Job Description

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Closes: July 28, 2025

Position Title:

Director of Residences and Student Operations (formerly "Dean of Students")

Office:

Office of Residences and Student Operations

Supervisor

Principal

Hours:

35 hours per week, in person (flexible schedule required).

Compensation:

$129,581 - $145,000

Pay Band:

PM4

Terms:

Full-time permanent position (in-person)

Posting date:

July 11, 2025

Closing date:

July 28, 2025

Apply to:

hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca

Attention: Human Resources

(please include your full name and position title in subject line of email when submitting resume and cover letter)

ABOUT ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE

The University of St. Michael's College boasts a diverse and vibrant community of over 5,400 undergraduate students registered within the Faculty of Arts and Science at the world-renowned University of Toronto.



The College is home to students enrolled across a full range of the undergraduate courses and programs offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science. It also sponsors four acclaimed interdisciplinary programs (Book & Media Studies, Celtic Studies, Christianity and Culture, Medieval Studies) and numerous first-year courses. These courses and programs are open to all students in the Faculty of Arts and Science and are grounded in the interdisciplinary strengths, intellectual history, and special collections and resources housed within the College.



St. Michael's is home to one of the busiest and most popular libraries on the St. George campus; to an acclaimed art collection; to a Print Studio featuring a variety of working historic printing presses; to an Academic Success Centre housing dedicated supports in writing, research, and learning strategy; and to a dynamic community of student groups and clubs. It is also home to a recognized community of supportive faculty, fellows, and librarians who teach across various subjects at U of T and who participate actively in the provision of mentorship, research, and co-curricular opportunities for undergraduates.



Located in the downtown core only steps away from the Royal Ontario Museum, Queen's Park, and the two main subway lines, St. Michael's offers a "home away from home" to commuter and resident students alike. The College is well-known for its beautiful historic grounds and peaceful campus setting. Home to a variety of residence buildings that range from historic old houses to more modern constructions, it provides a unique residence experience to over 650 undergraduate students. It also provides the atmosphere of a friendly and characterful neighbourhood to all students across a variety of spaces that include a library late-night cafe, a Wellness Studio, numerous green spaces, and a basketball court.



Committed to supporting and empowering students in all aspects of their university experience, St. Michael's continues to build upon its informing strengths in teaching and scholarly excellence, academic support, interdisciplinary exploration, and the provision of a close-knit community that recognizes the uniqueness of every student's journey. It thrives on the energy and engagement of a student community encouraged to explore, discover, and apply their learning, ambition, and curiosity to an active engagement with the wider community. Never complacent in this commitment to the student experience and ever-responsive to the enlivening potential of challenge and initiative, St. Michael's is currently embarking upon a renewed investment in key areas of student support.

POSITION SUMMARY

St. Michael's College is seeking an exceptional and experienced leader to act as Director of Residences and Student Operations (DRS). Reporting to the Principal, the Director strategically directs and oversees the operations and administrative functioning of the Residence Life portfolio managed by the Manager, Residence Life and the Residence Operations portfolio managed by a two-person team. They act as the leading staff liaison with recognized student organizations and hold dotted-line supervisory responsibility over the Programs Lead staff in relation to their work with student unions, clubs, student-run events, and student facilities.



The student-facing ethos of St. Michael's College is defined by many units (e.g. faculty, Registrar, librarians, etc.) working together to ensure a seamless relationship between classroom learning, intentional and varied co-curricular programming, academic support and advising, and the provision of outward-facing opportunities for a large and diverse body of students. Energetic, enthusiastic, and collaborative, the successful candidate will possess an instinctive appreciation for and commitment to this collaborative investment in the student experience.



The Director is the official point of contact between the College and the St. Michael's College Student Union (SMCSU) and recognized student organizations. As such, they ensure operational and fiduciary oversight and lead (where relevant) in the training of students in their positions of leadership and management. They direct and oversee the formulation, assessment, and enforcement of all student residence policies and institutional policies relating to student-organized events. They also lead and facilitate communications around joint capital ventures between the Student Improvement Fund and College administration, ensuring thorough, appropriate, and data-supported consultation with a large body of students and with College stakeholders.



