Job Details

Director of University & Community Housing Services (UCHS)

Position Number: 7252739
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Residence Life and Housing

Director of University & Community Housing Services (UCHS)

University of California Santa Barbara

Job Posting Details

Position Number: 40035728

Payroll Title: ADMIN MGR 1 (000547)

Job Code: 000547

Job Open Date: 6/17/26

Application Review Begins: 7/13/26

Department Code (Name): DSRS (DEAN STUDENT RESIDENTS)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 25

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $140,000 to $165,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University.

Work Location: Student Resident Life Trailer - 1000

Working Days and Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

The University of California, Santa Barbara has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin on July 13th, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

For consideration please also submit a resume and cover letter for this position to Spelman Johnson via:

https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/director-of-university-community-housing-services/

Contact Julie Leos at JAL@spelmanandjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at:

413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Department Marketing Statement:

Residential & Community Living promotes a self-regulated environment for the residents of University residence halls and apartments. Their services foster the residents' ability to live together respectfully and responsibly in a learning community and promote the academic success of all residents. The residential education program provides a quality living experience as well as opportunities to interact with other residents, faculty and staff.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Director of University Community Housing Services is responsible for providing access to housing facilities that generate over $100 million in revenues through planning, analysis, policy formation and management of Housing's residence halls and apartment contract and placement services for over 10,500 residents including students, staff and faculty, annually in 17 buildings and complexes. The incumbent is responsible for strategically planning to accommodate additional residents, as well as analyzing and forecasting occupancy rates for additional master-leased complexes. The campus is adding 3500 new beds to the student housing system to comply with the full term of the 2011 long-range development plan (LRDP). Currently, the campus has limited housing and may master-lease an apartment building to meet housing needs until more facilities are built. The Director serves to analyze, strategize and project options to accommodate housing needs of students. Knowledge of the campus' LRDP, admissions and enrollment trends, benchmarking and market projections is critical, as is the ability to accommodate unexpected market shifts. Additionally, the Director provides leadership and planning to support the housing needs of campus staff and faculty. The Director works closely with the Office of the General Counsel and outside legal counsel to assure compliance with university policy, state and federal laws. The Director oversees new contract language, HUD issues, and protocol with legal issues related to landlord/tenant law. The Director assesses new general legislative impacts as well as specific legal precedents related to ADA and oversees campus initiatives with Foster Youth, Veterans, Visiting Scholars and other high profile groups. The Director may act in behalf of the Executive Director of Residential & Community Living and Associate Vice Chancellor of HDAE in collaboration with the Executive Vice Chancellor's Office, Graduate Division, Admissions, Financial Aid, Intercollegiate Athletics, the Education Abroad Program, Disabled Students Program, International Students & Scholars and other campus entities to support campus recruitment efforts. In support of the Residential & Community Living unit, the Director serves as a senior team member, and shares overall management of the area annually consisting of 10,500 students, faculty and family residents, a 8.2 million budget and 235 FTE. Additionally, the Director of University Community Housing Services oversees the placement of all UCSB students into either university owned housing or accommodations in the community through the Community Housing Office. Works closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor of HDAE, the Executive Director of RCL, and HDAE Senior Management Team on all issues related to placement for UCSB students.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent experience
5 years professional experience managing staff
Excellent ability to establish metrics for the department and employees goals
Broad knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures.
Ability to design and oversee implementation of student and staff services and programs in an efficient and cost effective manner leading to continuous improvement of services.
Broad knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; and/or accounting and payroll
Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Demonstrated experience in forming successful partnerships with multiple constituencies in developing programs and services.
Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively lead, motivate and influence others and to develop and maintain high standards of customer service. Strong leadership, conflict resolution and supervisory skills, with the ability to support development of career staff as well as student staff and student leaders.
Thorough knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer applications programs. Intermediate to advance demonstrated computer knowledge and general knowledge of campus computer on-line processes to administer and manage systems including but not limited to financial spreadsheets, web-based presentations, database management and word processing systems.
Very strong ability to quickly and accurately evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution. Ability to be creative, (take ideas, concepts, solutions normally not directly associated with the problem at hand), and change and adapt them to provide innovative solutions to operational and management problems.
Interpersonal and cultural competence skills to effectively communicate with and support a wide variety of people of diverse backgrounds, including understanding and respect for cultural , ethnic and individual differences.
Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills to prioritize assignments, set goals and project department needs while meeting deadlines. Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously. Skills to document planning elements in accessible formats.
Knowledge of social science research principles and practices, including research design, sampling, survey construction, and data analysis for descriptive and analytical reporting. Knowledge of research software, excel and survey software. Understanding of online survey administration practices.
Experience assessing potential life/safety, financial, property and legal liability; expertise in training staff or in using available resources to minimize institutional risk.
Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times. Strong-decision making skills exercising sound judgment and discretion handling sensitive information and or confidentiality with tact and helpfulness.
Demonstrated experience to manage a large complex organization at a higher education institution, working with highly diverse staff and student body.
Must be able to pass a background check

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree

Special Conditions of Employment:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act
Satisfactory criminal history background check
UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

50% Unit Management -

Maintains integrity of the organizational department through management and oversight of staff. The Director is a designated supervisor responsible for supervising, directly and indirectly, career and student employees.

