Assistant Director - Apartment Life

Assistant Director - Apartment LifeThe Assistant Director Apartment Life, a mid-level manager within University Student Housing, oversees the day-to-day operations, activities, and staff for MSU's University Student Housing's apartment community of 700 students and their families/associates. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, the Assistant Director Apartment Life (AD) is a full-time, live-on staff member who actively engages on a day-to-day basis with an apartment community of 700 students, their families/associates. The AD focuses on retention and success of non-traditional students, upperclassmen, and graduate students residing in university-operated apartments. This role supports the whole household experience, recognizing that family well-being, connection, and stability are central to student success. Duties and responsibilities include: Oversee the daily operations of 7 apartment communities in areas related to community standards, student conduct, community development, personnel, safety, and security. Oversee new-tenant welcome and orientation efforts for apartment communities. Ensure housing contract compliance and works with the Associate Director of Administrative Operations to ensure rents due from occupants are kept current and in good standing. Collaborate with the Associate Director for Administrative Operations and the Associate Director of Building Services to oversee the assignment processes and operational aspects at the apartment communities to maximize occupancy. Performs a wide variety of administrative tasks in support of Housing's and MSU's processes. Ensures compliance with all policies and guidelines. Monitor budgets and ensure program expenses align with departmental goals. Manage staff resources to address a variety of student issues, including mental health, by working closely with the Behavioral Intervention Team, University Police, Dean of Students, and other campus partners. Directly supervises 2 live-in Community Directors (community engagement and community operations) and oversees the work of 22 student staff. Responsible for implementing programming and promoting retention tailored to meet the needs of non-traditional, upper-class, and graduate students and tailored to engage children and family members of student tenants, especially during school breaks. Contribute to long-term planning and assessment initiatives to enhance apartment operations. Act as a primary resource and advocate for apartment residents, connecting them to relevant campus and community services. Participate in Housing's campus-wide emergency response rotation and react to emergency situations as needed across Housing areas. Actively participates as a member of the team while performing other duties in support of the department's mission Required qualifications include: Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, business administration, public administration, property management, student affairs, or a related field plus three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in operations management, residential communities, student services, property management, or a related environment or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience supervising full-time professional staff and/or leading multi-layered teams. Experience coordinating complex processes involving multiple stakeholders (e.g., facilities, behavioral intervention, conduct, customer service, academic units, or compliance partners). Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities, oversee operational workflows, and ensure accountability in a dynamic environment. Experience responding to complex or sensitive situations involving policy interpretation, conflict resolution, or crisis response. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with various populations and stakeholders. Demonstrated success in program development, implementation, or service delivery that supports client/customer success and retention. Preferred qualifications include: Master's degree in higher education administration, student affairs, or related field. Full-time professional experience in university housing, residence life, or multi-unit housing. Experience working with graduate students, student parents, international students, non-traditional students, or family housing populations. Experience managing housing contracts, facilitating contract terminations, or overseeing eligibility verification and compliance processes. Experience adjudicating or supporting policy enforcement processes in a residential or tenant-based environment. Working knowledge of property management principles, efficient occupancy management, and tenant satisfaction. Experience developing on-boarding education for tenants/residents related to housing expectations, rent processes, community standards, and community resources. Knowledge of federal, state, or institutional policies relevant to housing operations or tenant compliance. Experience serving on a leadership team contributing to strategic planning or organizational development. Experience planning community events that foster connection, engagement, and a sense of belonging in apartment communities. The successful candidate will: Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of a university residential housing operation. Exhibit strong self-motivation to conduct work in support of residents and other campus students. Competent at creating and supporting student engagement programming to support university efforts for recruitment and retention. Demonstrate strong and effective communication and presentation skills in front of groups of varying size. Exhibit effective training techniques Demonstrate extensive experience in facilitating change, managing conflict, and problem solving. Exhibit effective interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate employees to perform at and sustain a high level of quality. Be sensitive to the needs of residents and have an extensive knowledge of customer service. Have the ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology. Demonstrate expertise in exercising good judgment and making consistent decisions. Be self-motivated, takes initiative and works independently. Exhibit logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions. Exhibit proficient computer expertise. Demonstrate the ability to make on the spot decisions based on knowledge of state and university policies, procedures, department goals and objectives. Have an understanding of federal and state laws pertaining to housing. Have excellent attention to detail and ability to multitask while meeting hard deadlines and capacity to work effectively and efficiently under extreme deadline pressure. Represent the department in a courteous and professional manner. Position special requirements/additional information include: Full-time, live-on position with a furnished apartment and a board plan (when the food service is open for residential service). Occasional travel for professional development. Will work evenings, weekends, long hours, holidays (as needed) and consecutive days without breaks during peak times. Will participate in Housing's campus-wide emergency response rotation and react to emergency situations as needed across Housing areas Physical demands include: Navigate campus and the areas in and around the residence halls and apartment communities. Occasionally move and place items to 30 lbs. Occasionally work outside and in inclement weather. This position has supervisory duties? Yes Applications will be screened starting March 18, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.