Executive Director of Housing

Executive Director of Housing

Executive Director of University Housing

The Division of Student Life at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for the position of Executive Director of University Housing. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, the Executive Director serves as the senior housing officer and provides leadership for a comprehensive student housing operation.

The University and Region: UTK is the state’s flagship, land-grant university. We are a Research 1 university, housing 11 colleges and 900 programs of study. With an enrollment of 30,000 students, our undergraduate and graduate programs are repeatedly ranked among top national programs. The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of outdoor and cultural activities. UTK is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains; and a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago and Washington D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a statistical area population of over 850,000 people. The Knoxville region houses many leading corporations, including Bush Brothers & Company, Discovery Inc., Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Position: The Executive Director of University Housing has primary responsibility for providing vision, leadership, and oversight of a student housing program that accommodates over 8,000 students in 14 residence halls and apartment facilities, including guest housing. The position leads and provides oversight of departmental strategic planning, human resources, and policy development. The Executive Director directly supervises the senior leadership team, comprised of unit directors, and supports a diverse workforce of full-time, part-time, temp, and student staff. This position oversees a departmental budget totaling $50 million; develops short-term and long-range plans for maintenance and improvement of university-owned housing facilities; and monitors housing application and assignment data to provide occupancy projections to meet departmental and institutional enrollment priorities. We seek colleagues that are committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for students and staff. The Executive Director will serve on various university and divisional committees and represent the University at various state, regional, and national professional organizations.

What We Require:

Education: This position requires a master’s degree in higher education, college student personnel or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years expiring within student housing demonstrating leadership ability and administrative accomplishments in positions of increasing responsibility
• Experience in budget planning and personnel management
• Knowledge of university-level organizational structures and communication channels
• Demonstrated commitment to the intellectual, professional, and personal development of a diverse student body
• History of working collaboratively with diverse constituencies
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of student development and learning theory in the advancement of policies and procedures supporting student success

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of organizational dynamics, budgeting, financial management, staff supervision, and student development as it relates to student learning
• Ability to plan strategically
• Knowledge of legal issues and university, federal, and state statutes impacting higher education
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of assessment and evaluation strategies
• Ability to successfully perform managerial responsibilities (planning, organizational leadership, budget, personnel, program evaluation, facility management and operations) in a complex regulatory, legal, policy, and political environment that best meets the needs of the students, department, division, and the university

What We Prefer:

Education: A doctoral degree in higher education, college student personnel or related field.

Experience:

• Substantial experience, 7 years or more, within student housing demonstrating leadership ability and administrative accomplishments in positions of increasing responsibility
• Management and/or oversight of multiple functional areas within a housing organization

Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and other qualifications and is accompanied by a standard university benefits package. This is an exempt, 12-month, full-time, non-tenure track staff position.

For full consideration, candidates are encouranged to submit a cover letter, resume/CV and contact information for five (5) professional references with an application through our formal applicant site by April 1, 2022. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will begin this role on June 1, 2022.