How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position. Your cover letter should be at most 1 page and should be attached to your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest, skills, and experience related to the position.
Job Summary
The Department of History at the University of Michigan is one of the premier and largest History departments in the world. We are a diverse intellectual community dedicated to excellence through research and teaching; learn more about the department at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/history/.
We seek a team member who:
- embraces the mission and vision of LSA and the department of History and the principles of integrity & trust, accountability & sound judgment, collaboration & innovation and positive & engaged community.
- has an innovative and flexible approach to work.
- enjoys working with quickly evolving projects and is comfortable taking action in a growing and changing workplace.
- has a high level of initiative, discretion, accountability and sound judgment regarding sensitive and confidential matters.
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.
Responsibilities*
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Strategic partner with the Chairs Office to hire, promote, and retain the best History faculty in their fields.
- Manage processes in Faculty Life Cycle such as award and professorship nominations, leave requests, reviews, and sabbaticals.
- Compose and initiate original correspondence requiring interpretation of policies; draft, format, and edit confidential and sensitive reports and correspondence for the Chair.
- Create travel itineraries and coordinate all travel-related arrangements.
- Effectively maintain Chair's calendar and avoid conflicts in the schedule, coordinating meetings on their behalf.
- Manage communication and dissemination of information.
- With input from Chair and CA, draft weekly Executive Committee and monthly department meeting agendas. Take and distribute minutes from these meetings. Follow up on discussions and/or directives from the meetings to see that appropriate action is initiated.
- Plan and coordinate meetings.
- Work as a team with highly-skilled staff in a fast-paced environment and foster a positive and engaged community.
- Model and inspire a positive, creative environment that cultivates learning and curiosity.
- Perform other duties as assigned in order to support the goals and objectives of the department.
- The Executive Secretary will work with the Chair and others to draft proposals and engage with donors, alumni, and strategic partners in industry, non-profits, foundations, government agencies and academia for these and other innovative programs that will continue to propel U-M Historys world preeminence.
Required Qualifications*
This position requires an extremely high level of organizational skills and a high degree of confidentiality. Outstanding interpersonal as well as communication skills are required. Must have excellent writing skills as the successful candidate will draft and edit multiple types of communications on behalf of the Chair. The successful candidate will have the ability to work effectively and sensitively with a diverse group of students, faculty and staff and to handle sensitive and confidential materials and situations and value differences.
We require a high level of proficiency with information technology applications including spreadsheets, presentation software, and word processing. In particular, we seek expertise in all Microsoft Suite software, Adobe Acrobat, Google applications and demonstrated motivation to find and use new software to enhance the work in History. The ideal candidate will consistently seek innovation and collaboration with original thinking and risk-taking to find fresh solutions.
We require a demonstrated high level of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making. The successful candidate must be a self-starter; be able to set priorities and handle multiple assignments and deadlines; learn quickly and stay calm in the face of concurrent tasks; must possess evidence of successful adaptation to change and display excellent judgment while operating in a flexible and highly professional manner. The History Department depends on our staff to work successfully in a team environment as well as work independently with minimal supervision. A high degree of attention to detail and accuracy is a must. We are looking for someone who shows initiative; the desire to identify opportunities for changes to processes, procedures and duties; and a willingness to assume additional responsibilities. A successful candidate will be proactive in all aspects of the position, be imaginative and think outside the box.
We require a demonstrated ability to exercise a positive service-oriented attitude with the ability to show initiative and exercise solid judgment; the ability to handle challenging situations with tact and diplomacy.
The successful candidate will be required to occasionally flex their hours in order to attend evening events or to meet upcoming project deadlines. The department does offer the possibility of a hybrid work schedule that includes both in-person and remote work. Schedules are determined in consultation with the Chair and CA.
Desired Qualifications*
- A Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
- At least 5 years of administrative support to an upper-level manager/executive, preferably in an academic setting.
- Experience writing reports, outreach materials, and routine correspondence
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 worlds great liberal arts 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 LSAs Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
The salary range for this position is $58,000-$72,600. Please note that a higher salary may be offered for highly qualified candidates.
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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.