Assistant Director of Residential Life for Conferences, Events and Residential Operations - 1023980-6689

at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Provide leadership and direction to the Conference Services, Events and Residential Operations team, developing and planning for programs, services and operations within a residential curriculum model.
• Direct a dynamic staff structure to effectively meet the needs of residents, guests, conference groups, and all staff.
• Work collaboratively with other University Housing executive leaders to develop, recommend, modify and implement standards, best practices, and related policies and procedures.
• Review and approves exceptions or waivers related to operational policies and procedures.
• Respond to requests from the Director of Residential Life and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary, Health & Wellbeing and Executive Director of University Housing to resolve special requests.
• Direct the planning and coordination of the "Protection of Minors" process for University Housing to ensure safety for residents and guests under the age of 18.
• Develop relationships with various Residential Life, University Housing, Student Affairs, campus and community partners and serve on committees as the department representative.
• Lead and direct committees and project teams on programs and projects required by local, state or federal rules, regulation, or by law.
• Lead and guide operations to incorporate university, divisional, and departmental strategic priorities and learning outcomes in all areas of practice and implementation of the University Housing and Residential Life program.
• Direct staff in the evaluation of programs and services, leveraging data-based decisions making to strategically plan for improvement and success for space reservations, break housing, move-in, summer conference, etc.
• Participate with Residential Life leadership in a year-round on-call rotation to support the residence hall and apartment staff in managing emergencies and crisis incidents.

• Provide leadership, direction and administrative oversight of the conference program.
• Strategically engage in conference planning, outreach and engagement to build and retain conference business in conjunction with members of the Auxiliary, Health, and Wellbeing Conference and Event Services leadership team.
• Coordinate and direct operational integration to align efforts and ensure effective and efficient delivery of services with all functional areas and units in University Housing and lead overall operational integration with all campus stakeholders related to conference services.
• Manage the development and maintenance of booking and reservation methods utilizing current technology and software (StarRez, EMS Space Reservations System) to ensure excellent customer service.
• Manage and monitor all financial operations related to conferences, making budgetary recommendations and/or proposals to further efficiency and revenue growth efforts.

• Coordinate and manage staff in completing scheduled operational transitions (summer operations to academic year, academic year to summer operations).Processes would include but are not limited to interim summer housing, pre-early arrival housing and early arrival housing for students, student employees, and other campus units.
• Strategically collaborate with Residential Life Leadership Team and committees to direct staff on the move-in processes.
• Provide leadership, direction and administrative oversight of the daily operations, procedures, and policies within the SDRP and ISR programming space, including but not limited to the management of space reservations, room set-up, and signage display.
• Develop relationships and lead overall operational integration with non-affiliated University Housing groups and campus departments balancing the services provided by the SDRP and ISR programming space with the mission of University Housing.
• Develop, manage and monitor respective budgets and make budgetary recommendation and/or proposals to increase efficiency and revenue growth efforts related to the SDRP building and ISR programming space.
• Develop collaborative relationships with other Housing units to coordinate and plan break housing.

• Represent and serve as the Residential Life liaison to the University Housing Project Management Office, Dining Services, student organizations and other units that may plan large-scale events in the residence halls, SDRP and ISR programming space.
• Provide training and guidance to staff and student leaders regarding campus and department policies and procedures in planning large-scale events in the residence halls, SDRP and ISR programming space.
• Provide oversight of the meal and guest meal ticket program for non-affiliated with University Housing groups.

• Master's degree.
• Five (5) years of full-time work experience in conferences, hotel management, event planning, housing, hospitality or other business auxiliary of a university or college.
• Two (2) years of experience supervising staff or leading a team.
• Experience being responsible for budget development and management.
• Technical skills (computer and data systems).
• Ability to work with a diverse student population, staff, and University guests.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

• Two (2) years of experience within a college/university setting.
• Proven track record in sales, conference management, event planning or space management.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and understand the full scope of an issue.
• Demonstrated skills in managing competing priorities and multiple tasks/projects.