Director of Residential Life

Director of Residential Life

Salary

$50,000.00 Annually

Location

Collegeville, MN

Job Type Exempt, Administrative Staff, Full Time

Job Number 202500050

Department Residential Life - Prep School

Opening Date 10/29/2026

Description

• Saint John's Preparatory School invites applications for the full-time (.83FTE), benefit eligible position of Director of Residential Life. Since its founding in 1857, Saint John’s Preparatory School has provided exceptional education in the Catholic Benedictine tradition. Saint John's Preparatory School is a Catholic/Benedictine, co-educational, day and boarding college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12, with boarding options beginning in the 9th grade. Saint John's Prep is located on the 3,000 acres of woods and lakes of Saint John's University's campus in central Minnesota.

• Reporting to the Principal, the Director of Residential Life is responsible for collaborating with students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration to create and carry out the vision and mission of the SJP Residential Life Program. The Director of Residential Life provides leadership, guidance, and direct supervision for the team of Faculty Residents. This person will serve as the first point of contact for all dorm related questions, emergencies, etc.

• The Director of Residential Life is expected to be prepared to make critical, sometimes life-impacting decisions as the first responder for students' needs during non-office hours, including nights and weekends.

• The Director of Residential Life oversees and interacts dynamically with students in the hall; suggests, creates, and participates in activities; communicates with school personnel as needed; makes decisions related to discipline and safety issues and administers medications and other duties.

• The Order of Saint Benedict offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program. The posted wage represents OSB's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated. To learn more about Saint John's Prep School, please visit: sjprep.net

Responsibilities

• Ensure all resident students' health and safety while in the school's care. Develop a comprehensive residential life program that integrates all students of the Prep community through activities outside of the academic day, grounded in Benedictine Practices. Recruit, hire, train, supervise, support, and direct all Residential Life Staff. Create an inclusive, loving, family-like environment that focuses on positive relationships and authentic connections to best support the social-emotional needs of all residents. Establish and maintain healthy and respectful relationships with students and parents. Collaborate with the Principal and other staff to address student conduct with an educational and developmental approach grounded in Benedictine Practices. Collaborate with key constituents within the Saint John’s community including, but not limited to the Principal, Admissions, Counseling, Faculty, and Coaches. Manage the Residential Life program within the parameters of the budget. Maintain a high professional competence and expertise by participating in continuing education and job-related personal and professional growth experiences. Serve as a steward of Saint Michael Hall's physical plant resources, equipment, and grounds while maintaining a welcoming and well-kept resident hall environment. Represent the school in coordinating the After School Study program for all students. Connect with CSB/SJU to recruit college student tutors. Be the first point of contact and authority in the dorm building with the ability to function in a 24-hour on-call environment and maintain productivity. Attend to a work phone (provided) 24/7 in case of emergency. Respond to medical and mental health emergencies of the residential students. Lead the team of Faculty Residents, lead team meetings and dorm initiatives, create schedules, and delegate assignments as needed. Schedule appointments for residential students, transport them to appointments off campus, work with local providers, and manage the medical documentation/insurance, etc. of residential students. Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Valid MN driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Insurance requires a minimum age of 20 to drive our vehicles.
• Possess ability to respond to urgent/crisis situations in a professional and calm manner, ensuring campus emergency protocols and school policy are followed.
• Support, promote, and respect the school’s vision, mission and philosophy
• Exemplify the Benedictine Practices in both one’s personal and professional life
• Enjoy living and interacting with young adults, and work effectively with students living and learning in a multicultural environment
• Sensitive to the various needs of students from diverse backgrounds
• Possess a willingness to maintain a high level of competence. Discreet judgement and confidentiality are expected at this level of responsibility.
• Experience in residential life at a boarding program or higher education
• Experience connecting and working with international students
• Experience working with adolescents
• Awareness of educational software, Blackbaud or Schoology
• Understanding of Residential Software, Orah

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Ability to lift luggage, boxes, and packages up to 40 pounds
• Ability to be alert/awake until 11 PM and ability to be responsive overnight if needed
• Ability to drive fleet vehicles, including a 10-passenger van

ADDITIONAL REQUISITES: In addition to the qualifications noted on the job description, all employees are expected to abide by the following expectations:

• Ability to interact with the community of the Order of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University/College of Saint Benedict.
• Project a positive image of service, which represents the mission of Saint John's Prep.
• The ability to maintain a high level of competence. Prudent judgment and confidentiality are expected of all employees.
• Help create and foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment.
• Each employee's personal safety and health are of primary importance in our operation. Therefore, each employee has the responsibility to prevent accidents and injuries. In addition, the Order of Saint Benedict and its employees have the responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and departmental regulations related to safety and health.
• Possess the ability to respond to urgent/crises professionally and calmly, ensuring campus emergency protocols and school policy are followed.
• Support, promote, and respect the school's vision, mission, and philosophy
• Exemplify the Benedictine Practices in both one's personal and professional life
• Enjoy living and interacting with young adults and work effectively with students living and learning in a multicultural environment
• Sensitive to the various needs of students from diverse backgrounds
• Possess a willingness to maintain a high level of competence. Prudent judgment and confidentiality are expected at this level of responsibility.

Remuneration

Compensation for this position includes a salary of $50,000 for a 10-month term of employment which runs from mid-August and ends early June. The Director of Residential Life also receives a partly furnished 2-bedroom apartment with kitchen and private bathroom, free community laundry, parking, utilities, and high-speed internet access year-round. Summer Living: While the Director position is a 10-month appointment, we allow returning staff to remain in their apartments during the June and July non-working months. Stipends and summer provisional contracts may also be available for those wishing to gain further experience or compensation. Pet Policy: Only allowed animals in a tank under 60 gallons. The Abbey (Campus) does not allow leashed or unleashed pets or domesticated animals on their Campus as it is a wildlife refuge. Reasonable accommodations will be made for any comfort animals with documentation. Alcohol Policy: As the Abbey and University Campus is not "dry," our Faculty Resident and Director apartments do allow alcohol. However, students are not permitted in staff apartments. This policy is in place to protect the staff and the boarding students.