Job Description

Executive Director of Housing Operations


The University of Utah invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next executive director of housing operations. This is an on-site leadership role.

Located in the vibrant urban setting of Salt Lake City, the University of Utah is the state's flagship institution and a leading center of higher education in the region. A Tier 1 research university and member of the Association of American Universities, the U is also home to Utah's only academic medical center, providing nationally recognized health sciences education, research, and patient care. With an ambitious goal of becoming a top-10 public university with unsurpassed societal impact, the University of Utah is committed to advancing knowledge and making meaningful social, economic, and cultural contributions that enhance the quality of life across the state, the nation, and the world.

The executive director provides strategic leadership for a broad portfolio that includes Occupancy Management, Budget and Finance, Communications and Assessment, Technology and Housing Systems, and Living-Learning Programs. A central focus of the position will be developing and implementing strategies to strengthen demand for campus housing, optimize occupancy and revenue, enhance the residential student experience, and ensure that housing strategies align with the University's broader enrollment, academic, and student success priorities. The executive director will bring a data-informed, forward-thinking approach to these efforts, identifying opportunities to strengthen operations, improve effectiveness, and position the Department of Housing & Dining Programs to respond successfully to evolving student needs and market conditions. The executive director manages a dynamic team of 19 professionals, including four direct reports, and administers an annual budget of approximately $5 million.

Salary Range: $125,000-$135,000

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. A master's degree in higher education, student affairs, business administration, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should also bring at least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience, including significant management and leadership responsibilities within university housing, student affairs, enrollment management, auxiliary services, or a comparably complex organization to the role. Other requirements include demonstrated success in supervising, developing, and leading professional staff; managing budgets and complex initiatives; and guiding organizational change. Additionally, the executive director must possess strong analytical and project-management capabilities, including the ability to use data to inform strategy and decision-making, as well as excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Application and Nomination

The University of Utah has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin on October 9, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit aresume and cover letter via https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/executive-director-housing-operations/

- Contact J. Scott Derrick at [email protected] for confidential inquiries.
- Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

Visit the University of Utah website at https://www.utah.edu/

The University of Utah does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or protected veteran's status, in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights, or both.

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