U-M Maritime Institute Program 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.

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Mission Statement

The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was started in 1879 with an act of Congress authorizing a Navy officer to teach "steam engineering and iron shipbuilding." Since this modest beginning, NAME has grown into a worldwide leader in education and research, with 25 faculty members and 11 staff members, serving our undergraduate and graduate students and a network of some 3,000 living alumni. Our department continues to develop engineers and technology to advance the state-of-the-art systems operating in the marine environment. The department's students and faculty engage in a wide range of research, with specialists working in hydrodynamics, marine and offshore structures dynamics, control, and marine system integration, robotics and autonomy, yacht design, production, and management, marine renewable energy, and structural and hydro-acoustics. The Department has access to outstanding computational resources and the experimental facilities of the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory, including its large physical modeling basin, which is a vital resource.

Job Summary

The U-M Maritime Institute Program Manager is responsible for developing and managing the University of Michigan (U-M) Maritime Institute's programs, with an administrative home in the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The U-M Maritime Institute is being established using a five-year Strategic Initiative Fund award, positioning U-M as the national leader driving America's maritime revitalization via maritime innovation, technology development at speed and scale, and holistic workforce development. This role involves coordinating, planning, and executing programmatic activities for the Maritime Institute.

Activities include developing and overseeing program plans, budgets, and the strategic roadmap; managing partner relationships and communications; allocating internal resources; tracking performance and reporting; and managing other Institute staff members. The Program Manager should analyze, compare, and evaluate actions, make independent decisions within their responsibilities, and consult with the Institute's Directors on significant matters. This is a five-year internal U-M-funded position with funding through 2031 and the possibility of renewal that year.

Responsibilities*

Institute Strategy & Program Development

• Lead development and implementation of the Maritime Institute's five-year strategic roadmap, annual work plans, and program portfolio.
• Translate Institute priorities into measurable objectives, milestones, budgets, deliverables, and performance measures.
• Prepare strategic briefings and recommendations for Institute Directors, U-M leadership, and key stakeholders.

Administration & Operations

• Manage daily Institute operations, including internal processes, calendars, records, meetings, travel, purchasing, and logistical coordination.
• Establish efficient administrative procedures and ensure compliance with applicable U-M financial, purchasing, travel, contracting, and human-resources policies.
• Coordinate Institute activities across the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, participating U-M units, and external partners.

Program Management & Reporting

• Develop and oversee program plans defining objectives, scopes of work, schedules, budgets, responsibilities, and deliverables.
• Establish performance measures for research, workforce development, student engagement, partner participation, funding, and Institute impact.
• Monitor progress, identify implementation risks, recommend corrective actions, and prepare reports, dashboards, and Strategic Initiative Fund materials.

Partnership Development & Engagement

• Manage relationships with industry, government, academic, nonprofit, workforce, and community partners.
• Coordinate partner meetings, site visits, working groups, advisory committees, and follow-up activities.
• Support development of partnership agreements, sponsorships, research collaborations, and other strategic engagements.

Personnel Management

• Supervise Institute staff, student employees, temporary personnel, and other assigned team members.
• Establish work plans, performance expectations, communication practices, and professional development opportunities.
• Coordinate recruitment, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and support for Institute personnel in partnership with U-M human-resources staff.

Project Development & Support (in coordination with Research Area Specialist Lead)

• Coordinate maritime workforce development and education programs for students, professionals, technical audiences, and industry partners.
• Support interdisciplinary research, technology development, demonstration, commercialization, and external funding activities involving U-M faculty, students, and collaborators.
• Build and track partnerships, internships, industry-sponsored projects, research collaborations, mentoring, site visits, career activities, and resulting workforce and innovation outcomes.

Financial Management (in coordination with assigned Research Administrator)

• Develop, monitor, and update annual and multi-year operating budgets for Institute programs and activities.
• Track expenditures, personnel costs, travel, events, equipment, and other programmatic expenses. Prepare forecasts and variance analyses.
• Prepare financial reports and support budget justifications for grants, contracts, sponsorships, and partnership proposals.

Communications & Marketing (in coordination with Marketing Coordinator)

• Develop and implement communications strategies that increase awareness of the Institute's programs, partnerships, and accomplishments.
• Manage Institute websites, newsletters, social-media content, reports, promotional materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Prepare presentations, talking points, briefing materials, and written content for Institute Directors and other representatives.

Events & Engagement (in coordination with Marketing Coordinator)

• Plan and execute conferences, workshops, seminars, advisory meetings, technical forums, student events, and partner convenings.
• Manage event objectives, agendas, speakers, participant outreach, logistics, budgets, registration, and follow-up.
• Capture event insights, commitments, and partnership opportunities to inform Institute strategy and program development.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with a commitment to creating a positive work environment and working collaboratively with others.
• Experience and knowledge of HR, finance, and budget policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability and desire to work independently, contribute as part of a team, and show initiative.

Desired Qualifications*

• Program Management Professional Certification.
• Knowledge of University of Michigan policies and procedures or policies and procedures in a higher education environment.

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

A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

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.