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Director of Residence Life and Dining Services

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
In addition to being located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE offers a competitive compensation package including base pay; PTO; 13 paid staff holidays per year; medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance plans; 403(b) retirement plan
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 403(b), retirement plan
United States, Wisconsin, Milwaukee
1025 North Broadway (Show on map)
Sep 15, 2025
Who We Are

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is an academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world - a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things

MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE's top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission

MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values - collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship - which represent the core of our campus culture. Under the leadership of Dr. John Walz, MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Summary

MSOE invites applications for a full-time Director of Residence Life and Dining Services to join our Residence Life team. The Director of Residence Life and Dining Services provides vision, leadership, and oversight for the university's residential initiatives and housing operations. The Director manages the dining services partnership, working closely with the contracted vendor to ensure that food operations meet institutional priorities for student satisfaction, wellness, and community engagement. In collaboration with campus partners, the Director fosters a vibrant, safe, and inclusive living and learning environment by leading professional and student staff and managing residential engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership for Residence Life professional staff, including the Associate Director, Community Directors, and Administrative Assistant.
  • Oversee departmental planning, budget development, policy implementation, and compliance with university and legal standards.
  • Collaborate with division leaders and campus partners to support institutional initiatives.
  • Serve as the university's liaison to the dining services vendor, monitoring contract performance, advocating for student needs, and aligning dining operations with institutional goals.
  • Collaborate with the Associate Director to ensure housing operations, facilities management, and occupancy systems effectively support student engagement and residential learning outcomes.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of residence life programming and departmental initiatives.
  • Guide staff in fostering inclusive communities, co-curricular engagement, and leadership development.
  • Serve as a key responder for student concerns and crises, and oversee a student-centered residence life conduct process that emphasizes education, restorative practices, and compliance with institutional policy.
  • Provide training, professional development, and evaluation for residence life staff.
  • Partner with faculty and campus stakeholders to integrate learning into the residential experience.
  • Provide strategic guidance for off-campus housing partnerships and student support, working with the Associate Director on assignments, compliance, and community standards.
  • Lead the department's on-call crisis response system and ensure effective emergency management.
  • Utilize the NaBITA Risk Rubric and serve as an active member of the university's CARE Team to assess, manage, and respond to student concerns, crises, and behaviors of concern.


Other Duties & Responsibilities

  • Actively provide oversight for Office of Residence Life and Dining Services
  • Be an active participant in university-wide committees and divisional initiatives
  • Represent MSOE at internal and external events


This above list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

  • Master's degree required, preferably in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in residence life or related student affairs roles.
  • Demonstrated success supervising professional staff and leading large student staff teams.
  • Proven ability to design, implement, and assess residential engagement or educational programming.
  • Commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive residential communities.
  • Strong record of collaboration with facilities, dining, and other campus partners.
  • Experience in housing operations, crisis response, student conduct, and behavioral intervention, including use of tools such as the NaBITA Risk Rubric and participation on a CARE Team or equivalent.
  • Budget management, strategic planning, and assessment skills, with the ability to use data and benchmarking to inform decision-making.
  • Experience contributing to housing master planning, enrollment management, and student success initiatives.
  • Proficiency with housing management and student information systems (e.g., Jenzabar) and Microsoft 365.


Skills and Abilities

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and parents.
  • Demonstrated integrity and ability to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
  • Effective written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
  • Ability to lead complex, high-impact initiatives using a systems perspective.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the use of data and numbers to inform decisions.
  • Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and safety regulations with sound judgment.


Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee is largely sedentary, the ability to move is required. The employee is occasionally required to traverse within their work area as well as other areas on campus.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role uses standard office equipment, including but not limited to computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Why Join MSOE?

At MSOE, we invest in our employees' professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It is the policy of MSOE to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all jobs at the University and to all the terms, benefits, and conditions of employment/enrollment.

Job Code: 222
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