We're Hiring!

Position Function:

The Director of Occupancy Management provides strategic leadership for housing assignments, occupancy management, residential marketing, communications, and housing select technology systems within Mississippi State University's Department of Housing and Residence Life. The position is responsible for developing and implementing innovative strategies that support occupancy goals, optimize housing resources, enhance the residential student experience, and advance departmental and university enrollment objectives.
As a member of the Housing and Residence Life leadership team, the Director collaborates extensively with Enrollment Management, Admissions, Orientation and Events, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Information Technology Services, and other university stakeholders to align housing operations with Mississippi State University's strategic priorities. Through data-informed decision-making, assessment, technology optimization, and collaborative partnerships, the Director leads efforts related to housing demand management, occupancy forecasting, assignment operations, marketing, communications, and student engagement.
The Director serves as the department's primary leader for housing assignments and occupancy strategy and is responsible for ensuring effective utilization of residential facilities while promoting a student-centered, service-oriented residential experience.

Salary Grade:  17

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive occupancy strategies that support departmental, divisional, and university goals.
• Analyze enrollment projections, housing demand, retention data, market trends, and occupancy performance to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Lead annual occupancy forecasting and develop recommendations regarding housing utilization, capacity management, and future occupancy needs.
• Monitor occupancy performance and identify opportunities to improve bed utilization, housing yield, student retention, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop assignment priorities, policies, and procedures that support student success and departmental objectives.
• Partner with departmental leadership to evaluate housing inventory, occupancy trends, and long-range housing needs.
• Develop strategies that optimize occupancy and housing revenue while maintaining a positive and student-centered residential experience.
• Provide leadership for strategic initiatives related to residential occupancy, student engagement, and resource optimization.
• Provide oversight for all housing applications, assignments, room selection, waitlists, room changes, and housing contract administration processes.
• Ensure assignment practices are equitable, efficient, responsive, and aligned with university and departmental priorities.
• Oversee assignments for Living-Learning Communities, approved accommodations, special populations, and other designated residential programs.
• Evaluate and improve assignment workflows, business processes, and customer service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, housing procedures, and applicable federal regulations.
• Serve as the functional lead for the department's housing management system (StarRez) and related technology platforms supporting assignments, occupancy management, communications, reporting, and student engagement.
• Lead the development and implementation of StarRez workflows, portals, communications, reporting tools, and automated processes that improve efficiency and enhance the student experience.
• Collaborate with Information Technology Services and software vendors to evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions that support departmental and institutional objectives.
• Ensure data integrity, system effectiveness, and effective utilization of housing technology resources.
• Direct the development and implementation of strategic marketing and communication plans supporting housing recruitment, retention, engagement, and occupancy goals.
• Oversee communication initiatives for prospective students, admitted students, current residents, families, and campus stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Admissions, and University Communications to promote the value of the Mississippi State residential experience.
• Utilize StarRez, digital communication platforms, websites, social media, and other communication tools to support departmental objectives.
• Monitor communication effectiveness and recommend enhancements to outreach, engagement, and customer experience initiatives.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely messaging across all Housing and Residence Life communication channels.
• Serve as a primary Housing and Residence Life representative regarding occupancy planning, assignment processes, and residential initiatives.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with Admissions, Enrollment Management, Orientation and Events, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Student Affairs, and Information Technology Services.
• Support university initiatives that contribute to student recruitment, retention, engagement, and success.
• Represent Housing and Residence Life on university committees, task forces, and working groups.
• Foster strong relationships with campus stakeholders to support departmental and institutional priorities.
• Utilize assessment, predictive modeling, StarRez reporting tools, and data analytics to evaluate program effectiveness and support strategic decision-making.
• Develop reports, dashboards, forecasts, and key performance indicators related to occupancy, assignments, communications, housing demand, and retention.
• Utilize StarRez and other university data systems to monitor trends, analyze student behavior, evaluate housing demand, and support occupancy planning.
• Develop predictive models and forecasting tools that support resource allocation, enrollment initiatives, and long-range planning.
• Conduct benchmarking and environmental scanning to identify emerging trends and best practices within higher education housing.
• Recommend operational and strategic improvements based on assessment findings and data analysis.
• Present occupancy trends, performance metrics, and recommendations to departmental and university leadership.
• Supervise professional and support staff responsible for assignments, occupancy management, communications, and related functions.
• Establish performance expectations and promote employee engagement, accountability, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership during peak operational periods, including room selection, move-in, opening, and closing activities.
• Support departmental strategic planning, budget development, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field.

Experience:
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in university housing, enrollment management, student affairs administration, occupancy management, communications, marketing, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, assessment, data analysis, and project management.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Experience utilizing enterprise technology systems and data to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in university housing at a large public institution or R1 university.
• Experience leading housing occupancy planning and forecasting efforts.
• Experience developing and executing marketing and communication strategies.
• Advanced experience utilizing StarRez, including assignments management, reporting, communications, occupancy forecasting, business process development, and system optimization.
• Experience supporting student recruitment, retention, and success initiatives.
• Experience developing collaborative partnerships across multiple organizational units.
• Experience managing residential occupancy within a large and complex housing operation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of housing assignments, occupancy management, residential operations, and housing management systems, including StarRez or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of enrollment management principles and the relationship between housing occupancy, student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Skill in strategic planning, project management, assessment, data-informed decision-making, and process improvement.
• Skill in utilizing StarRez or comparable housing management systems to support assignments, communications, reporting, occupancy planning, and operational effectiveness.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, university leadership, and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and lead change in a dynamic environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, video conference, and written correspondence.
• Ability to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout residence halls, office locations, and campus facilities.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to travel throughout campus and occasionally attend off-campus meetings, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak operational periods, including room selection, move-in, opening, and closing activities.

Instructions for Applying:

Applicants must apply online and attach a cover letter and resume. Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.