We're Hiring!

Title: Resident Director/Student Experience
VP Area: VP - Student Experience
Department: Dean of Students
Position Compensation: $36,700 – $37,000 / year
Location: Main Campus

Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.

Position Summary:
This position is responsible to oversee the community of the residence hall to develop an interpersonal environment that maximizes growth in the lives of students attending the university. This includes both collective and individual attention to students’ overall well-being such that they are best situated to succeed and thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

Temporary position scheduled to end on May 29, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:
• In partnership with other deans and directors in Student Experience, actively pursue upperclassmen students who may be at risk for significant negative academic impact because of various life circumstances including mental, emotional and/or physical health needs in the collective effort to best resource them for academic success. Through one on one meetings, actively pursue upperclassmen students already determined to be at risk academically because of prior poor academic performance to both offer and reinforce relevant academic support services.
• Provide leadership to the facilitation of a Christian community environment that challenges and enables upperclassmen students to grow through integration of faith, living and learning; responsible to maintain a safe clean facility where residents are expected to behave in a mature/responsible manner in relation to their roommates/neighbors. Counsel upperclassmen students in the areas of personal growth involving academic excellence, spiritual enrichment and healthy social relationships.
• Scheduling and managing duty shifts and accountability of RAs on duty.
• Coordinate projects and tasks assigned to RAs on duty as directed by department staff.
• Various administrative tasks including the collection and distribution of misc. paperwork (forms, rosters, surveys, evaluations, etc.).
• Student Leader staff care including one-on-one meetings, providing general support and encouragement, and assisting in necessary discipline and/or accountability.
• Assist with portions of student leader training.
• Assist supervisor and other department staff in planning and implementation of various student leader events, including A-Train socials, Fall department all-staff socials, Debrief Retreat, etc.
• Assist with various tasks related to the management and organization of Residence Life specific offices, workrooms, storage areas, etc.
• Assist Housing Office with various tasks related to housing, including check-in and check-out, signups, etc.
• Participate in the development, promotion, and facilitation of seminars, workshops, and educational programming ensuring relevance to upperclassmen student needs, issues, and concerns. Attend training sessions, staff retreats, and other relevant functions as requested by the Deans.
• Demonstrate administrative competence through efficient attention to upperclassmen student housing tasks, including assistance with and/or coordination of check-in and check-out, early and late arrivals, returning student sign-ups, and room changes. Ensure enforcement of policies related to department (university, local, state, federal). Participate in student discipline procedures.
• Maintain awareness of maintenance repairs, directing students to proper maintenance personnel.
• RD is required to live in the UNW residence hall assigned (rent free) and participate in rotating on-call duty schedule with other Resident Directors for weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
• Assist with miscellaneous department duties as requested.

In collaboration with supervisor:
• Participate in the selection and development of Resident Assistants (RAs), Assistant Resident Directors (ARDs), and Resident Discipleship Assistants (RDAs) through interviews, training, retreats and one-on-one support.
• Using the established department Outcomes, create and implement a biblically-based, student leadership development curriculum that encourages persistence to graduation.
• Oversee an assigned team of Resident Assistants, Resident Discipleship Assistants, and Assistant Resident Director(s) through weekly team meetings and one-on-one meetings.

Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students, all employees act as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students in growing intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to mature in their faith.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Previous work experience applicable to the aforementioned responsibilities
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community

Nice to Have:
• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Education, Ministry, Student Affairs, or related area
• Previous leadership experience directly related to residence experience

Key Skills:
• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision.
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately.
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and related software.
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Crisis Response: Ability to respond maturely, professionally, and calmly in crisis situations
• Safety Training: Ability to obtain and maintain necessary safety training (i.e., CPR, First Aid, etc.)
• On-Site Residency: Ability to reside in the residence hall
• Flexibility: Ability to maintain a flexible schedule, with the ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel occasionally for work-related purposes.
• Financial Oversight: Experience managing budgets and financial resources within assigned responsibilities.
• Driver’s License: Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment.

Work Environment:
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.

Northwestern's Benefits Overview