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Director of Housing Operations

Inside Higher Ed, Lake City, GA, United States


Job Title:

Director of Housing Operations Location:

Clayton State University Regular/Temporary:

Regular Full/Part Time:

Full-Time Job ID:

294978

About Us Located in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.

The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.

Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.

Job Summary The Director of Housing Operations provides leadership and oversight for all administrative aspects of the university’s housing operations that consists of one residence hall and two apartment complexes, approximately 1300 beds. This role manages staff, budgets, policies, and communications to ensure an efficient, student-centered, and high-quality residential experience. The Director serves as the central point of coordination for housing assignments, occupancy management, and operational processes, while collaborating with campus partners to support student success and engagement.

Responsibilities

Leadership, Supervision, and Staff Development

Supervise housing staff, including the Business Manager and Assignments Coordinator, providing direction, performance management, and professional development.

Oversee the hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of University Housing paraprofessional staff (Graduate Residence Directors, Resident Assistants, peer educators, student desk/mail assistants, and student interns).

Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that supports staff growth and success.

Housing Operations and Occupancy Management

Direct housing processes including assignments, move-in, move-out, and room readiness/turn in collaboration with the Housing Facilities team.

Lead recruitment efforts to maximize housing occupancy and oversee the eviction process when necessary.

Monitor occupancy trends, prepare occupancy and other required reports, and recommend strategies for improving housing operations.

Write, update, and enforce housing policies in alignment with institutional priorities.

Student and Parent Relations

Manage student and parent communications related to housing assignments, policies, and concerns.

Manage student relations, resolving issues and concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Collaborate with the Director of Residence Life to ensure alignment between operations and living-learning communities.

Financial Management and Planning

Oversee budgeting and financial planning for housing administrative operations.

Ensure resources are used efficiently and in support of departmental and institutional goals.

Compliance, Campus Engagement, and Service

Fulfill Campus Security Authority (CSA) responsibilities under the Clery Act, including incident reporting and compliance training.

Represent the department on university committees and serve as liaison to other departments and organizations on campus and in the community.

Prepare university, Board of Regents, and other ad hoc reports.

Other Duties

Serve as a backup point of contact for key maintenance coordination and urgent housing needs.

Perform other duties as assigned to support Housing Operations and the Division of Student Affairs.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Student Affairs, or related field required

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in housing operations, student housing, or related field.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Knowledge of student housing software systems and occupancy management tools preferred

Ability to learn and navigate enterprise systems and specialized software.

Preferred Qualifications

Supervisory experience

Experience with university systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner).

Master’s degree in student personnel, Higher Education Administration, or related fields

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Strong financial management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage students, parents, and campus partners.

Comprehensive knowledge of housing operations, occupancy management, and student housing best practices.

Strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, and data-driven decision-making.

Familiarity with higher education policies, student development theory, and housing-related legal requirements.

Knowledge of conflict resolution, crisis management, and student conduct processes.

Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to develop and mentor professional and paraprofessional staff.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex housing issues and improve operational efficiency.

Customer service and relationship-building skills that promote a positive residential experience.

Ability to make sound decisions under pressure, especially during emergencies or sensitive situations.

Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to support student success.

Ability to adapt to evolving student needs, housing trends, and institutional goals.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sensitive matters.

USG Core Values The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.218_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State's Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies

Conditions of Employment Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Clayton State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Clayton State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Clayton State University Office of Human Resources at (678) 466-4230. For individuals requiring disability-related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (678) 466-5445.

Physical Demands

May spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers. May occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Clery Disclosure This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.

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