Director of Residential Life

About Us

The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 9th Grade in West Newton MA. The Fessenden Schools mission is to cultivate each boys talents and develop in balance his character mind and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For more than 100 years The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities curriculum and programs specifically designed to meet the educational needs of boys.

Position: Director of Residential Life

Status: Full Time Benefits Eligible Exempt

Department: Residential Life

Reports to: Head of School

Schedule: Twelve-month position with 6 weeks vacation

Position Summary:

The Director of Residential Life is responsible for managing the programming and well-being of the Schools 100 residential students its boarding faculty and their families. The Director works with fellow administrators and colleagues to support all constituencies within Fessendens grade six through nine boarding program. Living on campus and embracing the lifestyle of a junior boarding program as part of a residential and day school serving 540 Pre-Kindergarten through ninth grade boys are essential elements of this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

Residential Program Management - Build and maintain a fun positive and healthy residential community for students faculty and families. Establish and implement a curriculum for boarding students that provides meaningful weeknight schedules and activities weekend on- and off-campus experiences and opportunities for students to develop citizenship and character.

Administrative Leadership - Serve as a member of the Senior Team Administrative Council and PK-9 leadership team. Work with the Head of School Assistant Head of School Dean of Residential Students and Chief Operations Officer to assign residential faculty housing. Maintain the Residential Handbook train residential faculty and provide ongoing support and guidance for continued professional development. Connect with outside organizations and peer schools to keep current with best programming and practices for junior boarding schools. Work closely with the Business Office and Human Resources to manage residential faculty including onboarding.

Residential Life Culture - Along with the Dean of Residential Students ensure that the residential program recognizes and celebrates the cultures of the programs students and the Schools core values of honesty compassion and respect. Design and lead a program that provides a comfortable home away from home for students. Implement programming that connects day and boarding students.

Residential Program Operations - Oversee travel and vacation planning for boarding students in conjunction with the Dean of Residential Students. Collaborate with Flik leadership to provide healthy diverse and appealing meals for our residential community. Work closely with the Director of Campus Facilities to ensure that the physical plant supports the needs of students and residential faculty. Oversee use of residential software: Orah Vidigami and DAKboard digital signage.

Student Support and Guidance - Collaborate closely with the Dean of Residential Students to support all boarding students. Work with the Student Support Teams and communicate directly with the Head of the Upper School and the Head of the Middle School regarding any student concerns. Serve as a primary resource for parents of residential students. Manage student off-campus travel for weekends and vacations.

Faculty Management - Organize and communicate responsibilities for residential faculty. Provide direct mentorship to Administrators on Duty in their roles as residential supervisors. Serve as a resource for adult members of the residential community. Coordinate logistics for residential faculty including but not limited to occupancy agreements parking census taking boundaries training and Buildings & Grounds work tickets.

Additional Responsibilities - Serve as an advisor to Upper School students. Coach one season if possible. Attend faculty and staff meetings. Oversee the residential use of the Alta Avigilon access card system. Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Preferred Qualities and Qualifications:

• Five years or more of residential life experience
• Background of school administrative leadership
• Warmth enthusiasm and a passion for education
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and multicultural education
• Open collaborative and supportive work style
• Integrity strong work ethic and demonstrated leadership ability
• Discretion and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters discreetly
• Bachelors degree required Masters degree preferred
• Commitment to boys and boys education
• Successful criminal background and DMV checks

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $120000 - $135000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Note: nothing in this job description restricts The Fessenden Schools right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. This position is at will which means that it can be terminated by the employee holding the position or by the School at any time with or without notice or cause.

The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race color religion gender national origin age disability genetic information sexual orientation ancestry veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal state or local anti-discrimination laws. The Schools equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment hiring selection compensation benefits transfer conditions and privileges of employment.

The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.

The Fessenden School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to Steve Armstrong Head of School at (no phone calls please) by January 30 2026.