Supervises 3 Student Life & Development analysts, 1 Staff and Faculty Housing Specialist, and indirectly supervises 4 Analysts and 7 additional FTE.

Provides leadership and develops initiatives and programs that further enhance the general housing experience for residents as a part of the HDAE Director's group.

Provides leadership for strategic initiatives encompassed in the Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises Strategic Plan, affirming and implementing goals and objectives related to vision statements.

Oversees UCHS annual budget of $2.3 million

Develops training for unit and departmental staff on issues related to placement.

Reviews status of job tasks and responsibilities with the RCL Executive Director on a regular basis.

Participates on departmental and University committees, and in regional, state and national organizations related to student affairs, residential learning, and property management.

Affirms and implements the departmental Educational Equity Plan consisting of short and long term objectives that reflect a systematic approach to preparing both students and staff for success in a multicultural society.

Affirms and implements the Standards for Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises which outlines the programmatic and developmental goals for the UCSB housing program.

Performs special duties and management assignments as designated by the Executive Director of Residential & Community Living.

20% Forecast & Analysis -

Oversees analysis of student housing trends and provides the department with forecasts for long range campus planning.

Analyzes statistical studies to identify trends and projections that are critical to the housing business cycle and pre-planning.

Provides leadership in a multi-year strategic planning for placing students in current facilities while planning for 100% occupancy in new facilities as they open. Support the overall University mission of housing the greatest number of students possible. Oversees analysis of occupancy rates by type of accommodation and applications, and determines changes in allocations to meet market shifts and assure open access.

Works with the Chief Financial Officer to determine income projections based on occupancy targets.

Analyzes program changes and their impact on occupancy and revenues. - Oversees surveying of residents to better understand housing trends and preferences.

15% Occupancy Policies -

Oversees on-campus housing contracts for all residential spaces in a variety of housing types and resident categories (Including student, staff, & faculty).

Ensure new contracts are developed as new facilities are added to existing housing stock.

Oversees requests for exceptions to the standard contract terms and payment requirements including lease terms, move-in payment requirements, notice requirements, vacancy procedures, and assignment charges.

Determines policies for occupancy, and outlines criteria for exceptions for residence halls and apartments.

Aligns residence hall and apartment policies, assuring contract consistency and legal compliance.

Determines rationale and approves any contract discrepancies.

Oversees occupancy issues, creating an agile system to respond to the need for triples (over capacity spaces), or the need to de-triple to ensure full occupancy.

Determines policies for occupancy, and outlines criteria for staff and faculty housing.

Creates plans to secure temporary facilities and respond to unexpected issues, such as contagious disease outbreak, sudden call of duty for military service, international issues impacting student's ability to return to campus, construction delays, natural disasters, etc.

Ensures all plans to secure temporary housing complies with landlord tenant laws and limits the university's liability.

Promotes understanding and appreciation of the housing policy goals for a diverse and highly selective university.

Assesses criteria for eligibility and occupancy limits, with sensitivity to campus special programs.

Determines consistent, defendable policies on room/apartment utilization.

15% Placement Management -

Responsible for all placement services, technical processes and the Community Housing Office.

Oversees the collaborative process of establishing contracts, providing application information, allocating processes, and assignments for ~ 10,500 in 16 buildings/complexes.

Make agreements to accommodate special and high profile students.

Directs a technical evolution of a robust contract/assignment system.

Oversees the selection of new software products for assignment data management.

Aligns discrepant residence halls and apartment practices for allocating and assigning contracts and spaces.

Oversees research and testing of new on-line allocation processes. -Oversees the development of application and contracting process for staff and faculty housing.

Oversees the management of the Community Housing Office, providing placement and general rental education for more than 15,000 students living in the community. Placement and housing education is also provided for staff and faculty.

Liaison with UC General Counsel and outside legal counsel responding to all issues and pertinent laws surrounding evictions.

Liaison with HUD, and assure compliance with federal guidelines.

Oversees outreach plan, collaborating with the Executive Vice Chancellor's Office, Admissions, Graduate division, CCS, Honors/Nat'l merit program, etc.

Oversees changes in special living learning communities, based on application data and demand.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Privacy Notification Statement

Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures

Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.

To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucsb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=86946&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=31&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant