Salary Range:
$47,112
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The Residential Community Director (RCD) at SMU provides leadership in developing and sustaining positive, academically-focused, residential communities. A successful RCD also accomplishes administrative functions required in managing a university residential community. The position is live-in, serves in an on-call rotation, and reports to an Associate Director for Residential Life.
While our current vacancies are in Residential Commons, serving mainly first-year and some second-year students, it is possible that the successful candidate is placed in one of our Upper Division communities serving sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Essential Functions:
- Train, supervise, and evaluate the job performance of student leaders. Conduct regularly scheduled individual and group meetings. Provide development and accountability for student leaders.
- Develop a personal knowledge of individual residents to better provide assistance and related support. Assist with retention efforts. Serve as a case manager through the Caring Community Connections program. Provide conflict mediation and parent interaction to resolve student issues.
- Assess needs of residents. Provide and facilitate programming (including at least one large-scale signature event program yearly) in support of the Residential Commons tradition to promote a positive living and learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging. Advise the programming board for your community.
- Lead and/or serve on one or more RLSH (and potentially Student Affairs) committees. Meet regularly with the supervisor and other RLSH staff.
- Collaborate with the Faculty in Residence (FIR) for your community and support their connection to the leadership team and programmatic efforts where applicable.
- Serve as a Conduct Officer for student conduct cases occurring in the residential areas.
- Coordinate building operations. Assist with occupancy management, including but not limited to managing room and hall changes, check-in and check-out activity, etc. Monitor the physical condition of assigned areas and report work requests and desired facility improvements per established procedures.
- Manage budget & financial paperwork, including purchasing and expense reports.
- Assist in major annual processes, e.g., staff selection, assessments, and serve on the on-call rotation to manage student and facilities emergencies, etc.
- Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet RLSH and University goals.
- Regular evening/weekend hours will be required for student meetings, programs, trainings and other events.
- This person will serve on an on-call rotation. This person is also expected to be a presence in the community in which they live.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. A degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Counseling in Higher Education, or related field is preferred.
Work experience in related areas of Student Affairs is required. Previous Residence Life experience (full-time or graduate) is strongly preferred. Experience working in a Residential College setting or experience working with academic and faculty partners is preferred. Experience supervising student staff is also preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise creative solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by February 23, 2026.
This position is open until filled.
EEO Statement
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU’s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn’t just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
