Chief Administrator, LSA Psychology

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 Psychology is seeking a high-level Chief Administrator. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader who can partner with the Department Chair, four Department Associate Chairs, and nine Ph.D. Program Area Chairs, Dean's office, and colleagues to create an effective and robust administrative structure to support and promote optimal departmental functioning.

The Department of Psychology has a rich tradition of education and research and is consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation (currently ranked #3 in the US News & World Report). Our top-ranked department has world-renowned faculty, successful alumni, and the best and brightest students working on cutting-edge research. The department has 83 tenure-track faculty, 33 lecturers, 60 emeritus faculty, 35 affiliate faculty, 27 research fellows, 40 research staff, and 18 administrative staff. Total annual financial volume is approximately $42 million, comprised of 71% general funds, 28% sponsored research funds, and 1% gift funds.  The Department has 185 Ph.D. and master's students and approximately 1,400 undergraduate majors.

Key skills and attributes required by all members of the Chief Administrator community include:

• An individual who embraces the mission, vision, and values of LSA and the Department, and the Chief Administrator's community leadership values
• High-level administrative experience in an academic setting
• Excellent change management skills to guide administrative and personnel transitions
• Commitment to improving administrative processes and building efficiencies within and across departments and the College
• Ability to engage in strategic planning to set and reach both short- and long-term goals
• Commitment to establishing, maintaining, and sustaining an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, empowered, and able to succeed 
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, and expenditure projection
• Experience in research budgeting and oversight
• Experience and demonstrated success in leading and managing administrative, technical, and research staff. 
• A commitment to collaboration and partnership
• Strong communication skills, with excellent people skills and experience building and leading teams
• Experience with grants management, HR policies and procedures, and processes related to student funding and support.

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 LSA and Department leadership; Advise the Chair & Director 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 to create student retention and success models;  lead initiatives to assess the impact of student support and programming; lead the student services area to create, disseminate, and maintain resources, policies, and procedures 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 and review positions for appropriate classifications and rates. Assist and provide guidance to the Chair regarding UMOR research track hires, LEO lecturer appointments and renewals, sabbatical and other leaves, and emeritus status.  Create and update Memos of Understanding to specify research, teaching, and service commitments for faculty with split appointments.

FACILITIES

Partner with the Chair on long-range planning of facilities and space utilization, which includes research labs, administrative space, and instructional space. Partner with the LSA Facilities Team to optimize space utilization.

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 the acceptable range and proactively address issues. Interpret and provide information related to the University, College, Department, and Applied Physics Program, and administrators and outside units with authority to make financial and operational commitments. Resolve operating problems, employee complaints, and grievances. Serve on University, College, and Department committees.

Partner with the Department Chair on long-range planning and strategic operations.   Assist in developing policies and procedures, and 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 facility 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 or more years of administrative work in an academic; Five or more years of experience supervising, mentoring, and professionally developing a variety of staff; strong financial management skills in budgeting and expense reporting; experience developing a highly interactive and collaborative team environment; 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. Experience with management of externally funded sponsored research, and 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 preferred.
Knowledge of UM policies and procedures strongly preferred.

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care- That's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

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: 

• Generous time off programs.

• Our retirement plan provides two-for-one matching contributions.

• Comprehensive options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance.

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Tuition support, including the ability to take undergraduate courses in LSA at no cost.

• Meeting-free days and communication norms that help you to "unplug" from work.

• Access to deals, discounts, and attractions; see Uniquely Michigan for details.

  
   

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.