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 outline your interest and relevant experience. For accommodations or questions about the position, contact University of Michigan Talent Acquisition at talent.acquisition@umich.edu.

Job Summary

As the Associate Director of Strategic Programs for the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit (UMCI), you will lead the conception, development, and launch of new academic offerings as part of a highly collaborative, fast-paced team. Reporting to the Faculty Director, this role drives new offerings from idea to rollout by coordinating across academic and administrative units and building consensus around opportunities.

You will represent new and developing programs to internal and external audiences at events and meetings, contribute to regular program communications, maintain documentation and institutional records of development activities, and supervise or coordinate the work of staff supporting program development as assigned. The role requires an iterative approach to developing ideas, testing assumptions, and adding precision as opportunities advance.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, skilled project manager, and consummate diplomat who can set direction, solve complex problems, communicate clearly, and build consensus across a complex, multi-unit university environment.

This position is based in Detroit, Michigan and requires regular onsite presence. The salary range is $110,000 to $120,000.

Responsibilities*

Develop Undergraduate Educational Offerings and Other Strategic Initiatives - 45%

• Lead the end-to-end development of new undergraduate degree programs and revenue-generating academic initiatives including ideation of new concepts, academic structure, business planning, stakeholder engagement, and launch readiness.
• Define academic models, curricular frameworks, and experiential learning components, ensuring alignment with market demand, employer expectations, and Detroit's economic priorities.
• Create an internal process to explore and test the viability of experimental credit-bearing academic offerings at the undergraduate level.
• Build partnerships with academic units as needed to design programs that are interdisciplinary, future-focused, and mission-aligned through proactive research and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as the institutional lead for Detroit-based credit-bearing program development, shaping offerings that meet UMCI's goals and contribute to academic unit revenue growth.

Develop Graduate Degree Offerings - 35%

• Partner with the Faculty Director, Associate Director of Academic Program Development, and school and faculty leaders to explore, vet, and support the development of one or two potential interdisciplinary graduate degree offerings per year at UMCI, informed by academic units and industry partners.
• Work closely with the Faculty Director and Associate Director of Academic Program Development to provide a high level of service to academic units.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement - 10%

• Partner with faculty, program leadership, and academic units to shape curriculum, structure, and requirements for new offerings.
• Coordinate across campus partners including admissions, finance, marketing, the registrar, and central academic affairs to align the operational elements of program launch.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement - 10%

• Identify and resolve issues that arise during program development across curriculum, staffing, budget, and logistics.
• Design and implement program evaluation strategies to assess resource utilization, quality, impact, enrollment success, and long-term sustainability. Use evaluation outcomes to inform future initiatives.
• Develop and track quantitative indicators of program health and launch success.
• Conduct and synthesize market scans, labor market analysis, competitor benchmarking, and business-case analyses to assess program viability and strategic differentiation.
• Advise UMCI leadership and academic partners on program adjustments, sunset strategies, or growth opportunities based on performance and external trends.
• Remain current on trends in undergraduate education, hybrid/residential delivery models, and industry-informed curriculum design.
• Expand and supervise a team of support staff for new initiatives as programming expands.
  

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree in higher education administration, a relevant academic discipline, or a related area of study or professional practice such as business strategy or consulting
• Five or more years of experience in strategic planning, project management, entrepreneurship, or new initiative development
• Experience supervising staff or leading the work of others
• Experience developing and launching new programs or initiatives
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects, building partnerships, or serving as a liaison across multiple stakeholder groups
• Experience developing and executing work plans, schedules, and budgets

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, including dental and vision
• Family leave
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

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.

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.

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.

280404

Associate Director of Strategic Programs

Acad &/Or Res Prgm Ofcr Inter

Ann Arbor Campus

Hybrid

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

Um Ctr Innov Detroit

UM Ctr Innovation in Detroit

7/20/2026 - 8/03/2026

$110,000.00 - $118,000.00

Administration