New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Residential College Director (RCD) reporting to the Residential Experience Manager.
The Residential College Director (RCD) directs all aspects of the community development programs and services for an assigned Residential College. The RCD directly supervises a student-staff of 16-20 Resident Assistants (RAs). As a member of Residential Life, this position manages the day-to-day community engagement initiatives in an effort to foster a sense of community to enrich the students’ university experience. The RCD serves as a student conduct hearing officer, serves on departmental committees, and oversees administrative aspects of the residential college. The RCD also participates in the recruitment, selection, and training processes of the RAs. The RCD is a member of the on-call duty rotation team and has some evening and weekend responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
Resident Assistant Supervision
Conduct bi-weekly staff meetings with the Resident Assistants to discuss trends in the residential college community, provide necessary departmental/institutional updates, review program initiatives, facilitate continued learning and development, and recognize staff contributions
In liaison with the Residential Experience Manager, support the planning and execution of monthly First Tuesdays
Facilitate 1:1 meetings with Resident Assistants
Create and assign RA Office Hours schedule and RA on call duty rotation for academic year, ensuring appropriate office staffing and completion of administrative tasks
Assess the development and skills of the Resident Assistants through regular office hours touchpoints and provide individualized opportunities to challenge and support their development as student leaders
Provide ongoing feedback and conduct mid-year and end of year performance evaluations
Facilitate and communicate disciplinary action processes for Resident Assistants who fail to meet expectations
Participate in the recruitment and selection process for the Resident Assistants including, but not limited to, hosting information sessions, scoring applications, facilitating group interviews, conducting individual interviews, and hiring competitive applicants
Community Development
Facilitate intentional RC Highline Welcome Events every semester, in liaison with RC RAs, to welcome returning students
Oversee and implement the Residential Experience Curriculum, including by defining monthly Resident Assistant expectations, reviewing program proposals and evaluations, providing feedback, and tracking the program requirements. This includes strategic planning and development to foster engagement and promote learning in the community
Supervise individual RA Curriculum programs, including but not limited to: event reviews, budget approvals, logistical and purchase support, and feedback processes
Role model and lead several community development programs and initiatives within Residential Experience
Develop supportive and collaborative relationships with Student Affairs stakeholders, including but not limited to Campus Safety, EFS, RCS, Housekeeping staff to maintain a living and learning environment
Support Residential Life signature and hallmark events
Serve as a core Community Values Team member and Student Conduct Officer to promote and uphold community values, including through regular CVT meetings, student conduct conferences, and applications of necessary restorative practices
Residential College Administration
Manage and control residential college expenditures for the Resident Assistants, including the oversight of programming budgets, petty cash, purchasing card, reimbursements, chartfields, procurement processes, and financial records
Utilize and possess an understanding of StarRez and other IT processes in order to navigate residential rosters and execute room changes as needed
Maintain student conduct records through effective use of the Advocate software; document and submit comprehensive incident reports; train RA staff on appropriate Advocate reporting
Coordinate communications and meetings with students found in possible violation of university and/or residential college policies in liaison with the Community Values Team, including student availability review, Advocate processing, and sanctioning follow-up
In liaison with the Student Life Operations team, support the coordination of RAs and shift-scheduling of the check out and check in process, including staff tabling, occupancy verification, and Bed4Bed Exchanges
Oversight of Summer Housing student staff, operational processes, and programming elements during summer term transition periods
Organizations, Committees, Special Initiatives, & Student Affairs Support
Serve on collaterals or working groups to ameliorate the student experience and improve processes
Attend all departmental and Student Affairs training sessions and divisional gatherings, as required.
Connect with other university offices such as Public Safety, Facilities, and Health & Wellness, and make referrals when deemed appropriate
Maintain partnerships with other university offices and departments to identify collaboration opportunities, inform students of relevant information, and offer/solicit support for community efforts
Train and serve as a SLICECT Conflict Transformer, engaging in regular sessions and upskilling
Represent the department as a member of university wide committees as well as participate in staff development opportunities offered by other campus offices
The RCD is encouraged to maintain involvement at the regional, national, and international level within professional development organizations, as well as attend local, regional, and national conferences
Paraprofessional Counselor
Serve as a resource for students through the engagement of critical conversations when addressing student behavior and providing necessary referrals to assist students in making educated decisions, integrating NYU Connect into the referral process
Provide advice and support to students with personal or interpersonal problems and refer students, as necessary, to other offices and resources at NYUAD
Participate in the Residential Life 24/7 rotating “on call’ system, which is a weekly rotation, responding to student incidents or crises such as medical, mental health, and facilities emergencies. This includes supervising the RAs on call and responding to Campus Safety support requests after hours
Responsible for the University’s initial response to student incidents on weekends, holidays, and after business hours in the residential college, including university closures and transition periods throughout the academic year
Provide appropriate post-crisis follow-up necessary to re-normalize the student’s life through advice, information, and referral and support
Required Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, or college student personnel
Required Experience:
2+ years related experience within a residential education program (including program development and implementation, facility management, and staff supervision) or equivalent combination
Experience in program development, personal counseling/crisis intervention, and prior involvement with Resident Assistants are crucial. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a variety of individuals is essential
Candidates should have demonstrated effective administrative and managerial experience in Residential Halls/Colleges including staff training, counseling/advising, and programming for college students
Must be highly motivated, energetic, and ready to assume the responsibility for a comprehensive program; must be imaginative and creative; able to promote and motivate high enthusiasm for residence life program
Display exceptional customer service skills; maintain and exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and work effectively with multiple diverse populations. Experience and commitment to working with an international community is essential
An appreciation for the relationship between the academic and residence life programs at a private liberal arts institution is essential
Other Information
About NYUAD
NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai, form the backbone of NYU’s global network university, an interconnected network of portal campuses and academic centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility of students and faculty in their pursuit of academic and scholarly activity. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, one in which the intellectual and creative endeavors of academia are shaped and examined through an international and multicultural perspective. As a major intellectual hub at the crossroads of the Arab world, NYUAD serves as a center for scholarly thought, advanced research, knowledge creation, and sharing, through its academic, research, and creative activities.
