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
Reporting to the Executive Director of the Office of Student Affairs, the Director of the Engineering Center for Student Organizations provides strategic leadership and oversight for more than 185 College of Engineering recognized student organizations and serves as the primary advocate, advisor, and subject matter expert for student organization engagement in the College of Engineering. The Director serves as a member of the OSA leadership team and leads ECSO's staff, services, policies, risk management, compliance processes, financial administration, and partnerships.
In this role, the Director develops and implements approved policies and long-term plans, supports student organization leaders, oversees student organization funding processes and facilities use, responds to urgent and complex student organization matters, and partners with College and University stakeholders to strengthen the student organization community and leadership development experience. ECSO is one of six units within Engineering's Office of Student Affairs.
For additional information, please visit the OSA and ECSO websites.
Responsibilities*
Leadership, Supervision, and Administration:
- Direct the Engineering Center for Student Organizations, which supports more than 185 engineering-recognized student organizations and serves approximately 15,000 students from across the University. Set strategic objectives and long-term plans for ECSO in alignment with OSA and College priorities.
- Develop policy, operational guidelines, and implementation plans with approval from the Executive Director. Lead implementation of approved policies, procedures, criteria, and processes.
- Serve as the primary subject matter expert and advocate for Engineering-affiliated student organization engagement across the University. Provide data analysis, strategic proposals, reports, and forecasting to the Executive Director as needed.
- Supervise ECSO professional and student staff, including hiring, training, work planning, performance management, time approval, coaching, and ongoing support. Serve as a member of the OSA leadership team and report to the Executive Director of OSA.
- Serve as the College's designated Unit Authority for Engineering Sponsored Student Organizations, authorizing and managing required University processes on behalf of the College in accordance with established policies and delegated authority. Serve as the primary College contact for emerging, non-routine, or complex student organization needs.
Risk Management, Facilities, and Issues Management:
- Manage risk, compliance, and assessment processes related to engineering student organization activities. Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, Procurement, Facilities, the Center for Campus Involvement, and other campus partners to address student organization risk, emergencies, crises, prevention efforts, event safety, travel incidents, facility issues, conduct concerns, financial concerns, property damage, and other urgent or complex matters.
- Provide after-hours and on-call support for student organization matters as assigned, including urgent issues related to travel, facilities, and safety.
- Coordinate with Facilities and College partners to implement policies, manage compliance, and evaluate utilization of student organization-controlled spaces and student organization use of College facilities, including classrooms, CAEN labs, storage, meeting, and event spaces.
Student Organization Advising and Leadership Development:
- Oversee the leadership development, recognition, registration, and compliance processes for engineering-recognized student organizations. Enforce established recognition criteria and coordinate with College leadership regarding updates to recognition policies or processes.
- Advise student organization leaders on organization development, leadership transitions, event planning, recruitment, governance, conflict resolution, and other student organization matters, including complex or sensitive student issues.
- Create opportunities and programs for student organizations to build community, collaborate, strengthen leadership capacity, and contribute to a positive and inclusive engineering student organization ecosystem.
Financial Responsibilities:
- Oversee ECSO financial administration and student organization funding processes, including operating funds, student organization support funds, donations, endowments, grants, and related funding sources.
- Authorize allocations to student organizations within established criteria. Provide guidance to student organization leaders on funding opportunities, spending processes, financial stewardship, and compliance with University policies.
- Support compliance with University and other applicable policy and processes for student organization-related private and government grants, scholarships, and gift funds.
Partnerships and College/University Coordination:
- Represent OSA and engineering student organization needs on College and University committees, working groups, and planning efforts. Serve as a primary liaison between engineering student organizations and College or University units, departments, and administrative offices.
- Support the College of Engineering Student Government regarding policy issues, procedures, and engagement with College leadership.
- Build and maintain effective partnerships across OSA, the College, and the University to support student organization engagement, student leadership, risk management, compliance, and student-centered service delivery.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree. Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, educational leadership, or a related field, preferred.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, leadership development, higher education administration, or a related area.
- Experience advising, mentoring, or supporting students in a higher education setting, including experience navigating complex or sensitive student issues.
- Experience supervising, training, and supporting staff, interns, or student employees.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, projects, operations, or services in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience with risk management, crisis response, or complex student organization/event-related issues.
- Experience with budget management, financial administration, or resource allocation.
- Ability to apply student/leadership development to student engagement programs and services.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, analyze complex situations, evaluate options, and make appropriate decisions within established policies and delegated authority.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, student-centered practices that support student engagement, leadership, wellbeing, and belonging.
A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Maternity and Parental Leave
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
- This position requires the ability to travel to various campus locations to conduct work, attend meetings, support events, and respond to student organization needs.
- The person in this position routinely presents information at events, meetings, trainings, and student organization programs.
- This position may require early morning, evening, and weekend work related to student organization events, urgent issues, travel, and College or University programs.
- This position includes after-hours and on-call support for student organization emergency response, as assigned
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.