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Graduate Residence Hall Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$66K/yr

Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) are professionals responsible for program development, oversight of Resident Advisers, advisement of a Hall Council and support of students living in one building.

Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) are professionals responsible for program development, oversight of Resident Advisers, advisement of a Hall Council and support of students living in one building.

Residence Director (48,346 plus apartment)Residence Life St. Edward's University of Austin, Texas ... hall or apartment complex, which include: office operations, facility management, room assignments ...

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Graduate Residence Hall Director information

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$19.5K

$43.8K

$68.5K

How much do graduate residence hall director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate residence hall director in the United States is $43,838.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,500.00 and $51,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate residence hall director?

Graduate Residence Hall Directors are graduate students who oversee the operations, safety, and community development within a college or university residence hall. They are responsible for supervising resident assistants (RAs), facilitating programming, addressing student concerns, and enforcing housing policies. These directors act as a resource for students, promoting a positive living environment and supporting residents' academic and personal growth. Typically, they balance these duties while pursuing their own graduate studies.

What are the main challenges a graduate residence hall director may face during the academic year?

As a Graduate Residence Hall Director, you may encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with supporting residents' well-being, addressing conflicts among students, and responding to emergencies after hours. Managing a diverse community requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to mediate disputes while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. Additionally, you'll need to coordinate with other campus departments and supervise resident assistants, making time management and communication essential for success in this dynamic role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate residence hall director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Residence Hall Director, you need a background in student affairs, leadership, and conflict resolution, often supported by enrollment in a graduate program related to higher education or counseling. Familiarity with university housing management software, conduct reporting systems, and emergency protocols is typically required. Strong communication, cultural competency, and crisis management skills help you connect with diverse student populations and resolve issues effectively. These abilities are crucial for fostering a safe, supportive living environment and ensuring the well-being and development of residents.

What is the difference between Graduate Residence Hall Director vs Resident Advisor?

AspectGraduate Residence Hall DirectorResident Advisor
Required CredentialsGraduate degree or pursuing one, relevant experienceUndergraduate student status, training provided
Work EnvironmentCampus residence halls, administrative and supervisory rolesResident halls, peer support and community building
Employer & Industry UsageColleges and universities, housing departmentsStudent housing programs, campus life offices

The Graduate Residence Hall Director typically holds or is pursuing a graduate degree and manages residence hall operations, staff, and student conduct. In contrast, Resident Advisors are usually undergraduate students who provide peer support, foster community, and assist with programming. While both roles are integral to campus housing, the Graduate Residence Hall Director has more administrative responsibilities and requires more advanced credentials.

What cities are hiring for Graduate Residence Hall Director jobs?

Cities with the most Graduate Residence Hall Director job openings:

What states have the most Graduate Residence Hall Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Graduate Residence Hall Director jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Residence Hall Director jobs?

For Graduate Residence Hall Director jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Graduate Residence Hall Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,838 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Residence Hall Director

Manhattan, NY โ€ข On-site

Columbia University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schoolsย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$66K/yr

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Bargaining Unit:
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • End Date if Temporary:
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Standard Work Schedule:
  • Building:
  • Salary Range: $66,300 - $66,300 Annually

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to an Associate Director, this live-in position oversees community development and provides a living learning experience for undergraduate students living in one or more residence halls. Residence Hall Directors (RHDs) are professionals responsible for program development, oversight of Resident Advisers, advisement of a Hall Council and support of students living in one building. RHDs assume collateral assignments with partnered offices to offer educational programming to undergraduate students. RHDs provide crisis intervention, resolve issues, or refer as appropriate. Strong administrative and counseling skills are utilized. RHDs conduct initial investigation of alleged University and residence hall policy violations. RHDs must be able to work autonomously, demonstrate initiative, display strong commitment to student learning, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner offices across the University. This position is assigned rotational on-call duties after-hours/weekend/holiday to address any residential emergency for the entire undergraduate residential population. As an essential staff member, RHDs may be required to respond to emergencies in addition to their on-call duties.

Responsibilities
  • Student Wellness and Conduct: Assist students in taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of fellow community members and the physical environment. Provide support to students experiencing wellness related concerns. Document conduct concerns and adjudicate cases as needed. Keep accurate records of conflicts, student interactions, and disciplinary conferences in accordance with federal reporting standards of the Clery Act of the Department of Education. Know and communicate all school-specific and University rules and regulations in relation to residential living.
  • Health & Safety and On-Call: As an essential staff member, serve on the emergency crisis response team and adhere to University and department protocols and policies; share on-call coverage for campus. RHDs serve as on-site responders and follow-up on incidents, provide direction to RAs, contact other professionals around facilities, health and public health concerns (e.g., pandemic), emotional and behavioral emergencies, suicidal behavior, sexual assaults, and police activity; liaise with medical facilities/hospitals; and appropriately notify parents and guardians. Counsel, advise, and provide referrals for residents in need of professional services.
  • Administration: Attend required meetings, including departmental, area, committee, one-on-ones, and Hall Council. Maintain program calendar for residential community. Support check-in and check-out, including summer session if applicable. Responsible for hall budget and day-to-day spending.
  • Resident Adviser oversight & development: RHD will train and oversee 8-16 Resident Advisers), facilitate weekly team meetings, and implement and initiate individual and team development in the residence hall community. RHD is an active and visible presence at meetings and events beyond usual business hours.
  • Student & community development: Build a sense of community supporting a living and learning environment: Advise Hall Council, providing direction and information on University policies and procedures. Serve as a partner in studentsโ€™ development, establishing partnerships with appropriate offices.
  • Campus Partnerships & Committee Work: Work with appropriate staff to monitor the up-keep of the residence halls; supervise a monthly building tour; support students' efforts to maintain residence halls. Serve as Chair, Co-Chair, or member of departmental committee. Staff large-scale, community events. Serve on additional teams or committees within Undergraduate Student Life or the University.
  • Professional Development: Commit to on-going professional growth and learning. Assess programs to improve the quality of the residential experience.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
  • Minimum two yearsโ€™ related experience.
  • Required to live on campus and be available year round to respond to and address residential student concerns and emergencies during regular business hours and beyond.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of residence life, student wellness, leadership development, multicultural theory and program development.
  • Must have strong communication skills with young adults from diverse backgrounds.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and discretion are essential.
  • Well-organized administrative skills and computer literacy required. Specifically, must be well versed in using web-based programs, Microsoft Office, and email.
  • Must be available for after-hours/weekend/holiday on-call duties on a rotational basis to address any residential emergency.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in Higher Education, Student Personnel Administration, Counseling or related field.
  • Experience following up on student wellness concerns, and working with young adults in an urban setting.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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