Position Title:Associate Director of Residence Life
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Master's degree and 5 years of related experience
Job Description:
Iowa State University Residence Life is seeking a qualified Associate Director of Residence Life (Senior Residence Life Coordinator) to serve as a senior leader within Residence Life, providing strategic direction and oversight for residential experience.
The Department of Residence is one of the largest non-academic departments on campus. Our residence life, facilities, administrative, business, marketing, conference and technology staff work to ensure a supportive learning and social environment where students can thrive as they pursue their Iowa State adventure.
This position supervises Assistant Directors and provides second-level supervision for Hall Directors while leading staff development, performance management, and accountability processes. The Associate Director collaborates with the Residence Life Director on strategic planning, assessment, and reporting; oversees operational processes and departmental documentation; and facilitates coordination among the leadership team. The role also provides guidance on staff and student support initiatives, supports implementation of the connection model, and participates in on-call crisis response.
Example of Duties:
Oversee implementation of a tiered engagement strategy that optimizes various levels of Residence Life staff and includes a connections-based community building model.
Lead the design and assessment of a residential experience framework that supports student success and wellness.
Develop annual goals, metrics, and outcomes that support the effectiveness of the Department of Residence and help tell our story to both internal and external partners.
Serve as a key member of the Residence Life Leadership team and serve as the Residence Life Director in their absence.
Provide direct supervision and evaluation of five live-off Assistant Directors and second-level supervision to 20 live-on Hall/Apartment Directors.
Provide direction on staffing, performance management, and professional development with the goal of creating an environment of support and accountability.
Ensure that staff have access to and utilize professional development opportunities. Develop on-going staff development curriculum for full-time staff in reporting line.
Collaborate with training and development staff to deliver high-quality training opportunities for both professional and student staff. Participate in staff training with emphasis on relational engagement.
Oversee the Residence Life Recognition Committee.
Serve as the advisor for the Resident Assistant Advisory Team (RAAT).
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
Significant professional experience in university housing or residence life
Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and leading teams
Experience with staff development, organizational change, and program assessment
Strong ability to manage complex student and staff situations and build collaborative partnerships
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Appointment Type:Regular
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS809
Original Posting Date: May 28, 2026
Posting Close Date:June 11, 2026
Job Requisition Number:R19270
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive?land-grant?mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
