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How to Apply
A cover letter addressing your specific interest in the position and outlining your skills and experience that directly relate to this position is required. Attach the cover letter to your resume.
Who We Are
The Department of History at the University of Michigan is one of the finest and largest History departments in the world, consistently ranked in the top half dozen programs, and has been a model of innovative programs that other history departments seek to emulate. We are seeking a high-level Chief Administrator for the unit who is an experienced and dynamic leader who can partner with the Chair, Dean's office, and colleagues to create an effective and robust administrative structure to support and promote optimal departmental functioning.
History has 51 tenure-track Faculty FTE's, 4 lecturers, and 8 regular staff. The Department has 136 PhD students across the History and Anthropology programs, 286 undergraduate majors, and 153 minors.
Key skills and attributes required by all members in the Chief Administrator community include:
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
What You'll Do
FINANCIAL RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide budgeting and expense projections; Establish controls to maintain budget oversight; Review business transactions for compliance with relevant policies and regulations and provide departmental authorization for these transactions; Manage and oversee all research (including external grant funding), operating (general fund), discretionary, designated, recharge and endowment funds including the implementation of fiscal policies and procedures; Monitor and maintain budget policies set forth by the College of LS&A and Department leadership; Advise the Chair regarding optimal uses of financial resources for planning and management discussions. Working with the LSA services areas, prepare special budget and financial reports with statistical analysis where required.
STUDENT ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide leadership in the unit's academic services area for undergraduate and graduate students and staff; work directly with the Chair, Directors of Graduate and Undergraduate studies to create student retention and success models; lead initiatives to assess the impact of student support and programing; lead the student services area to create, disseminate and maintain resources, policies and procedure for the unit and School; provide guidance and develop best practices.
HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES
Facilitate the successful performance and continuous development of staff. Coordinate the work of staff, providing leadership in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with support for professional development; approve job descriptions for non-academic positions; review positions for appropriate classification and compensation level; provide oversight for procedures related to faculty recruitment, appointment, review, retention, and promotion. Work collaboratively with LSA Human Resources to develop job descriptions, review positions for appropriate classifications, and rates. Assist and guide the Chair, UMOR research track hires, LEO lecturer appointments and renewals, sabbatical and other leaves, and emeritus status. Create and update Memorandums of Understanding to specify research, teaching, and service commitments for faculty with split appointments.
Analyze and evaluate the administrative staffing needs of the department.
FACILITIES
Partner with the Chair on long-range planning of facilities and space utilization, which includes research labs, administrative space, and instructional space.
DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL, AND UNIVERSITY RESPONSIBILITIES
Be familiar with UM policies and procedures and ensure awareness and compliance among faculty, staff, and students. Routinely monitor departmental activities to ensure variance is within an acceptable range and proactively address issues. Interpret and provide information related to University, School, and Department policies and business procedures to all faculty, students, and staff. Approve the annual unit's space surveys. Represent the Department to other University units and administrators and outside units with authority to make financial and operational commitments. Resolve operating problems, employee complaints, and grievances. Serve on University, School, and Department committees.
Partner with the Department Chair on long-range planning and strategic operations. Assist in developing policies and procedures, interpret University and College policies and procedures for the faculty, staff, and students. Oversee all aspects of and provide leadership in student services areas, including: GSI appointments, fellowships, graduate student recruiting, graduate student services, and undergraduate student services. Oversee development activities, including alumni relations, donor stewardship, and fundraising; manage, plan, and coordinate facilities use and renovation. Actively participate in the LSA's Chief Administrators group; Serve as a liaison for administrative matters to the College of LSA.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree or equivalent required. Five to seven years of administrative work in an academic environment; strong financial management skills in budgeting and expense reporting; strong experience developing a highly interactive and collaborative team environments; demonstrated ability in managing staff, leadership through change, and working within a complex and collaborative administrative structure; excellent verbal and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal and leadership skills; strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to manage various aspects of a complex organization. Five or more years of experience supervising, mentoring, and professionally developing a variety of staff. Experience with management of externally funded sponsored research, experience with undergraduate and graduate student programs. Experience in a research environment in conjunction with grant/contract proposal preparation. Ability to work proactively in a fast-paced, dynamic unit and the ability to work independently and interactively as part of a team. Excellent communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills are necessary. Strong organizational skills, competency, and experience using technical and administrative tools to effectively manage a unit's business practices.
Desired Qualifications*
Master's degree level of education preferred.
Knowledge of UM policies and procedures strongly preferred
Why Work at Michigan?
We are so proud that the University of Michigan offers comprehensive benefits to support your wellness as you plan for a stable and secure future. To enhance a career filled with purpose and opportunity, other benefits include:
While you will primarily work from our central campus in Ann Arbor, LSA offers flexible work options. To support work-life balance, LSA has an email policy that limits non-essential emails to weekday business hours. We invite you to take a look at LSA's mission, vision, and values.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision, and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.