Center Program and Operations Manager

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan’s Center for Land Surface Hazards (CLaSH) seeks a Program and Operations Manager to provide central administrative and programmatic support and lead Center communications. You will manage complex center operations, drive communications programs, and provide project management support for research, education, and community outreach.

You will interact with partners from more than 30 universities, government and non-profit agencies, and work with a dynamic,

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-3 years of administrative and/or project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex project milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools.
• Willingness to travel domestically to support workforce and outreach programs and participate in meetings and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Manage Center calendar, Google Drive, and team directory.
• Facilitate scheduling for the admin/leadership team, including monthly Major Activity meetings and project/event planning meetings.
• Support event planning and travel logistics for Center activities nationwide.
• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs, technical instructional manuals, and field training documentation for Center operations.
• Coordinate workforce training and learning programs (summer field school, internships, workshops, and multi-institution student/postdoc cohort activities).
• Design and maintain systems for tracking, archiving, and reporting participant data; support external evaluator survey logistics.
• Serve as primary point of contact between the student/postdoc cohort and mentors/collaborators across partner organizations.
• Develop and execute Center communications across website, social media, and newsletters, writing and distributing updates, curating digital content, and maintaining website design.
• Lead external communications and promotional materials, including email blasts, marketing collateral, and promotional materials inventory.
• Represent CLaSH at workforce training and outreach events nationwide, including scientific and education meetings and conferences.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Organization

Travel readiness

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Mission Statement

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.

Job Summary

The Center for Land Surface Hazards program at the University of Michigan, Department of Earth and Environmental Science is looking for a Program and Operations Manager to provide central administrative and programmatic support and lead Center communications. This vital role manages complex daily center operations, drives implementation of communication programs and provides project management support for various Center activities involving research, education, and community outreach. The Program and Operations Manager will interact with a nation-wide range of Center members and community partners from more than 30 universities, government and non-profit agencies. This position will support a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of geoscientists and engineers focused on building a novel scientific framework to improve hazard forecasting, develop educational programs and enhance community resilience nationwide. The Center for Land Surface Hazards is currently funded for 5 years at $15M (2025-2030), with the possibility of renewal. This is a one-year appointment, renewable annually for the duration of the award and potentially beyond pending renewal funding, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued grant funding.

Responsibilities*

Administrative (30%)

• Manage Center calendar, Google Drive, and team directory
• Facilitate scheduling for the admin/leadership team, including monthly Major Activity meetings and project/event planning meetings
• Support event planning and travel logistics for Center activities nationwide
• Develop, update, and maintain SOPs, technical instructional manuals, and field training documentation for Center operations

Program Management (40%)

• Coordinate workforce training and learning programs summer field school, internships, workshops, and multi-institution student/postdoc cohort activities
• Design and maintain systems for tracking, archiving, and reporting participant data; support external evaluator survey logistics
• Serve as primary point of contact between the student/postdoc cohort and mentors/collaborators across partner organizations
• Develop and execute Center communications across website, social media, and newsletters, writing and distributing updates, curating digital content, and maintaining website design
• Lead external communications and promotional materials, including email blasts, marketing collateral, and promotional materials inventory
• Represent CLaSH at workforce training and outreach events nationwide, including scientific and education meetings and conferences

Required Qualifications*

Education:

Administrative and Project Management Experience:

• Minimum 1-3 years of administrative and/or project management experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex project milestones, deliverables, and timelines
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools
• Willingness to travel domestically to support workforce and outreach programs and participate in meetings and conferences.

Communications & Documentation:

• Familiarity with social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky) and tools for web, print, or audio-visual content
• Experience communicating complex or technical information to both technical and general audiences
• Ability to produce clear, concise, and accurate documentation, reports, and summaries, including editing technical materials

Desired Qualifications*

The following would strengthen an application but are not required:

• Exposure to earth/environmental science, geotechnical engineering, hazard science, or related research methods, gained through coursework, research, or work experience
• Experience in higher education, or with administrative, financial, or grant-management systems at a university or large research organization (UM systems experience is a plus)
• Experience teaching, mentoring, or advising undergraduate or graduate students
• Hands-on experience managing organizational social media, website content, or other digital communications
• Experience with workforce training or public outreach program design

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 .

This position has a priority to take place in-person. Hybrid/ remote may be considered for highly qualified candidates.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences 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.

CLaSH is not able to sponsor applicants for work authorization within the United States.

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 checksare 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 maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening 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.