Director of Residential Life

Tacoma, Washington, Annie Wright Schools seek a Director of Residential Life to begin on July 1, 2027. This is a full-time position that sits on the Senior Leadership Team and reports to the Head of Schools. Mission Statement Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society. Position Description The Director of Residential Life provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for all aspects of the AWS boarding program, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and values. The Director hires, trains, supervises, supports, and evaluates the eight-person Dorm Parent team. As an active member of that team, the Director shares weekend duty responsibilities and provides coverage and support as needed. The Director maintains the dorm’s values-based residential culture, shapes disciplinary philosophy, mentors the Dorm Honor Council, oversees the Prefect Program, and promotes responsible community membership. The Director ensures the safety, well-being, and personal development of all boarding students through residential curricular programming in character education, community membership, and the development of personal values such as integrity and responsibility. The Director counsels students and staff, supports dorm parents in addressing student needs, and maintains strong communication with boarding families. The Director establishes and maintains safety protocols and emergency preparedness procedures, ensuring that the dormitory is a secure and supportive living environment. The Director manages the residential program budget, coordinates dormitory maintenance and physical plant needs, and develops systems that support effective daily operations. Working collaboratively with school departments and divisions, the Director ensures that the boarding program is adequately supported and integrated with the broader educational mission and operational priorities of the school. Through active leadership and collaboration, the Director sustains a safe, well-managed, and purposeful residential community that supports students’ academic, social, and personal growth. Core Job Responsibilities: The Director of Residential Life:

Provides leadership, advocacy, and vision for the Residential Life program. Carries themselves with the professionalism expected of a senior leader. Directly hires, manages, retains, and evaluates the dorm staff. Ensures the effective delivery of the following programs:

Student Leadership (Prefect Program) Student Life Dorm Groups Social-Emotional Counseling/Support

Delivers a student retention rate that is consistent with five-year averages Communicates effectively with the dorm community, collectively and individually, and ensures that all communications coming from the dorms are equally effective. Ensures the Residential Life budget is kept updated and accurate throughout the school year. Coordinates effectively with the maintenance team to ensure the dorm facilities are kept up to appropriate standards. Maintains the annual NWAIS accreditation/licensing requirements to stay in compliance with Washington State and DCYF.

Salary & benefits This position offers a salary range between $80,000 and $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The Director of Residential Life also receives a rent-free campus house (including utilities and landscaping), meals for self and family when school is in session, internet access, personal computer, and use of school facilities. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employee Assistance Program Life insurance Accidental death & dismemberment insurance Long-term disability insurance Paid sick leave: Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of sick leave per accrual year 35 days of vacation per accrual year Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3 % employee contribution

Application Process Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community, and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application , all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org . In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. Qualifications The Director of Residential Life will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list. Annie Wright Schools encourage candidates to apply who may not currently possess but are working on building these qualities. The Director of Residential Life:

holds a BA or master's in education; has a minimum of five years' experience working in residential programs, preferably at NAIS-affiliated schools; has administrative experience within residential programming; has demonstrated an ability to effectively supervise faculty; is highly organized and capable of developing and executing efficient workflow systems; is a strong communicator (written and spoken) and empathetic listener; practices cultural humility in personal interactions; is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.

Physical Requirements The Director of Residential Life:

Must be capable of long hours and late nights, much of which is spent on the move, supporting and engaging students; Must be able to (occasionally) lift up to 50 pounds and move consistently up and down many flights of stairs; Must be able to move with agility and engage in active, playful activities with students; Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time; Must be able to drive large passenger vans and buses; Must be able to communicate and exchange information with others.

Salary & benefits

This position offers a salary range between $80,000 and $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The Director of Residential Life also receives a rent-free campus house (including utilities and landscaping), meals for self and family when school is in session, internet access, personal computer, and use of school facilities. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employee Assistance Program Life insurance Accidental death & dismemberment insurance Long-term disability insurance Paid sick leave: Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of sick leave per accrual year 35 days of vacation per accrual year Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3 % employee contribution