Student & Residence Life Manager

Position Description & Details

Are you passionate about creating vibrant residential communities and meaningful student experiences? Bismarck State College is seeking a dynamic Student & Residence Life Manager to provide leadership for residence life operations, student engagement initiatives, and residential education programs that support student success both inside and outside the classroom.

In this role, you will oversee the daily operations of residence life, lead and develop professional and student staff, foster inclusive and engaging residential communities, and collaborate with campus partners to enhance the overall student experience. The Student & Residence Life Manager serves as a key leader in supporting student development, community engagement, crisis response, and co-curricular involvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead residence life operations and housing administration.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for Residence Hall Coordinators, Resident Assistants, and other student staff.
• Direct residential education, community development, and student engagement initiatives.
• Oversee student conduct processes, crisis response, and resident support services within Residence Life.
• Enhance the student experience through collaboration with Admissions, Athletics, Facilities, Marketing, and other partners.
• Provide oversight for student engagement programs, including student organizations, student government, intramural activities, and other co-curricular experiences.
• Support housing recruitment efforts, residential tours, move-in activities, and major campus events.
• Participate in assessment, strategic planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the Residence Life leadership team and provide guidance during emergencies and significant student concerns.
• Supervise assigned professional and student employees.

What Youll Do

Lead and Develop Staff: Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor professional and student staff while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and student-centered service.

Oversee Residence Life Operations: Provide day-to-day leadership for residence hall operations, establish consistent practices and expectations, and identify opportunities to improve programs, services, and processes.

Build Strong Residential Communities: Develop and assess residential education initiatives that promote student learning, wellness, inclusion, engagement, and academic success.

Support Student Success and Well-Being: Guide conduct processes, coordinate crisis response efforts, and ensure students receive appropriate support and resources when challenges arise.

Strengthen Campus Connections: Collaborate with campus partners to create impactful student experiences and advance institutional goals related to retention, belonging, and student engagement.

Note: Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required to support emergency response, on-call responsibilities, and major campus events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in student affairs, higher education, education, counseling, or a related field.
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in residence life, housing, student affairs, or a related higher education environment.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, develop, and hold professional and student staff accountable, while establishing a positive and effective team culture.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively work with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and campus partners.
• Knowledge of residence life, housing operations, student development, residential education, student conduct, and community development practices in higher education. Strong judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess complex or time-sensitive situations and respond effectively to student crises and emergencies.
• Ability to analyze operational needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop and implement practical solutions. Commitment to an inclusive, engaging, and student-centered residential experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, or a related field.
• More than two years professional experience in college or university residence life.
• More than two years supervisory experience.
• Experience with residential education, staffing models, emergency response, student conduct, and housing operations.
• Experience with organizational change, process improvement, program development, assessment, or data-informed decision-making.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED

To be considered by the search committee thoroughly complete the application and upload the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Transcripts
• References

BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE INFORMATION

OVERVIEW: Bismarck State College is dedicated to student success. This on-campus position is student-centered to provide high-quality campus services and hands-on learning experiences.

MISSION: As North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution, Bismarck State College focuses on student success through the delivery of affordable, flexible, high-quality, experiential learning enhanced by public-private partnerships.

VISION: Bismarck State College will be a leader in polytechnic education improving lives and building sustainable communities.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Is directly accountable and responsible to the Director of Residential & Auxiliary Operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Bismarck State College does not provide sponsorships. BSC is an E-Verify Employer.

For more information or accommodation requests, contact the Human Resources Department at 701-224-5531 or bsc.humanresources@bismarckstate.edu

This position requires a criminal history record check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TTY Number: ND Relay Service: 1-800-366-6888 (text); 1-800-366-6889 (voice). For full North Dakota Relay Services, go to: https://www.relaynorthdakota.com/.

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility including a copy of NGB 22 from the National Guard or Reserve (with a unit located in ND) or certification from the applicants unit command that the individual is expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the uniformed services under other than dishonorable conditions not later than one hundred twenty days after the date of the submission of the certification. If claiming disabled status, proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and a current letter of disability.