Associate Director of Residential Life and Special Interest Communities

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $69,300 - $77,000 Annually

Position Summary

Residential Life within Undergraduate Student Life (USL) plays a central role in shaping a vibrant co-curricular undergraduate experience where students develop as leaders, build community, and gain the skills and confidence to navigate complexity within Columbia College and Columbia Engineering and beyond. Grounded in USL's commitment to student well-being and community and culture, Residential Life fosters environments where students are supported, challenged, and connected through meaningful engagement and learning beyond the classroom.

The Associate Director is a key member of the Residential Life leadership team and provides strategic leadership for Special Interest and Themed Communities (SICs), residential community development, staff development initiatives, and student leadership experiences across the residential ecosystem. This role advances student learning, belonging, leadership development, academic engagement, well-being, and community and culture by creating intentional residential experiences that support student growth, responsible citizenship, and community engagement.

The Associate Director partners closely with colleagues across Undergraduate Student Life, Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, and University partners to strengthen the undergraduate residential experience and foster inclusive communities where students from diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences can thrive.

This live-in position reports to the Director of Residential Life and supports Residential Life and Undergraduate Student Life within Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The Associate Director oversees a residential area of approximately 1,800 students, supervises four Residence Hall Directors, and indirectly supports approximately 49 Resident Advisers. The position provides strategic oversight for Columbia's Special Interest Community program, including community development, leadership development, accountability processes, recruitment, training, assessment, and program evaluation. The Associate Director serves on the emergency response team, supports community accountability efforts, manages departmental resources, and participates in rotational after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership for Residential Communities and Special Interest Communities

  • Provide strategic leadership for Columbia's Special Interest Community (SIC) ecosystem and assigned residential communities

  • Establish priorities that advance student belonging, leadership development, community engagement, academic success, and responsible citizenship within the residential experience

  • Lead the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of residential initiatives and intentional communities that support Undergraduate Student Life's priorities related to well-being, community and culture, and student success

  • Utilize assessment data, emerging trends, and student feedback to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities for growth, and inform programmatic and operational decision-making

• Residential Community Development and Student Leadership

  • Provide leadership for residential community development efforts within the assigned residential area

  • Supervise and support Residence Hall Directors in creating inclusive and engaging residential environments that foster belonging, leadership development, academic engagement, student well-being, and community responsibility

  • Guide the development of educational initiatives, community-building efforts, Hall Council activities, and student leadership opportunities that strengthen the residential experience

  • Assess community needs and coordinate with campus partners to integrate relevant resources, programs, and support services into the residential environment 

• Special Interest Community Operations, Advising, and Accountability

  • Provide strategic oversight of the Special Interest Community program, including recruitment, selection, advising, leadership development, training, house management, accountability processes, assessment, and ongoing program enhancement

  • Advise student leaders and communities in support of their goals while ensuring compliance with University policies and expectations

  • Develop and implement training programs, evaluation processes, and educational initiatives that promote community development, leadership growth, responsible citizenship, and positive residential experiences

  • Collaborate with campus partners to strengthen support structures and resources available to Special Interest Communities

• Staff Development, Supervision, and Organizational Effectiveness

  • Supervise four Residence Hall Directors and provide leadership, coaching, performance management, onboarding, and professional development opportunities

  • Establish expectations, monitor performance, conduct evaluations, and support the growth and success of professional staff

  • Serve as a leader in departmental staff development efforts, including Residential Life onboarding, professional learning initiatives, team-building efforts, and the cultivation of a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing Residential Life team

  • Contribute to organizational effectiveness and the continued development of Residential Life practices and procedures

• Community Accountability, Student Support, and Crisis Response

  • Promote responsible citizenship, community accountability, and student understanding of University expectations within the residential environment

  • Partner with Student Conduct and Community Standards, Rules Administration, the Office of Institutional Equity, Public Safety, and other University partners to support educational approaches to community standards, conflict resolution, and student development

  • Serve as a member of the Residential Life emergency response team and provide leadership during crises, critical incidents, and community disruptions

  • Participate in the departmental on-call rotation and support Residence Hall Directors in responding to student emergencies, behavioral concerns, health and safety issues, and other complex situations requiring coordinated institutional response

• Resource Management and Administrative Operations

  • Manage assigned budgets, operational resources, and administrative processes in support of residential communities and Special Interest Communities

  • Monitor expenditures, allocate resources responsibly, and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures

  • Maintain accurate records, assessment data, and program documentation while supporting the effective operation and continuous improvement of Residential Life initiatives

• Institutional and Undergraduate Student Life Leadership

  • Participate in the continued growth and development of Undergraduate Student Life, Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, and the broader University community

  • Support key student life initiatives and major institutional experiences, including NSOP, Opening Days, orientation, Homecoming, Commencement, traditional campus events, and other significant University programs

  • Contribute to student onboarding and transition efforts and collaborate with colleagues across the University to advance shared priorities related to student well-being, leadership development, academic engagement, community and culture, and student success

  • Serve on committees, working groups, emergency response teams, and other institutional initiatives as requested

  • Attend necessary meetings and communicate relevant information to staff and colleagues

  • Promote efficiency, professionalism, inclusion, and student-centered practice consistent with the purpose and values of Undergraduate Student Life

  • Maintain awareness of University, College, Engineering, and Undergraduate Student Life priorities and the importance of student voice in shaping the undergraduate experience

  • Communicate effectively with supervisors regarding departmental and University matters

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required

• Minimum of three to five years’ related experience

• Demonstrated knowledge of residence life, living and learning communities, leadership development, multicultural theory and program development

• Must have strong communication skills with young adults from diverse backgrounds

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and discretion

• Well-organized administrative skills and computer literacy required. Specifically, must be well versed in using web-based programs, Microsoft Office, and email

• Must be available for afterhours/weekend/holiday on-call duties on a rotational basis to address any residential emergency

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel Administration, Counseling or related field preferred

• Experience working with hall council/Residence Hall Associations, faculty programs, and young adults in an urban setting preferred

• Experience advising/managing special interest/living-learning communities, including recruitment and selection processes

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.