Area Hall Director

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included.

Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential.

We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose :

The Area Hall Director supports learning by building community, developing leaders in our residence halls, and focusing on student retention efforts.

This is a full-time, live-in position and Area Hall Directors are expected to be active and visible members of our residence communities.

The Area Hall Directors are expected to enhance the living environment of the residence hall through staff and student development, resident outreach, community building, attention to facilities, and administrative organization.

Individuals who are able to work in a continuously changing organization and are highly motivated are best suited for this position.

Core Competencies :

Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve.

Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.

Upholds the Mission Statement : Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.

As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives.

We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.

• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions :

• Provides leadership to the Hall Director team via developing and conducting professional staff training and development.
• Acts as a liaison to the Aurora University Pathways program, working closely with the Director of the program, students, and family members to fulfill the program vision in West Hall.
• Supervises 8-12 Resident Assistants assigned to the residence hall / area. Provides regular individual and group supervision, ongoing professional development, and training as well as completes written evaluations each semester.
• Establishes and maintains community with students living in the residence hall / area through individual contacts and group interactions.
• Enforces policies and procedures which establish a safe and secure living situation. Responds to emergency and crisis situations and effectively communicates concerning situations to supervisor(s).
• Serves as a conduct officer for the Office of Campus Life in addressing alleged policy violations. Addresses inappropriate behavior of students and, in following due process, determines fair and appropriate sanctions with educational outcomes.

Makes conduct and counseling referrals as appropriate.

• Provides administrative leadership in the assigned residence hall / area, including knowledge of occupancy, overseeing a key inventory, tracking area community development / programming initiatives, etc.
• Maintains a high level of awareness regarding the facilities of the assigned residence hall / area, including submitting and following up on work orders, communicating building updates to students, conducting regular building walk-throughs, and overseeing the damage process for the residence hall / area while maintaining accurate records.
• Assists to coordinate various hall openings and closings.
• Performs collateral assignment(s), as directed, including but not limited to responsibilities in Title IX responsibilities, student worker management, summer camp oversight, assistance with other Aurora University departments as needed and various departmental administrative responsibilities such as social media management, departmental email management, contract management, and occupancy management.
• Participates in rotating 24 hour on-campus duty responsibilities in supervising the campus.
• Establishes positive working relationships with campus colleagues providing referrals to students to various departments as needed, aiding in the overall retention of students at Aurora University.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, and training of Resident Assistants.
• Utilizes departmental assessment data to set action plans for their residence area, and assists in departmental planning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and desire to work in group and team atmosphere.
• Assistance in occasional evening and weekend work requirements as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements :

Education :

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.

Experience :

Knowledge of higher education and student development principles, practices, and procedures. Prior residence life experience preferred.

Skills :

Effective oral / written communication, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and excellent time management skills.

Special Requirements :

24 hour rotation of on-campus duty responsibilities in supervising the campus.

Physical Requirements :

Ability to move about campus. Active engagement throughout campus with the ability to move around to assess facilities.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University

Human Resources

347 South Gladstone Ave

Aurora, IL 60506

[email protected] - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.