Residential Life Manager

Permanent full-time position Are you a strong people leader who thrives on challenge, builds great teams, and knows how to create a positive community? Massey Halls is looking for an experienced and motivated Residential Life Manager to lead our Residential Life team at the Manawatū campus. This is a significant operational leadership role within a large and busy residential community. We are looking for someone with the drive, energy and passion to lead from the front - someone who can bring people together, establish a positive and accountable team culture, and create an environment where both staff and students can thrive. Residential Life is at the heart of the student accommodation experience. Our team supports students through the challenges and opportunities of living away from home, creates opportunities for connection and belonging, manages behaviour and wellbeing concerns, and responds when things don't go to plan. This isn't a role where every day looks the same. You might be supporting your team through a complex resident situation, responding to an incident, reviewing how we deliver our Residential Life programme, working with university support services, coaching a staff member, or helping your team prepare for one of the busiest periods of the accommodation year. If you enjoy leading people, solving problems, improving how things are done and seeing the difference a great team can make, this can be an incredibly rewarding role. What you’ll be responsible for As Residential Life Manager, you will: Lead, develop and inspire a large Residential Life team, creating a positive, collaborative and high‑performing culture. Set clear expectations and provide strong leadership, coaching, direction and accountability for your team. Lead the delivery of a Residential Life programme that builds community, belonging, wellbeing, engagement and personal development for residents. Create a residential environment where students feel welcomed, connected, supported and safe. Build a strong and visible presence within the Halls community and develop positive relationships with residents and staff. Lead the response to complex resident matters, behavioural concerns, wellbeing situations and critical incidents. Work closely with Resident Services, Facilities Services, Security and wider university teams to provide a coordinated experience for residents. Identify opportunities to improve services, systems and ways of working and have the drive to turn ideas into action. Ensure Residential Life practices meet relevant university requirements and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. Contribute to the wider direction and continuous improvement of Massey Halls and Accommodation Services. The reality of Residential Life Massey Halls is a 24/7 residential operation, and our students live with us seven days a week. While this is a management position with normal working hours, residential life does not always fit neatly within those hours. The Residential Life Manager participates in an on‑call roster and must be available to provide leadership, decision‑making and staff support when significant incidents or emergencies occur. We are therefore looking for someone who is calm under pressure, confident making decisions and comfortable leading through unexpected situations. Key Requirements To be successful in this role, you will need to meet the following requirements: On‑call requirement: As Massey Halls operates 24/7, you will participate in an on‑call roster, approximately one week in every three, providing leadership, decision‑making and support to staff in response to significant incidents and emergencies outside normal working hours. Accommodation and proximity requirement: Due to the Residential Life Manager's role in responding to incidents and emergencies, you will be required to either live on‑site in a provided three‑bedroom home or reside within approximately a 15‑minute commute of Massey University’s Manawatū campus. Accommodation arrangements and any associated allowances will be discussed as part of the recruitment process. Pre‑employment checks: Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory completion of relevant pre‑employment checks, including Children’s Worker Safety Checking requirements, a criminal history check and a credit check. Who we’re looking for We are particularly interested in someone who: Has proven experience leading and developing a sizeable team. Has the confidence and leadership presence to establish a strong, positive and accountable team culture. Is passionate about people, community and creating great experiences. Is energetic, proactive and willing to take ownership. Enjoys a challenge and is comfortable working in a fast‑paced and sometimes unpredictable environment. Can balance empathy and support with clear expectations and accountability. Has strong judgement and can confidently manage complex or sensitive situations. Communicates clearly and builds effective relationships across different teams and levels of an organisation. Can think beyond day‑to‑day operations and identify opportunities to continually improve the service. Has experience in residential life, student services, pastoral care, community development, education, hospitality or another relevant people‑focused environment. Previous university accommodation experience would be valuable, but we are equally interested in strong leaders from other sectors who can demonstrate experience leading teams and creating positive communities and cultures. A sound understanding of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 is desirable. What success looks like Success in this role is about more than keeping the operation running. It is about building and leading a Residential Life team that is engaged, capable and accountable, creating Halls where students feel welcomed, supported and connected, and providing the leadership needed to navigate challenges, support staff and continually improve the Residential Life experience. Residential Life can be challenging - and that is also what makes it rewarding. You will have the opportunity to lead a significant team, shape the residential experience for a large student community and make a genuine difference during an important stage of students’ lives. Massey also offers: Up to 6.75% employer contribution to the UniSaver Superannuation Scheme for eligible employees. Five university holidays each year in addition to annual leave. A subsidised Southern Cross Healthcare plan for you and your family. Special staff rates for campus gym membership. Staff purchasing privileges and discounts with a range of businesses across New Zealand. Access to on‑campus childcare facilities. Comprehensive professional development and training opportunities. Staff fee concessions for study with Massey and eligible discounts for immediate family members undertaking undergraduate study. Ready for the challenge? If you’re an experienced people leader who has the energy to lead a large team, the passion to build a great community and the confidence to step up when things get challenging, we’d like to hear from you. This is an opportunity to do much more than manage a service - it’s an opportunity to lead a team and shape a residential community. Applications close Tuesday 01 September 2026, 12.30pm. Desired Skills and Experience We’re seeking a seasoned people leader who thrives in a busy, ever‑changing environment. You’ll have experience managing large teams, balancing multiple priorities, making sound decisions under pressure, and building a culture of accountability and support. This role suits someone who is highly adaptable, resilient, solutions‑focused and willing to roll up their sleeves when required. It is not a role for someone seeking a quiet operational position. We’re looking for a hands‑on leader who enjoys challenge, can pivot quickly when circumstances change, and is committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for both staff and students. #J-18808-Ljbffr