Resident Director

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

At Bethel, being a Resident Director (RD) means you aren't just managing a building—you’re building a home. We’re looking for someone who wants to do life alongside our students, serving as a mentor, leader, and a steady presence in our Christ-centered community.

The Resident Director plays a vital leadership role in shaping a vibrant, student‑centered residential experience at Bethel University. This full‑time, 12‑month, live‑on campus position provides holistic leadership for a residence hall community, fostering a living‑learning environment where students thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

• Cultivate a welcoming and engaging residence hall community through intentional programming, relationship‑building, and regular visibility.
• Support students’ holistic development by fostering connections that encourage growth, belonging, and accountability.

• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise a team of Resident Assistants (RAs).
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and leadership development for student staff.

• Support student well‑being through advising, care coordination, and administrative follow‑up.
• Participate in a professional on‑call rotation, including emergency response and crisis management.

• Oversee residence hall operations, including housing logistics, facilities coordination, and budget management.
• Maintain accurate housing records and ensure organized, compliant administrative processes.

• Meet regularly with the Director of Residence and Community Life and collaborate with the Residence Life and Student Engagement teams.
• Participate in committees, professional development opportunities, and other responsibilities as assigned.

• Required: Bachelor’s degree
• Preferred: Master’s degree

• Required: Prior experience in residence life or a closely related student development role
• Preferred: 1+ year of professional residence life experience

• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and administrative abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to manage confidential information.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites.
• Capacity to mentor students spiritually, professionally, personally, and emotionally.
• Must be able to respond effectively in high-stress or emergency situations.
• Ability to live on-campus in a residence hall apartment 12-months per year.

Bethel’s mission is to educate and equip students to lead lives of impact through transformative academics in a Christ-centered community. Bethel’s employee community plays a central role in developing our students as whole and holy persons. To carry out this mission, Bethel uses the foundation of our guiding documents, the Affirmation of Faith, Community Covenant, and Key Policies. Bethel expects all employees to actively participate in creating our Christ-centered community by agreeing with and abiding by our core beliefs in the Affirmation of Faith and supporting all other beliefs as Biblical, responsible, and thoughtful approaches while avoiding dissension and divisiveness. Employees teach and mentor students and help one another uphold our Community Covenant commitments.  As a result of these expectations, all University employees act as ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to carry out its mission and foster Bethel’s Christ-centered covenant community.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. 

• This is a live‑on position, requiring residency in a campus residence hall. Housing is provided as a benefit.
• Evening and weekend work is required as job responsibilities demand.
• Work schedules fluctuate and are responsive to the rhythms of residential life.
• This is a full‑time, 12‑month position, averaging 40+ hours per week over the course of the year.

The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university in which all employees are expected to have a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of the University, and an agreement to abide by all University policies.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The job requires traversing the Bethel Campus on a regular basis. Must be able to respond effectively in high-stress or emergency situations.

This position does not have typical week day hours. There is an expectation to work schedules and hours as identified and and communicated by management. Evening and weekend is required, as job duties demand. This is a 40+ hour per week, 12 months per year position.