The Office of Residence Life invites applications for the position of Director of Residential and Conference Services. This is a full-time, 12-month continuing, Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services
Oberlin College is unique among independent colleges in its commitment to offering students a wide variety of on-campus housing options, such as special interest theme housing, cooperative housing, apartment and suite-style housing, and traditional housing. Residential living and dining are integral to the educational experience of Oberlin students; more than 90% of Oberlin’s students live and dine on campus during their entire 4 to 5 years as undergraduates.
The director joins a management team under the leadership of the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services that includes the Assistant Dean/Director of Residential Housing Operations and Director of Residential Engagement. The director is responsible for coordination of a comprehensive conference program that includes external event management, internal partnership with various campus organizations, and close collaboration with campus dining. The director will provide guidance and development of the conference services website and StarRez conference portal; update and maintain billing charges for conference service and dining fees with compelling marketing that promotes understanding of administrative policies and timelines. In all of these administrative functions, ability to demonstrate excellent customer service is required including interpersonal skills with students, parents, faculty, staff and outside community members; effective, compelling publicity for conference service processes and policies; and interactions with students, parents, staff, faculty and outside community members that reflect respect and support for students’ personal and social development and academic success.
Responsibilities
The director will have system-wide responsibilities in the following areas: management of all conference services processes and procedures; management of all housing assignments and associated billing for conference housing and dining; direction and oversight of website development and StarRez conference portal; marketing of programs and services to students, faculty, staff, parents, and the local community.
The director will assist with professional staff hiring, serve on divisional and college-wide committees, coordinate professional development activities, support external clients, and oversee facility concerns. The director will work closely with other academic and administrative departments such as the Dean of Students Office, Facilities Operations, Campus Safety, The Conservatory of Music, and the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement; and City offices such as the Office of the City Manager, the Oberlin Police Department, and local vendors. The incumbent’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following specific duties:
Direct all Conference Service events that meet the needs of internal and external clients including review and development of policies, procedures and best practices within the mission.
- Manage all client contracts for major events, including summer programs, day camps, and other programs throughout the year in collaboration with Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Conduct client meetings to determine needs and establish rapport applicable to campus policy and contract details.
- Coordinate summer dining schedule with food service partners.
- Establish open communication with local community partners, campus partners, and other Oberlin College groups and organizations.
- Develop and manage budgets including planning, monitoring and preparing reports, collections and reconciliation of all revenue, including summer conference invoices.
- Oversee Conference Service database systems, financial programs and other technology as necessary.
- In partnership with the Office of Communications, develop marketing strategies to increase summer programs and improve web presence for external recruitment of clients and other external revenue opportunities.
- Participate in professional development organizations like the Association of Collegiate Conferences and Event Directors International (ACCED-I), Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I) and Ohio 5 Conference Directors Consortium.
- Provide direct supervision, oversight, and mentorship for one Master’s level Assistant Director and multiple student employees
- Assist with early arrivals, residence hall openings/closings, orientation, welcome week, and life safety and facilities inspections
- In collaboration with other Student Life staff, assist in the review, evaluation, and revision of student and administrative office policies and procedures.
- Engage in and develop collegial relationships with other employees in all areas of the institution.
- Participation in a campus wide on-call system.
- All other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree, which can be in student personnel or another field; excellent oral and written communication skills, strong customer service and organizational skills, proven ability to work collegially with a variety of constituencies, and traits that complement and demonstrate integrity and cooperation in relation to administration and management.
Desired Qualifications
4-6 years progressive professional experience in the following areas is desirable: residence hall administration, supervision, website development, database management, and oversight of multifaceted processes.
Special Instructions to Applicants
A completed application will consist of a cover letter, resume, list of references, and a diversity statement.
Oberlin College is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where every member has an equal opportunity to learn, work, and contribute based on their talents, skills, and merit. We value a campus environment that draws on a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enrich education, scholarship, and daily interactions. The College adheres strictly to all applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause, and related regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in employment, admissions, or educational programs. Hiring and advancement decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and job-related criteria. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence, free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and equal opportunity under the law to apply. The Office for Institutional Equity plays a key role in supporting a fair, compliant, and inclusive workplace and learning environment for the entire Oberlin community.
