Shared Ground Project Manager

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. We welcome applicants with disabilities and support individuals in requesting accommodations.

Who We Are

At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.

To learn more about SEAS and our values, please visit our website at https://seas.umich.edu/about/seas-values.

Job Summary

This position will work 20 hours per week, or a 50% effort. The full job description can be found here.

As the Shared Ground Project Manager, you will work under the strategic direction of the faculty Principal Investigator (PI) and have primary responsibility for the day-to-day management and implementation of the initiative, translating program priorities into coordinated action across University, municipal, community, and consultant workstreams. The Project Manager will manage project timelines and deliverables; coordinate partners and student-supported work; provide applied design expertise and contribute significantly to site planning, design, and implementation; organize community engagement; and coordinate project communications, evaluation, and reporting.

Note: This position is a 2-year, part-time term-limited appointment, contingent upon continued project funding and satisfactory performance, with the possibility of renewal dependent upon funding and programmatic need.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa application.

Responsibilities*

Program and Project Management

• Lead day-to-day management of Shared Ground in collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) and faculty team, maintaining project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, decisions, and follow-up actions across partners.
• Coordinate meetings, site-based activities, external contracts, and partner responsibilities; resolve routine issues and elevate strategic matters to project leadership.
• Recruit and supervise student employees, establish priorities and work plans, monitor progress, and appropriately handle confidential information protected by federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Community and Partner Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for Shared Ground partners and inquiries, applying regional and industry knowledge to support effective collaboration.
• Build and maintain relationships with municipal, nonprofit, community, and University partners.
• Plan and facilitate inclusive community engagement activities, including meetings and listening sessions, and coordinate honoraria, materials, logistics, and follow-up.

Applied Design and Implementation

• Provide landscape architecture expertise and project management support for pilot planning, design, and implementation, translating community priorities, ecological information, and site conditions into actionable concepts.
• Lead site visits, field activities, design reviews, installations, and related logistics in collaboration with faculty, students, partners, consultants, and contractors.
• Coordinate student participation across capstones, Sustainability Clinic activities, employment, and fellowships, aligning student work with partner needs and maintaining continuity across project phases.

Communications

• Develop and coordinate project communications with the PI, faculty, students, partners, and School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) communications staff.
• Document project progress, outcomes, and lessons learned for University and external community audiences.
• Support the development and dissemination of materials that enable replication and scaling of Shared Ground approaches and findings.

Evaluation

• Track project outputs, participation, implementation progress, and performance indicators established by project leadership.
• Coordinate the collection and organization of information for project evaluation and reporting.
• Prepare progress reports and related materials for PI review and submission to University leadership and funders.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree (minimum) in sustainability, environmental studies, urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, community development, social work, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least two years of experience managing or coordinating community-based, public-sector, nonprofit, academic, or interdisciplinary programs or projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple activities, timelines, meetings, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to move projects forward while managing changing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to build respectful working relationships with people from different professional, institutional, and community backgrounds.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, community partners, and public-sector organizations.
• Ability and willingness to participate in meetings, site visits, and engagement activities in Detroit.

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.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

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.