Residential Life Manager

APEX International Education Partners

Location: Derby, Connecticut USA

About APEX International Education Partners Established in 2011, APEX International Education Partners helps U.S. secondary schools recruit and support international students, promoting diversity and cultural awareness. We provide international students with the support needed to thrive academically, socially, and culturally while studying in the U.S.

Our portfolio includes private day schools across the U.S., a dormitory in Connecticut, and host families who ensure the well-being and success of students. We are committed to guiding students through both their academic and social experiences, ensuring a seamless integration into American culture.

Position Overview APEX is seeking an experienced, hands-on Residential Life Manager to oversee daily operations within our dormitory in Derby, CT, housing a vibrant community of 70+ international middle- and high-school students attending 10+ off-campus private schools throughout Connecticut. This role focuses heavily on creating engaging experiences for students, leading dormitory events, and ensuring their overall well-being, while managing day-to-day operational tasks.

This position reports directly to the Director of Residential Life & Dormitory Operations and provides significant development and promotional opportunities for those who excel in their role, including but not limited to managing operations and other dormitory locations.

Key Responsibilities As the Residential Life Manager, you will be responsible for creating a nurturing, engaging, and well-structured environment that supports students' emotional, social, and academic needs. Your role will be both strategic and hands-on, with direct involvement in student interaction, event planning, and staff management.

Student Engagement & Event Management

Create and manage a hands-on Event Calendar: Plan, organize, and actively participate in weekly events that engage students socially, culturally, and recreationally. From cultural nights to educational outings, to participating in a basketball or tennis game, ensure that events are interactive, relevant, and fun.
Lead student activities: Take charge of organizing and directly overseeing activities such as athletics, movie nights, talent shows, holiday celebrations, and team-building exercises. Lead these activities to encourage student participation and community building.
Coordinate dormitory clubs: Actively create, oversee and engage with student-led programs, such as the Student Council, Ambassador Program, and Yearbook. Act as an advisor, helping students take ownership of these new clubs and initiatives.
Provide hands-on support: Regularly interact with students to ensure they feel connected and supported in their transition to life in the U.S. Offer personal guidance and conflict resolution when needed, helping students adjust to their new environment.
Host student orientation and check-ins: Take an active role in the arrival process, including student orientations, check-in activities, and creating a welcoming environment for new students.
Organize, Plan, Manage & Lead Summer Camps: work closely with Short-Term Program Coordinator to welcome 100+ middle and upper international students attending summer enrichment camps at nearby private schools from late-June through early-August, and residing in Derby, CT dormitory. Provide after-school and weekend activities for summer campers, and work with transportation team to provide daily transportation to/from school and extracurricular activities.

Dormitory Operations & Supervision

Manage Dormitory Residential Life Coordinators (RLCs) and Resident Assistants (RAs): Supervise and support RLCs and RAs in their daily tasks. Lead by example, taking on hands-on responsibilities, including conducting student check-ins, attending to student concerns, and ensuring timely and effective resolution of academic and behavioral issues.
Coordinate emergency and non-emergency student support: Respond to student needs both in urgent situations and daily challenges. Act as a first point of contact for students in distress, stepping in to mediate disputes, provide emotional support, and ensure safety.
Conduct regular walk-throughs: Personally walk through the dormitory multiple times a day to ensure that everything is running smoothly, from room conditions to safety measures. Address minor maintenance issues and make immediate changes as needed.
Oversee student conduct: Directly handle student infractions when they occur. Facilitate and mediate conversations between students and staff, ensuring that disciplinary measures are consistent and fair. Lead by example, ensuring that the dormitory is a positive, respectful environment.

Facilities & Campus Community

Ensure dormitory cleanliness and upkeep: Work closely with the facilities team, providing hands-on involvement in preparing rooms for new students, conducting inspections for damage, and ensuring common areas are properly maintained.
Help manage safety protocols: Actively participate in safety drills and oversee security measures (e.g., key fob systems, cameras, alarms). Work directly with staff to ensure students' safety needs are met.
Support staff in logistics: Take part in overseeing the day-to-day operations of room assignments, meal times, and transportation to ensure everything runs smoothly. Jump in to help as necessary to ensure all operational aspects are well-coordinated.

Transportation & Logistics

Oversee and ensure student transportation: Work hands-on with the transportation team to schedule and ensure students' safe travel to/from school, activities, and appointments. Occasionally step in to accompany students during transportation to ensure safety and engagement.
Monitor transportation logistics: Handle the coordination of daily vehicle and driver schedules to/from 10 private schools across Connecticut, including responding to last-minute transportation changes. Actively review and ensure vehicles are maintained, clean, and ready for student use.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree in student affairs, counseling, education administration, or a related field is preferred.
Residential Life and Supervisory Experience: At least 5 years of experience in secondary and/or international education, including a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory role. Experience with international students, especially Chinese students, as well as experience in residential life or boarding schools, is highly preferred.
Skills: Strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple teams, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Sense of urgency. Proficiency in English is required.
Attributes: Ability to connect with students, lead events, and directly manage student behavior in a compassionate and constructive way. Must be hands-on, proactive, and able to step in at any moment to ensure smooth operations.

Other Requirements

Customer Service: Demonstrated ability to navigate the expectations of a demanding client base (including parents and agencies abroad in China), while aligning student support with the retention and growth objectives of a mission-driven, for-profit organization.
Flexibility: Demonstrated flexibility and availability to support students and staff outside of regular school hours, including scheduled evening office hours, occasional weekends, and some holidays. Students attend school off-campus during the day and the majority of student engagement occurs in the evenings and on weekends, either within the dormitory or off-site. This role requires a consistent presence during out-of-school hours, leading and participating, with other staff members, in student events/activities, and a responsiveness to student needs or emergencies. This position will oversee and manage other residential staff members, including staff who live in the dormitory and are scheduled during evening, weekend, and overnight hours to provide additional support.
Desire to work directly with students and be engaged: Ability and desire to engage with students in a way that fosters trust, growth, and community.
Problem-Solver: Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to address a variety of situations in a calm, effective way.

Job Type:

Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt, On-Site, year-round position. The position requires the individual to be available after-school time-frame, occasional weekends, and some holidays for office hours, student events and activities, address student or staff issues/concerns, periodically participate in RA on-duty/on-call rotation/coverage, and be available for unpredictable or emergency situations, etc. The ideal candidate will live locally or within a short commute to the Derby, CT office/dormitory. No Live-In Option Available.

Typical Office Hours: 4 Weekdays, 11am- 7:30pm, 1 Weekday 7am-3:30pm & occasional Saturdays or Sundays. *This position requires flexibility and additional availability on a regular basis.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary based on experience.
Discretionary Bonus (up to 10% of base salary, based on performance metrics including student retention and satisfaction)
Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid time off
401(k) with employer match after one year
Free meals during onsite working hours - American breakfast, Chinese lunch & dinner.

Development & Promotional Opportunities This position offers significant development and promotional opportunities for those who demonstrate excellence in their role. As a Residential Life Manager, there is potential for advancement into higher leadership positions within Residential Life & Dormitory Operations, based on performance, initiative, and leadership ability.

How to Apply To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and qualifications relevant to this position at: https://aiepusa.isolvedhire.com/jobs/

APEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.