Director, VIU Housing

Duties:

• Develops and leads the vision and operational plan for Student Housing, creating a high-quality living-learning environment aligned with the university's academic priorities.
• Oversees strategic planning and direction of a self-supporting housing system, ensuring quality, efficiency, and alignment with Ancillary Services goals.
• Leads housing education and programming development, ensuring initiatives are responsive to student needs and integrated with academic goals.
• Manages financial planning and sustainability, including developing annual budgets, rate proposals, long-term financial modelling, and revenue generation.
• Directs occupancy management operations, including forecasting, application processing, and assignment cycles to inform decision-making.
• Leads long-term capital planning, including building renewal strategies and facility upgrades to support housing expansion and modernization.
• Provides leadership in staff management, including organizational structure, recruitment, training, performance development, and succession planning.
• Collaborates across departments to enhance student experience and wellbeing, including work with the VP Students team, Health and Wellness Centre, and Conference Services.
• Ensures effective policy and service delivery systems, reviewing and improving operational processes and aligning them with institutional standards.
• Manages student support systems, including housing-related mental health programming, judicial processes, and participation on university care and threat assessment teams.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate degree (i.e., MSW, MBA, Student Development, Post Secondary Leadership). Minimum six to ten years of recent related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• This position requires visionary leadership, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to service excellence.
• Strategic Planning and Leadership. Proven ability to lead student housing operations in alignment with institutional goals.
• Student-Centred Program Development. Experience designing housing programs grounded in student development theory, with clear outcomes and assessment tools.
• Team Development and Management. Strong leadership in building, guiding, and supporting high-performing teams.
• Financial Management. Demonstrated skills in budgeting, financial reporting, and ensuring operational sustainability.
• Facilities and Operations Management. Experience overseeing housing facilities, maintenance, and long-term planning.
• Communication and Presentation Skills. High-level oral and written communication skills; ability to engage with diverse stakeholders including senior leadership and students.
• Conflict Resolution and Judgement. Skilled in conflict management, diplomacy, and applying sound judgement in complex situations.
• Project and Organizational Management. Strong organizational and project management skills, including problem-solving and reporting.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Demonstrated experience working effectively with culturally diverse groups and applying inclusive practices.
• Technological Proficiency. Proficiency in general office software and digital collaboration tools for efficient administration.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Additional language skills
• Experience with off-campus housing, including connections with various community stakeholders.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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