Posted: 14-Jan-26
Location: West Newton, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Salary: $120,000 - $135,000
Categories:
Required Education:
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 School’s 100 residential students, its boarding faculty, and their families. The Director works with fellow administrators and colleagues to support all constituencies within Fessenden’s 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 program’s students and the School’s 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
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- Commitment to boys and boys’ education
- Successful criminal background and DMV checks
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $135,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
Note: nothing in this job description restricts The Fessenden School’s 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 School’s 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 sarmstrong@fessenden.org (no phone calls, please) by January 30, 2026.