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
Michigan Law, one of the oldest law schools in the nation, was founded in 1859 and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its academic rigor, stunning physical surroundings, the faculty's preeminent scholarship, and an academic community noted for collegiality and warmth. Supported by remarkable facilities, preeminent faculty-scholars, and unparalleled architecture and physical environment, Michigan Law has more than 22,000 alumni, over 1,000 J.D. candidates, and 107 full-time faculty members, including 55 tenured and tenure-track, 27 clinical and legal practice, and 57 part-time faculty members. For the graduating class of 2024, 98 percent were employed. Contributing to the close-knit law-school community, law students have a choice of 9 student-edited journals and more than 70 student organizations in which to participate.
Job Summary
The Executive Director of Administrative Services is a senior administrative leader responsible for key administrative functions at the Law School. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Executive
Director provides leadership and oversight for human resources, academic human resources, faculty administrative support, and academic and special events. The Executive Director also
helps ensure the Law School has the administrative structures and capacity to support new programs and initiatives as organizational needs evolve. The Executive Director leads a team of administrative professionals, including directors responsible for key functional areas, and works closely with other senior and operational leaders across the Law School. The Executive Director oversees operational budgets associated with these functions and partners with the Chief of Staff on cross-functional projects and special initiatives.
Responsibilities*
Administrative Leadership
- Provide senior leadership and oversight for human resources, academic human resources, faculty support, academic and special events, and other assigned administrative functions.
- Lead, supervise, and develop a team of at least 11 staff members, including directors and other administrative professionals, establishing clear expectations while empowering functional leaders to manage their respective areas.
- Ensure effective operations across the portfolio, identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, coordination, service, and accountability.
- Oversee operational budgets associated with assigned functions, working closely with the Law School's finance team.
- Work closely with operational directors in finance, facilities, and information technology on cross-functional projects and emerging administrative needs.
- Partner with the Chief of Staff and other senior leaders on special initiatives and complex administrative matters.
Human Resources and Academic Human Resources
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for human resources and academic human resources, working in close partnership with the Human Resources Director and staff responsible for day-to-day HR operations.
- Advise senior leaders on complex faculty and staff HR matters and provide administrative oversight for faculty and academic appointments and related personnel processes.
- Interpret and advise on University policies, collective bargaining agreements, employment requirements, and other complex HR matters.
- Maintain strong relationships with key University HR and academic personnel partners and stay current on relevant policies, laws, and developments.
- Use workforce data and other information to identify trends, inform decisions, and strengthen HR processes and operations.
Faculty Support
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Law School's faculty administrative support function, including a team of nine faculty assistants, ensuring effective, responsive, and consistent support.
- Regularly assess faculty support needs and adapt services and resources in response to evolving needs, including those related to accessibility and accommodations.
- Facilitate effective communication among faculty, faculty assistants, and administrative units and ensure faculty assistants have the information, training, resources, and support
necessary to succeed.
- Work closely with the Registrar on planning and staffing for exam proctoring and related administrative support.
Academic and Special Events
- Provide senior leadership and oversight for academic and special events, working in close partnership with the Events Director and team responsible for day-to-day planning and execution, including Senior Day, the Law School's graduation program.
- Develop and implement a strategy for expanding the Law School's capacity to host conferences, academic programs, and other events.
Administrative Planning and Capacity
- Work with faculty and administrative leaders to develop administrative structures and support models for new programs and initiatives, including centers, institutes, or similar activities if and as they are established.
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop a strategy and administrative model for increasing support for faculty and programs seeking grants, sponsored funding, and other external funding opportunities, including support for applications and administration.
- Help build administrative capacity in other areas as the Law School's organizational and programmatic needs evolve.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience. Advanced degree strongly preferred.
- Significant administrative leadership experience in higher education, preferably in a complex, faculty-intensive academic environment.
- Prior administrative experience in a law school is preferred.
- Substantial experience with human resources and academic personnel administration, including interpreting and applying complex institutional policies. Experience working in unionized or collective bargaining environments is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex academic administrative operations across multiple functions and/or organizational units.
- Demonstrated experience leading faculty-facing administrative or academic service operations.
- Significant experience supervising and developing leaders and teams across multiple functions.
- Demonstrated track record of fostering a positive, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, build support for new approaches, and effectively implement new processes and ways of working.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex policies, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive and confidential matters.
- Strong record of managing complex, cross-functional projects and developing practical solutions to organizational and operational needs.
- Excellent leadership, communication, relationship-building, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and a range of stakeholders in a complex, faculty-driven academic environment.
- Experience with significant operational budgets, sponsored funding, or other complex academic fiscal administration is preferred.
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.
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.