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Please note: 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 specifically address your interest in this position and outline particular skills and experience directly related to this position.  A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

Job Summary

The Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) department is seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative Student Services Manager to join our dynamic academic community. In this pivotal role, you will lead a dedicated team of three staff members working closely with you to support approximately 450 graduate and undergraduate students and 40 faculty instructors. 

You and your team will play an essential and hands-on role in the administration of the department's graduate programs (2 PhD, 3 MSE, and 3 MEng) and undergraduate programs (2 majors, 2 minors, and a certificate program). No two weeks are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to make a positive difference each day.

The successful candidate will serve as a knowledgeable point of contact and resource for prospective and current students, faculty, and staff, ensuring clear communication and providing timely, accurate information. You will take the lead on graduate student recruitment and admissions, program administration, records and enrollment management, advising and curriculum-related matters, and financial aid coordination for all our programs.

You'll also have an analytical edge, interpreting student data and trends to inform decision making, while addressing complex requests from the College, Rackham, employers, and other stakeholders. Managing sensitive or complex student issues is part of the role, and you'll do so with empathy and professionalism.

This position reports to the Department Administrator. If you are a collaborative leader who thrives in a vibrant academic community and values both strategic oversight and meaningful, hands-on engagement, we encourage you to apply.

Who We Are

CEE is part of the College of Engineering. Our staff mission is to collaborate, create and innovate alongside our talented faculty and students.  We strive to be the best possible resource to the CEE community by being proactive, forward-thinking and streamlined in our work.  We support the global impact of the CEE community with our commitment to teamwork, cooperation, and mutual success toward common goals.

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Responsibilities*

25%   Personnel Management & Supervision 

Hire, train, and evaluate staff; set and track goals; monitor professional development, overtime, office coverage, attendance, and timekeeping

Plan and direct work, set hours, and document monthly responsibilities for three full-time staff members

Appraise employee productivity and efficiency and recommend promotions or changes in status

Develop instructional documents for improved efficiencies and reference them in the monthly tracking log

Recommend professional development opportunities for team members

Address complaints and grievances; discipline employees as necessary

Ensure compliance with department, College, and University policies and procedures

25% Oversight of Grad Student Admissions & Recruiting

Manage PhD admissions timelines and update the CEE Grad Committee Webpage and Google Forms for PhD admissions nominations

Draft correspondence and admission letters for the Grad Committee Chair and all PhD admissions

Update UGRAB, follow up on partial applications, process admission decisions, and verify accuracy of letters

Lead the team to organize top-quality recruiting events for PhD and Master's students with the Grad Committee

Train and oversee the Student Services Assistant in responding to prospective students' admissions queries

Process admission decisions and related communications

Attend and assist with department events, such as orientations, social activities, homecoming luncheons, recruiting events, and graduation receptions

25% Instructional and Curriculum Programs Oversight

Oversee scheduling of classes, ABET materials, instructional support (textbooks, evaluations), exit surveys, degree audits, and student advising

Develop new opportunities to enrich student experiences, such as mentoring programs, honors programs, or professional workshops

Manage SURE/SROP programs, recruitment events, Dyer Loan program, and office assignments

Ensure administrative forms and letters are accurately completed and student records updated

20% Human Resources and Financial Aid 

Verify and oversee the accuracy of financial aid award offers for undergraduate and graduate students

Coordinate fellowship and student services budgets with the Unit Administrator and Research Administrators

Process GSRA and GSI appointments, background checks, and offer letters

Track Graduate Student funding and verify via HR reports

Manage internal controls and compliance for student services and financial aid

Develop and administer orientation sessions for Lecturers, GSI, Graders, and Instructional Aides

Compile student award nomination packets and ensure timely submissions

Advise students on leave of absence processes and resources

5% Leadership

Foster a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the team and department

Participate in staff development training, meetings, and committees, and facilitate training sessions when needed

Collaborate with peers in similar roles to share best practices, program assessments and metrics

Document and share policies to improve consistency, train staff, and ensure transparency

Serve as backup for staff during high-volume periods or absences

Manage a list of tasks to prioritize and plan projects with a sense of urgency

Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Minimum of 8 years of experience in student services administration, preferably with graduate programs

At least 3 years of supervisory experience, preferably with full-time regular staff

Administrative experience in an academic department, including instructional support, graduate student funding, and collaborating with Rackham

Demonstrated communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail

Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in changing environments.

Proficiency with technology applications, including web management, word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, collaborative file-sharing and data retrieval

Strong data analytics skills, including report generation and presentations

Commitment to customer service and ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues

Discretion, good judgment, initiative, and the ability to work independently and as a team

Familiarity with GEO contract compliance

Competency with M-Pathways or equivalent systems (e.g., PeopleSoft) for student administration functions

Desired Qualifications*

Competency using Business Objects to report from student and financial databases

Extensive knowledge of UM policies and procedures, especially regarding graduate students and Children on Campus 

Proficiency with UGRAB/SIC database systems

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 here.  The mode of work for this position is hybrid with the expectation that you will be in person at least 3 days per week.

Background Screening

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.

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.  We do not have a candidate in mind and want to fill the position quickly to aid our students and student services staff.  This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.