Provide a cover letter and resume addressing your interest in this position and outlining
your relevant skills and experience.
In the cover letter please include the following:
- Your interest in the position and your experience aligns with the responsibilities
- Description of how you have lead teams
The Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan 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 is home to 83 tenure-track faculty, 29 lecturers, 181 Ph.D. students and about 1,400 undergraduate majors across two areas of study (Psychology & Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience).
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.
The Department of Psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), is seeking an experienced and highly qualified Director of Student Services for the undergraduate and graduate programs to lead our Student Services Office. The person in this position will serve as a key member of the Psychology Leadership Team working closely with the Department Chair, the Associate Chairs for Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, nine Ph.D. program Area Chairs, and Chief Administrator to implement the strategic vision and mission of the department as it relates to student academic programs.
The Director of Student Services occupies a critical role within the Psychology Department, working collaboratively with leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to promote student recruitment and enrollment, enhance the quality of student learning, wellness, and engagement. The Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for activities related to academic, administrative and student services across all degree programs. These activities include recruitment, admissions, student funding, operational budgets, financial aid, academic advising, records and registration, academic standards, curricular/co- curricular learning activities, and student support services. We seek a proven leader with exceptional interpersonal, communication, and management skills with demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of services that foster enrollment, and the personal, academic, and professional development necessary for a varied community of students.
The person in this position will manage a team of eight (8) full-time student services professionals, directly supervising 3 staff, and will receive direct supervision from the Chief Administrator.
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT (65%)
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 8 student services professionals. Directly supervising two Graduate Program Coordinators and an Undergraduate Program Manager. Provide backup support as needed for direct reports. Foster open communication, accountability, and professional growth.
- Collaborate with the Chair, Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Program Area Chairs, and Chief Administrator on strategy, policies, and student initiatives.
- Advise senior leaders on student experience, trends, and emerging opportunities.
- Lead administrative operations for undergraduate and graduate academic programs, supervising staff and ensuring effective delivery of academic services, admissions, enrollment, student records, financial aid, recruiting, and placement functions across undergraduate, master's, Ph.D., and joint Ph.D. programs.
- Interpret LSA and U-M academic policies and offer expert guidance to faculty and students throughout their implementation.
- Coordinate monthly meetings for the Student Academic Affairs Committee.
- Oversee the hiring process for GSIs and GSRAs.
- Manage the hiring process for lecturers in consultation with the Associate Chair for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.
- Manage human resources matters for staff, students, and lecturers.
- Guide faculty and students to appropriate campus resources when student health issues arise.
- Attend Rackham and LSA meetings as appropriate.
STUDENT FUNDING AND OPERATIONAL BUDGET (20%)
- Manage a multi-million dollar budget for graduate student support, ensuring timely and accurate processing of student funds each term.
- Complete financial forecasting and reporting for all funds related to student services.
- Manage all department graduate fellowship and research funds, including gift, endowment, general/College/Rackham funds, and external funding in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and Chief Administrator.
- Manage undergraduate gifts and research funds in consultation with the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies and Chief Administrator.
- Manage the student recruitment budget.
- Oversee the annual funding reports for Rackham.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM INITIATIVES AND EVENT PLANNING (15%)
- Supervise staff who manage the planning, organizing, and implementing a variety of student events including recruitment activities, new student orientation, graduate student professional development and social events, department commencement, and other events in support of the graduate and undergraduate programs.
- Implement the use of technology to create efficiencies and enhance the delivery of student affairs initiatives, services, activities, and programs
- Encourage faculty involvement in student out-of-class programs and research projects that enhance student learning outcomes
- Conduct research on the student experience in the department that includes student satisfaction surveys, enrollment trends, and post-graduation employment/career outcomes.
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in higher education student services.
- Demonstrated history of fostering and leading a variety of communities/teams.
- Demonstrated success in interpersonal relations, collaboration, reasoning, and exercising sound judgment.
- Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and manage high-performing teams and collaborate across academic units.
- Demonstrated success in leading organizational change initiatives, including formulating strategic plans, implementing programs, and evaluating their effectiveness.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and social media trends and their application to student affairs programs, services, and communication strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to handle crises effectively and to solve problems proactively and creatively.
- Proficiency in financial forecasting, program budgeting, and reporting.
- High level of proficiency with spreadsheets and database software applications.
- Event and program planning experience.
- Ability to thrive independently and as part of a collaborative, positive, and hard-working team.
- Proven ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities concurrently, delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Enthusiasm and energy for working on behalf of students and their career interests.
- Professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to outstanding customer service.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills including verbal, writing, and listening skills.
- Ability to set expectations and achieve results while contributing to the harmony of the team.
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.
The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $115,000, please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.
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 LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision
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.
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.
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.
