Position Summary
Grinnell College is seeking a dynamic and collaborative leader to join our Student Affairs team as the Assistant/Associate Director of Residence Life. This role is all about shaping a vibrant residential experience where students feel a sense of belonging, engage deeply with their communities, and grow through meaningful learning outside the classroom.

As the Assistant/Associate Director, you will:

• Lead and mentor a talented team of live-in professional staff and a large, dedicated student staff.


• Champion our residential curriculum, with a focus on inclusive community building, civic engagement, and restorative practices.


• Partner with colleagues across campus to foster student success and well-being.


• Support our student conduct processes, ensuring they are rooted in fairness, accountability, and care.

Because this is a highly relational and responsive role with on-call responsibilities, the Associate Director is required to live within 20 minutes of Grinnell city limits.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead with vision and care: Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support to professional Residence Life Coordinators and indirect supervision to student staff. Help the team grow by setting clear expectations while amplifying individual strengths.


• Shape the student experience: Oversee student staff recruitment, selection, training, and the design and implementation of the residential curriculum.


• Collaborate across campus: Represent Residence Life on institutional committees, forging partnerships that advance departmental and divisional goals.


• Be part of the leadership team: Work closely with the Assistant Dean of Residence Life and Student Conduct and the Assistant Director for Housing Operations to set and achieve the strategic vision for the on-campus residential experience.


• Respond and support: Address student needs directly and mobilize staff to support care responses. Assist in student conduct processes, maintaining Maxient records, and meeting with students before and after hearings.


• Engage in on-call rotation: Serve weekly as part of the “Dean on Call” rotation, providing guidance and assistance to staff responding to student issues.