Residential Life Manager

About the Role

Massey University is seeking a motivated and experienced Residential Life Manager to lead the Residential Life team at its Manawatū campus in Palmerston North. This permanent full-time position involves significant operational leadership within a busy residential community. The ideal candidate will be a passionate and energetic leader who fosters teamwork, accountability, and a positive environment where both staff and students flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large Residential Life team, promoting a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Provide clear expectations, coaching, direction, and accountability to team members.
• Oversee the delivery of a Residential Life program that enhances community building, belonging, well-being, engagement, and personal growth for residents.
• Create a supportive, welcoming, and safe residential environment for students.
• Maintain a visible presence and build positive relationships with residents and staff within the Halls community.
• Manage responses to complex resident incidents, behavioral issues, well-being concerns, and critical events.
• Collaborate closely with Resident Services, Facilities, Security, and other university teams to ensure a cohesive resident experience.
• Identify and implement service, system, and process improvements.
• Ensure adherence to university policies and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of Massey Halls and Accommodation Services.
• Participate in an on-call roster approximately one week every three weeks, providing leadership and support for significant incidents outside regular hours.

Requirements

• Proven experience in leading and developing large teams.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to establish a positive, accountable team culture.
• Passion for community building, people development, and creating excellent experiences.
• Energetic, proactive, and accountable approach to work.
• Comfortable managing challenges in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to balance empathy and support with clear expectations and accountability.
• Sound judgment in managing complex or sensitive situations confidently.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships across teams and organizational levels.
• Experience in residential life, student services, pastoral care, community development, education, or hospitality sectors is preferred.
• Understanding of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 is desirable.
• Required to live on-site in a provided three-bedroom home or within approximately 15 minutes commuting distance to campus.
• Pre-employment clearance including Children's Worker Safety Check, criminal history check, and credit check.

Additional Information

The role requires participation in a 24/7 residential operation on-call system to manage any incidents or emergencies that arise outside normal office hours. The Residential Life Manager must be calm under pressure and able to make informed decisions swiftly. Proximity or on-site living is a necessity due to the nature of the job.
Accommodation arrangements and allowances will be discussed during recruitment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Up to 6.75% employer contribution to the UniSaver Superannuation Scheme for eligible employees.
• Five university holidays annually in addition to regular annual leave.
• Subsidized Southern Cross Healthcare plan for employees and their families.
• Special staff rates for campus gym memberships.
• Employee purchasing privileges and discounts with various New Zealand businesses.
• Access to on-campus childcare facilities.
• Extensive professional development and training opportunities.
• Staff fee concessions for study at Massey University and discounts for eligible immediate family members.

Who Should Apply

We invite seasoned people leaders with a passion for community, strong problem-solving skills, the ability to lead in dynamic environments, and the commitment to create an inclusive and supportive residential experience for students. This role suits someone ready to engage directly with challenges and lead a dedicated team to success.