The successful candidate will be a strong advocate for the unique value of the College experience both within and outside of the University of Toronto. They will be ever-cognizant of and strategically responsive to the various factors that determine residence occupancy -- and acutely aware of the fiscal importance of residence operations within a federated college. They will represent St. Michael's College to the University of Toronto on matters pertaining to residence life and care, admissions, housing operations, and student unions/clubs. They will be a key member of the Orientation Steering Committee and help to ensure appropriate budgeting, event management, staffing, and safety/discipline. They will participate collaboratively and strategically in cross-unit College recruitment initiatives, with a particular focus on residence life and on articulating student community experience in relation to the larger, cohesive College vision.



The Director will be a senior member of the cross-unit SMC Care Team that is being established to ensure holistic attention to academic, financial, and other realities that can inform student well-being and conduct. The Team is as much strategic as it is responsive, and will be constantly gauging and assessing supports, procedures, and process across College and University support and advising teams. Highly experienced in leading after-hours crisis management and care, cognizant of the complex factors that can influence student well-being, the successful candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of College, University, and community resources and referral mechanisms available to ensure holistic student care. They will also be expected to act as the "third tier" point of contact in cases of extreme crisis or emergency in the residences.



An excellent, empathetic educator with a strong understanding of policies and procedures in relation to the management of individual and collective student well-being and institutional liability, the DRS will act as the ultimate point of escalation for addressing complex student concerns and conflicts in residence, including conduct and disciplinary issues. They will also act as the recognized initial point of contact for Code of Student Conduct matters arising from Residence Life, Student Union/recognized student clubs, student-organized events, and Orientation.



In keeping with the collaborative ethos and shared vision of the student-facing College offices, the Director must embrace a leadership style that is simultaneously confident and consultative, where decision-making is always thoroughly informed. In their proactive engagement with other relevant departments and stakeholders both within and outside their unit and College, their leadership acts as a model of collaborative interaction and collegiality to others on their team.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree. Master of Social Work or other related graduate degree (e.g., education, student affairs, leadership, public policy) preferred.



Certification in one or more areas of suicide prevention, first aid, or conflict resolution from an accredited body preferred.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of six years of progressive full-time leadership experience in residence admissions, residence operations, crisis management and/or student affairs. Proven ability to interpret a variety of university, portfolio, and department policies and procedures for decision-making purposes. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and operations management. Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Demonstrated ability to engage with, interpret, and act according to relevant legislation and operations. Experience in the strategic management of university housing, including admissions. Experience in strategic development and implementation of student programming. Experience in strategic development and oversight of large student-oriented activities (e.g. Orientation). Experience in working in an oversight and advisory capacity with student unions, clubs, and societies. Proven experience in the creation and implementation of departmental standards, processes, and procedures. Previous experience in community management and crisis response, with a focus on supporting student safety and wellbeing. Proven experience in budget management, including financial planning. Previous experience in human resources management, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and employee development, preferably in a unionized context. Experience in stakeholder relationship management, including maintaining positive relationships with students, staff, and external partners. Experience in data analysis and reporting, including preparing reports that evaluate program effectiveness. Experience in management of confidential information.

SKILLS

Strong strategic planning and operational management skills, with the ability to set priorities and achieve short- and long-term goals. Proven leadership and team management skills, capable of motivating and developing a team of diverse professionals and students. Proven planning skills and the ability to conceptualize and propose new initiatives to meet specific outcomes. Proven skills in crisis management. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely to various audiences. Proven ability to make, communicate, and enforce disciplinary decisions with confidence and authority. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, negotiate effectively, and resolve conflicts professionally. Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and achieving organizational goals. Knowledge of and ability to act immediately according to crisis management and emergency response procedures.
+ Proficiency in equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and strategies.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.


The University of St. Michael's College is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, people who take a religiously informed view of human experience, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.


If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 416.926.7101 or

hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca

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Department Office of Residences and Student Operations