Program Manager of The Forest, Residence Life and Housing

External Applicants: 

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.

• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

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A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

The Program Manager of The Forest is a key member of the Residence Life and Housing team responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive living environment within the residential communities. The Program Manager works closely with other professionals in the department in the administration and management of a comprehensive residence life and housing program serving over 4,000 students. The Forest program is foundational to the residential experience with a broad-reaching arm through the residential experience of all Wake Forest students. The Program Manager provides key support for residential academic initiatives that foster a vibrant and supportive learning and living environment for all residential students. In collaboration with residential life staff, Faculty Fellows, and campus partners, the Program Manager helps advance The Forest’s goals for all residential student development and engagement.

Job Description

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the primary support in the day-to-day management of The Forest initiative.

• Collaboratively work to create an inclusive and supportive community within The Forest by developing and implementing community house-based initiatives and programming.

• Together with Faculty Fellows and other academic leadership, support faculty in promoting academic and intellectual engagement in The Forest.

• Actively oversee, track, and reconcile The Forest budget, including but not limited to programming and meals, and maintaining documentation.

• Assist community house teams with budget and resource allocation for The Forest and other academic programmatic initiatives. 

• Provide training and purchasing card support to Faculty Fellows, Community Directors, and graduate student staff.

• Regularly collaborate with community house leadership, Residence Life and Housing staff, faculty and staff affiliates, and students residing within The Forest.

• Recruit, train, and supervise a team of Graduate Assistants who support house team initiatives within The Forest. Provide ongoing support, professional development, and mentorship to the staff members. Facilitate regular staff meetings, team-building activities, and training sessions to ensure cohesive and effective teamwork.

• Collaborate with the Residence Life and Housing Assistant Director of Operations and Campus Life Marketing and Communications to support marketing efforts that promote The Forest’s identity, programs, and initiatives across residential communities.

• Maintain strong communication channels with residents, staff, and faculty stakeholders. Communicate effectively through various channels, such as email, newsletters, and social media platforms.

• Fulfill central office duty on a rotating basis as assigned during the academic year and weekly duty during the summer months.

Other Functions:

• In conjunction with the Director of Residence Life and Program Director of The Forest;

  • Collaborate with campus partners to deliver cross-functional programs and initiatives that align with the broader goals of the institution.

  • Utilize data to inform program development, evaluate impact, and guide continuous improvement of The Forest. 

• Together with the Assistant Director for Residence Life and Academic Engagement Initiatives, develop and support the community engagement model in alignment of The Forest's outcomes.

• Reconcile monthly meal plan usage for faculty and staff, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of allocations and expenditures.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.

• Experience working in a residential life or student affairs setting.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills

• Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in community development.

• Ability to create and implement engaging programming initiatives.

• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within a community context.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends as needed.

• Ability to interpret policy and procedures established within Residence Life and Housing. 

• Ability to communicate with a variety of constituents, both verbally and in writing. 

• Ability to organize workflow and coordinate projects within the office and with other departments. 

• Ability to problem solve, critically think and analyze complex issues while effectively planning and organizing work. 

• Ability to articulate the role that residence halls play in supporting retention at the University.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Master’s Degree with a concentration in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration, Facilities Management, or related field. 

• A minimum of 1-3 years of full-time experience working in Housing and Residential Programs (Residence Life), Student Activities, or other position working closely with students in a university setting.

• Demonstrated ability in program development, management, and assessment knowledge and skills. 

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of concepts of college student development. 

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff members.

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Experience in planning and implementing meaningful learning experiences with faculty and students. 

• Ability to work well under pressure with multiple and changing deadlines.

Accountabilities: 

• Paraprofessional staff.

Physical Requirements:

• Light walking.

• Occasional lifting or carrying equipment up to 50lbs. 

• Bending, stooping, reaching and climbing.

Environmental Conditions: 

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Additional Job Description

Residence Life and Housing provides optional housing to staff who serve in a Residence Life and Housing on-call response capacity. Eligible staff who elect the option to live in apartments and/or houses provided by Residence Life and Housing agree to additional responsibilities that increase connection with the student residential experience, responsiveness to campus-related emergencies, and other campus programs and services. Additional responsibilities associated with that function include:

• Respond on-site as directed for crisis response, including but not limited to weather-related, student, and facility emergencies.

• Provide program support as directed.

• Perform regular on-campus facility walk-throughs, reporting issues to Facilities & Campus Services for follow-up.

• Support weekend and evening departmental processes (e.g., move-in, closing) as directed.

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.  

 

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.