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.
Job Summary
Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Michigan is hiring a Director of Strategic Initiatives. The selected candidate will work with ECE leadership and other stakeholders to contribute toward external strategic department initiatives and manage the department's marketing and communication plans. This range of activity includes proposals for optimization of internal processes, executive communications for the Department Chair, and management of alumni engagement programs and donor relations to support ECE's long-term growth and to enhance the division's reputation and visibility.
Responsibilities*
- Understand the department's key missions of research, teaching, and service, and how to frame strategic planning in support of academic priorities
- Serve as an extension of the department chair in working with faculty, students, and staff to realize the division's external strategic goals
- Contribute creatively and provide comprehensive project management support for external strategic initiatives: identify action items and milestones; establish and maintain project timelines, status, and deliverables through to completion; create project reports and high-level executive summaries; advise Chair on issues and barriers to meeting outcomes
- Provide project portfolio management and strategic support for initiatives; identifying action items and milestones; establishing and maintaining project timelines, status, and deliverables through completion of projects/initiatives; creating project reports and high-level executive summaries. Track key outcomes and prepare reports for leadership to assess progress
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget
- Utilize data and metrics to make data driven informed decisions about planned and ongoing initiatives
- Contribute creatively toward project initiatives to achieve department objectives and strategic goals
- Manage and oversee conferences and fundraising visits - alumni receptions, booths, or other activities are hosted at these conferences
- Provider agenda management for ECEC, including presentation preparation, by coordinating with other faculty and staff as appropriate
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop programs to further improve the visibility and reputation of ECE
- Conduct studies, analyses, and evaluations periodically and as needed, with regular focus on external mission areas
- Oversee and manage the department's giving programs; interact with unit gift officers and donors as appropriate; solicit funds; correspond with donors; establish and maintain a robust program to engage and leverage the talents of department alumni
- Collaborate with other units on campus to advance the mission of ECE
- Conduct other duties as directed by the Chair or Unit Administrator, such as chairing and supporting study groups, planning and interfacing with the department's ECEC, troubleshooting and following up on issues raised, etc.
- Supervision of three or more ECE central staff members
- Other related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, public relations, communications, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, preferably within an academic department
- Proven experience supporting department leadership (e.g. department chair, faculty committees, advisory boards) in executing high-priority initiatives
- Significant experience planning and executing conferences, alumni engagement activities, and donor facing events
- Significant experience managing complex programs or events with multiple stakeholders, budgets, and timelines
- Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and implementing large-scale projects and initiatives
- Experience collaborating with advancement/development and supporting donor engagement strategies
- Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with donors to secure gifts
- Experience supervising and developing staff
- Experience collaborating with units across campus
- Demonstrated strong analytical and excellent organizational skills
- Exhibited strong written and verbal communication abilities in developing collaborative relationships with faculty, donors, and corporate partners
- Ability to perform duties of a sensitive and confidential nature that require discretion, independent judgment, and sound decision-making skills
- Demonstrated history of success working with and leading teams and positive relationship building with stakeholders at all levels is required
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10 weeks per year
- Ability to move up to 50lbs
- Understanding of UM policies and procedures
- Experience with DART
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.
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.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.