Assistant Director of Student Life - Operations

Location: Portland, Maine

About Maine College of Art \& Design

Maine College of Art \& Design (MECA\&D) seeks a student\-centered, highly organized

Assistant Director of Student Life – Operations to join its Student Life team.

Located in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Arts District, MECA\&D is a nationally

recognized college of art and design that fosters a diverse, inclusive, and creative

learning community. Student Life plays a central role in supporting students’

residential experience, engagement, well\-being, and success—both inside and

outside the classroom.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean of Student Life, the Assistant Director of Student Life –

Operations supports the coordination and execution of housing operations,

including applications and placements, contract administration, database

management, room turnover, and cross\-departmental collaboration with Facilities,

Business Services, and other campus partners.

As a member of the Student Life team, the Assistant Director participates in a

shared professional on\-call rotation and assists in responding to student

emergencies in the residence halls and on campus. The role includes regular

interaction with students through mentoring, advising, and day\-to\-day engagement

and requires flexibility to support evening and weekend programs, student needs,

and College operations.

The Assistant Director is cross\-trained with other Student Life staff to ensure

operational continuity across office management, student employee supervision,

and housing support.

Key Responsibilities

Housing and Student Life Operations (50%)

• Provide day\-to\-day leadership and operational oversight for residential life

and housing operations for assigned residence halls. Maintain a significant

on\-campus presence by residing in a College\-furnished residence hall

apartment and participating in a 24/7 on\-call rotation for the residential

community (approximately 500 students).

• Support housing operations for current students, new students, Pre\-College,

and summer programs, including housing applications and contracts; room

assignments and changes; room inspections; key and FOB inventory and

processes; floor plan development; and accurate data entry and verification

within the College’s housing management systems (e.g., Jenzabar).

• Coordinate building turnover and room readiness in partnership with

Facilities and monitor residence hall and room conditions, furniture

inventory, and shared spaces.

• Support the consistent interpretation and enforcement of College policies

and procedures, serving as a student conduct hearing officer for assigned

first\-level cases. Assist with institutional response to public health and

safety requirements as needed.

• Maintain accurate housing rosters, reports, and inventory records, and

communicate housing\-related changes to the Business Office and other

campus partners.

• Support administrative operations of the Student Life Office, including

management of communications, calendars, social media, shared digital

files, data systems, and front\-facing office functions.

• Provide timely responses to student and parent inquiries and refer

individuals to appropriate campus resources. Support the Dean of Student

Life with student retention\-related initiatives and operational needs.

• Participate in a 24/7 on\-call rotation for the residential community, providing

crisis response, decision\-making, and supervision of Resident Assistants

during on\-call periods.

Student Engagement and Retention (35%)

• Provide mentoring and coaching support to assigned students and

contribute to student retention efforts through direct outreach and

intervention in collaboration with the Dean of Student Life and the START

team.

• Support oversight of student retention\-related software, reporting, and

assessment efforts.

• Support Student Life and College\-wide programs and initiatives and

represent Student Life on College committees, at staff meetings, and at key

institutional events such as Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, Family

Weekend, and Commencement.

• Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to foster environments

of belonging, mutual trust, and respect, and contribute to a campus culture

that supports student engagement, persistence, and success.

Operations and Administrative Support (15%)

• Support the Dean of Student Life with projects, programs, events,

communications, and data\-related initiatives.

• Assist with data collection, reporting, and analysis to inform Student Life

planning and decision\-making.

• Provide general operational support to the Student Life Office as assigned to

ensure effective day\-to\-day functioning.

• Provide responsibility and oversight for Pre\-College Student Life functions.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications / Experience / Skills \& Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Higher Education

Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field preferred.

• Two or more years of professional experience in student engagement,

student affairs, or program development, with preference for residence life

or resident assistant experience.

• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in crisis intervention and student support preferred.
• A solid foundation in student development theory is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building inclusive and welcoming campus

environments.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and problem\-solving

skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively

in a fast\-paced, student\-centered environment.

• Ability to adapt work schedules to a year\-round academic calendar,

including evening, weekend, and on\-call responsibilities.

• Ability to perform the essential physical and operational functions of the

role, including lifting up to 25 pounds; responding to urgent and emergency

situations across campus buildings; navigating stairs and walking between

buildings; conducting visual inspections; completing incident reports; and

operating College vehicles in accordance with policy, with or without

reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

This is a full\-time position with a starting salary of $50,250\.00 annually. Benefits

include healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; short\- and

long\-term disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 403(b) plan with a 5%

employer match; generous paid time off; and more.

This position also offers on\-campus housing and a campus meal plan.

Ready to Apply?

To apply, please submit the following as a single PDF to employment@meca.edu:

1\. A cover letter describing your interest and alignment with the position;

2\. A current résumé or CV;

3\. A list of three to five professional references, including at least one former

supervisor.

Recognizing that no candidate will possess all the relevant skills and experience,

we encourage you to apply if you align with many of the qualifications and

interests in this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the

position is filled.

Maine College of Art \& Design is committed to fully including all qualified

individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is required to participate in the

application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other

employment benefits, please contact Human Resources at hr@meca.edu.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Maine College of Art \& Design is committed to fostering a welcoming and

respectful environment where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed

based on their talents, qualifications, and achievements. We uphold the principles

of fairness, merit, and equal opportunity in our academic and professional

community.

Maine College of Art \& Design complies with all applicable federal and state laws

regarding non\-discrimination and does not discriminate based on race, color,

national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, physical

or mental disability, ancestry, religion, genetic predisposition, familial status, receipt

of a final protection order, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic

protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of the College’s

educational programs, admissions, employment, financial aid, and other

institutionally administered programs.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, and selection decisions are made

based on individual merit and institutional needs.