Senior Director, Comprehensive Studies Program

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.

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual with a strong background in higher education; a commitment to access for all of the university's talented students; and deep experience in administrative leadership to serve as Senior Director of the Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP). This is a 100% academic/administrative leadership position that sits within LSA's Division of Undergraduate Education. The position reports to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Job Responsibilities Overview

As a Senior CSP Director you will lead and provide oversight for all aspects of CSP services and operations, which span a diverse liberal arts curriculum, holistic academic advising and academic support services, 2 vibrant living-learning programs, managing 23 full-time professional staff, 60 Lecturers' Employee Organization instructional staff, student recruitment, and oversight of a $4.8M annual budget. You will also maintain high-level collaborations with donors, alums, and institutional partners across campus, and serve as an LSA representative on campus-wide initiatives. You will be reporting to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education.

Job Responsibilities Detail:

Program Leadership, Administration and Supervision (60%)

You will provide visionary and strategic leadership for the comprehensive unit of staff, advisors, and faculty. You will have direct supervisory reports and convene regular meetings with your senior leadership team to collaborate strategically on plans for new initiatives and programmatic changes. You will work with the LSA Finance Budget Analysts and the unit's Associate Director of Operations on the unit's budget; you will have high-level oversight of the CSP curriculum, along with the hiring and training of Lecturers who are members of the Lecturers Employment Organization (LEO); and manage a collection of policies and procedures that span HR and administrative issues.

Collaborative Campus Partnerships (20%) 

CSP maintains myriad partnerships that must be preserved and deepened. You will meet with departmental chairs and faculty, with units across the College, especially Student Academic Affairs, the LSA Newnan Advising Center, and with the LSA Dean's Office. Beyond the College, these partnerships and collaborations extend to other schools and colleges on campus, with admissions and representatives from Athletics, Housing, and Student Life and other units in both the Provost's and the President's Offices. You will also join a set of dedicated leaders to work on facets of the University and College's Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Stewardship & Fundraising & Outreach (10%)

You will be the public face of CSP, representing the unit to partners, enhancing donor relationships, and public engagement through meaningful dialogue and presentations, on and off-campus at locations that will require travel.
Program Assessment & Research (10%)
CSP has moved into an era of evidence-based decision-making and general program assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You will foster this evidence-based culture for program improvements and strategic development, ensuring CSP's esteemed position in leading academic student support practices nationwide.

Program Assessment & Research (10%)

CSP has moved into an era of evidence-based decision-making and general program assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You will foster this evidence-based culture for program improvements and strategic development, ensuring CSP's esteemed position in leading academic student support practices nationwide.

• Advanced degree (Masters, or equivalent education and experience) with an academic background in higher education issues. 
• 5+ years of experience in student success program development, with a solid background in academic leadership and budget management.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism principles, along with student retention strategies with the ability to relate to multiple people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience and track record in working well and collaborating with faculty and students.
• Background in staff development and people management, including demonstrated ability to create a positive and inclusive environment for a diverse group of faculty and staff.
• Experience with the special opportunities and challenges encountered by different student populations, e.g., student athletes, transfer students, international students, first- generation students, students from rural locations
• Experience managing complex organizations through change.
• Familiarity with program evaluation/assessment experience.
• Experience and track record in positive messaging (oral and written), motivating, inspiring and engaging staff, faculty, students, and external partners (donors, and collaborators).

• Ph.D. or Ed.D.
• Knowledge of innovations and best practices in academic student success programs, advising, curricular development, and assessment.
• Investment in student success through a student-centered approach to teaching, advising, and holistic support.
• Experience managing substantial budgets (>$1million annually) in an academic setting.
• Direct experience working with bargained-for staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale program evaluation/assessment.
• Direct experience with donor stewardship and fundraising.
• Experience advocating for policies that affect the unit and its staff, faculty, and students.

As one of the world's 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 diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei . 

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision . 

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.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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