular basis and during the yearly departmental evaluation process. Select, supervise, train, and evaluate student office assistant(s).
• Develop and implement in-staff training and development programs for RAs.
• Chair/co-chair and serve on department and divisional committees.
• Provide leadership for the day-to-day operation of one or more Residential Learning Communities, First Year Residential Experience, and/or Upper Years’ experience; assist with large-scale educational and community-based initiatives.
• Serve as personal counseling resource for staff and students in support of roommate conflicts, personal crises, and other concerns. Work in collaboration with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to support and follow up with students of concern.
• Develop knowledge of campus and community resources to ensure timely and efficient referrals when appropriate.
• Demonstrate an on-going commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by addressing the needs and concerns of underrepresented students. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students, and visitors of CIM. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
• Establish and maintain communication with students living in the residence halls through individual outreach and community meetings; serve as a mediator/facilitator when necessary to provide resolutions for interpersonal conflicts between students.
• Serve as a Hearing Officer for students referred for Student Code of Conduct, Residential Life Rules and Regulations, and other behavioral concerns.
• Attend, participate in, and help plan professional development sessions and training.
• Work with RAs to assess student needs and interests; anticipate and promote educational, cultural, social, recreational, and service programs that are supportive to the residence community.
• Maintain confidential student records, including personnel files and communication logs.
• Update student roster, maintain resources, and supervise RA created events, forms, and attendance tracking.
• Manage operational functions for residence halls such as key distribution and collection, damage assessment, reporting and billing, maintenance requests, and hall openings and closings; including conducting room checks, reporting and following up on housekeeping, maintenance, and mover requests.
• Maintain RA event planning, staff development, and office supply budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Work with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to manage and coordinate room assignments and changes in the hall(s) and communicate/resolve housing issues in accordance with established procedures.
• Respond to all inquiries, and concerns from students, staff, and families related to the halls; assist Facilities Management in planning for summer renovations, making recommendations for the purchase of furnishings and equipment, recommending improvements of housekeeping services, and preventative maintenance and safety measures; proactively and reactively respond to unnecessary/unreasonable hall damages and vandalism.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Facilities Management, Campus Safety and, other Student Affairs and CIM offices.
• Work with RAs, Campus Safety officers to respond to crisis situations in accordance with departmental and institutional emergency procedures; assume “on-call” responsibility for residence halls on a scheduled basis.

Education, Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and professional Student Affairs experience required. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively work and interact respectfully within a diverse and inclusive environment, demonstrated leadership and supervisory abilities are required. The incumbent will also be required to live in the residence hall 12 months per year. Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel or Counseling and/or previous graduate or professional work experience in Residence Life preferred.
Personal Attributes

To be successful in this role, one must be a good listener, communicate effectively, non-bias, compassionate, committed to student learning, ability to work independently & collaboratively. One must also be logical and strategic (crisis-management), resourceful, innovative & organized.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Must be available to RAs who are on regular evening and weekend work, shift work.

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, sit, stand and walk the halls of 1609, Hazel.

Direct reports

3–4 Student Resident Assistants

Compensation

Compensation package includes monetary compensation and a private suite in 1609 Hazel.