- A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. The cover letter should be included in the same document as your resume and should specifically address your interest in this position and highlight related skills and experience.
- The Ford School is committed to providing a positive and inclusive work environment. This includes providing employees with flexible work opportunities. This position will generally be expected to work in the office 4-5 days per week during the academic year, with additional seasonal flexibility.
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy is looking for a Strategic Advisor to the Dean to support the dean in managing short and long-range strategic goals, priorities, and initiatives. You will report directly to the dean and partner with the associate deans and the Ford School's senior staff leadership team. You will manage the administrative responsibilities of the dean's office and ensure that our office is a welcoming and professional environment for students, colleagues, and visitors.
The Ford School is one of the nation's foremost policy schools, housed at one of the world's great public universities. We inspire and prepare diverse leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. Our dedication to the public good is grounded in our core values and inseparable from our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including efforts aimed at addressing key policy issues relevant to racial justice and antiracism. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who will contribute to the diversity of our school. To learn more about the Ford School, read about us.
Project Management
- Partner with the dean and the leadership team to shape the school's strategic plans and help move priorities forward
- Identify areas within the dean's office or across the school for process improvement
Leadership
- Provide strategic advice to the dean
- Serve as a member of the school's leadership team and collaborate with peers and others to advance the School's strategic goals
- Manage the Dean's Office, which includes a team of four staff professionals, and ensure the office is a welcoming and professional environment for students, colleagues, and visitors
- Build productive, collaborative relationships with cross-campus partners to share and identify best practices and identify opportunities for cross-unit collaboration
Faculty Governance
- Support the dean in all matters related to faculty governance, including faculty and Executive Committee agenda management, bylaw/policy/procedure upkeep, and faculty leadership assignments
- Work with the Academic HR officer on faculty reviews and hiring
- Work with the dean, associate deans, and dean's assistant to deliver an excellent and productive annual faculty retreat
Executive Support
- Prepare executive level reports, proposals, presentations, briefings, meeting agendas, notes, and materials to ensure the dean is prepared for engagements and meetings. Complete follow-up research and action items
- In coordination with the dean's assistant, manage incoming email, draft responses, and oversee the dean's calendar.
- Oversee the dean's office administrative functions, and ensure the effective management of all annualized processes, including course scheduling, faculty reviews, faculty elections, senior staff reviews, etc.
- Working with the Office of Public Affairs and other leadership, help facilitate engagement with government officials and other public policy practitioners.
- Bachelor's degree
- 5+ years of experience managing multiple complex projects
- Experience working, collaborating, and partnering with all levels of constituents
- Demonstrated editing, proof-reading, and writing experience
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Master's degree in public policy, higher education administration, business administration, or related field
- Prior supervising experience
- Previous work experience in higher education
- Proven ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, diplomacy, confidentiality and a high level of discretion when dealing with highly sensitive information
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
