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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume.  The letter should address your specific interest in and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.  Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Job Summary

The Rackham Graduate School seeks a Director to lead the Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services (GSPCS) team. The Director of GSPCS provides strategic leadership for comprehensive support services at Rackham Graduate School, overseeing academic dispute resolution, academic integrity, and well-being initiatives. The Director administers academic dispute resolution processes, supports policy development, coordinates intervention in graduate student crises, and provides direct consultation on complex student and program concerns. The Director also serves as Rackham's academic integrity officer and partners with the Rackham Dean's Office to oversee investigations related to the professional standards for the Rackham graduate faculty. This position is responsible for setting the vision and operational priorities for the GSPCS team, supervising and developing a team of professional staff and ensuring effective collaboration with both Rackham leadership and campus partners. 

The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience in conflict resolution and higher education administration, with a strong capacity for navigating sensitive issues, building cross-campus relationships, and fostering supportive environments. The Director plays a pivotal role in advancing Rackham's mission by promoting student success, safeguarding academic integrity, and championing the well-being of a diverse graduate student community.

PLEASE NOTE: Rackham is currently offering hybrid work schedules to staff, requiring 2-3 days per week on-site with the remaining time being remote.

 

To learn more about the Rackham Graduate School visit https://rackham.umich.edu/

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care, that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

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 offA retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vestingMany choices for comprehensive health insuranceLife insuranceLong-term disability coverageFlexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expensesResponsibilities*

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

Leadership and Management: Provide strategic direction, long-term planning, and operational oversight for Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services. Perform personnel functions to maintain adequate staffing, enhance personnel productivity and achieve unit objectives within budget: Hire, train, and develop full-time professional staff. Supervise, evaluate and mentor team members. Conduct administrative and managerial duties including  annual reporting. Develop and manage office budget. Contribute actively on Rackham Leadership Team (RLT). Assist in the review and development of Rackham academic policies. Contribute to the collaborative leadership of the Graduate School through support of its strategic vision, mission and goals. Represent Rackham Graduate School on University-wide committees and task groups. Maintain an understanding of current ideas, trends, laws, regulations, guidelines and practices pertaining to all areas of responsibility through participation in professional organizations. 

 

Dispute Resolution, Consultation, and Referral: Advise and support graduate students and program leadership in determining options to help resolve conflicts and address academic concerns. Conduct and supervise grievance investigations in accordance with  the Rackham Academic Dispute Resolution policy and procedures. Identify, train and mentor school/college  faculty and staff who constitute the Rackham Resolution and Hearing Boards. Plan and direct alternative dispute resolution training, programming and services to prevent and address faculty-student conflicts. Administer the process for appeals of program dismissals. Educate students regarding their rights and responsibilities according to relevant Rackham, school/college and University policy. Maintain appropriate documentation for academic dispute resolution case files. Serve as a referral agent to other campus support resources, such as the University Ombudsperson, CAPS, SAPAC, ECRT, Academic Human Resources, and Dean of Students Office. Coordinate the Restorative Practices Peer facilitator group and relevant training for campus community around Listening Circles and restorative practices.

 

Academic Integrity Officer and Professional Standards Case Oversight: Assist the Dean of the Graduate School and other Dean's Office staff and leadership with reports and investigations related to the Professional Standards for the Rackham Graduate Faculty. This includes meeting with the reporter as part of the Preliminary Inquiry stage and maintaining records related to the process. Lead and manage the process for the Hearing Board for academic integrity matters, including the administration of investigations, staffing of the board, adjudication, policies, procedures, and education efforts pertaining to academic and professional integrity for Rackham graduate students. Lead case intake and management, conduct preliminary inquiry to determine merit of allegation and maintain record keeping for investigations. Oversee, manage and enforce disciplinary sanctions. Serve on the Admissions Conduct Review Committee. 

 

Student Wellbeing and Support/Crisis Management: In collaboration with other Rackham student services units, lead and facilitate student-centered efforts focused on multiple dimensions of well-being and emerging needs of the graduate student population; and partner with the Dean of Students Office and academic units to manage critical incidents, including ones that are time sensitive, involving Rackham graduate students. Provide direct consultation services to students with personal/social, mental health, physical health, academic, behavioral, or other difficulties. Assist graduate students experiencing financial challenges or significant financial hardship to locate and obtain emergency funding internal and external to Rackham Graduate School. Report information related to critical incidents to the Rackham Dean and Associate Deans as necessary. Coordinate appropriate, comprehensive and effective intervention and communication between multiple university offices, academic units, health care providers, and community resources to meet student health, academic, financial, housing, social, and other needs. Consult with academic program leadership and faculty about graduate student concerns. Provide programs and services to improve the culture and climate for marginalized student populations.

Required Qualifications*

Master's degree in a relevant field (such as social work, counseling, higher education, dispute resolution, law, or a related discipline), or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in conflict resolution, counseling, student affairs/services, or a related field, providing confidential, neutral, and informal guidance and support. Significant experience advising individuals, addressing complex concerns, and facilitating resolution options within large, multifaceted organizations, preferably in higher education. Demonstrated expertise interpreting, applying, and explaining academic policies, procedures, governance structures, and regulatory frameworks in a complex institutional context. Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships and formal/informal networks across diverse units and departments. Previous supervision of professional staff, including direct experience hiring, training, evaluating, and mentoring employees in a professional or academic setting. Substantial managerial and leadership experience, with demonstrated ability to build and manage effective teams, coordinate and motivate staff, manage office budget and resources, and innovate solutions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment, particularly regarding sensitive and confidential matters. Strong active listening and interpersonal skills. Excellent organizational and planning abilities, with a positive, flexible, service-oriented mindset; demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and manage a diverse workload with keen attention to detail and thoroughness. Demonstrated knowledge of relevant federal laws and regulations affecting students and student records, such as FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act, ADA, and related compliance requirements.

Desired Qualifications*

Extensive understanding of trends, best practices, and emerging issues in higher education, especially related to graduate education, student well-being, and dispute resolution. A minimum of three years supervising professional staff is preferred. Awareness of the academic mission and cultures of diverse schools, colleges, and academic units within a large research university. Demonstrated success collaborating and consulting with faculty, faculty administrators, and campus leadership on conflict resolution, academic policy, or student support matters.

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.  This job 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 employment opportunity employer.