Overnight Desk Manager

University of Chicago provided pay range

This range is provided by University of Chicago. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$28.00/yr - $31.00/yr

CSL Housing and Residence Life Operations

The mission of Housing and Residence Life is to help develop and support inclusive communities that engage residents in exceptional living experiences within secure and well‑maintained environments that foster a sense of belonging and support the academic initiatives of the University. The primary strategy for the delivery of such an environment is through a residence life program that aims to develop strong residential communities that are self‑regulating, supportive of academic success;

provide a strong sense of belonging, and rich opportunities for personal, cultural, social and intellectual development. The leadership of residential faculty and adult staff in fostering these experiences is key to the success of the mission.

The Overnight Desk Manager (ODM) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, security, and operational continuity of Housing and Residence Life during overnight hours. This position provides direct oversight and support for the 10 front desks across the residential portfolio, serving as the primary point of contact for overnight desk operations, emergency response coordination, and safety‑related concerns. The ODM partners closely with the Assistant and Associate Directors for Desk and Mail Operations, Facilities Services, and live‑in residential staff and faculty to ensure 24/7 desk coverage, adherence to safety protocols, and timely response to incidents that impact residents and staff.

The ODM works primarily nights, evenings, and weekends, providing overnight leadership presence and critical support in managing urgent operational and security‑related issues when other administrative offices are closed.

• Serves as the primary overnight contact for staffing issues, including desk clerk call‑offs, emergency shift coverage, and time‑off‑related scheduling needs. Ensures 3:00–11:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. shifts are filled and appropriately documented in the Kronos scheduling system.
• Maintains and updates administrative records in Star Rez, including key code records following lock changes, and conducts routine audits of checked‑out keys, radios, and other safety equipment.
• Provides oversight of overnight desk clerks and ensure residence hall procedures related to hall security when residence halls are open—checking and verifying student and staff IDs and verifying guest registration. Keep staff appraised of emergencies and respond to residence hall situations that might involve policy violations, emergencies, and other community concerns.
• Conducts periodic walk‑throughs of desk areas to monitor overnight operations, support front desk staff, and ensure compliance with safety protocols and expectations.
• Monitors and enforces compliance with all desk clerk training requirements, emergency response procedures, and policies outlined in the Desk Clerk Manual.
• Coordinates closely with Facilities Services, UCPD, and professional live‑in staff to triage overnight incidents, including building emergencies, security concerns, and student wellness issues.
• Serves as the overnight liaison for escalating safety risks or unusual activity, ensuring documentation and follow‑up occurs in partnership with campus safety and residential leadership.
• Supports emergency response coordination during after‑hours incidents by deploying to the scene, facilitating communication, or providing logistical backup to housing or university response teams.
• Prepares special reports and summaries, assists in managing daily operation of the office, and may assist in developing administrative goals and policies. Maintains the leader’s calendar.
• Coordinates special projects as directed by the leader. Prepares write‑ups for recommendations for operational and administrative problems. Manages a portion of the leader’s budget, monitoring and reconciling accounts. Prepares financial and/or…