Dir, Staff & Command Programs

Eastern Michigan University; Ypsilanti, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern Michigan University seeks a Director of Staff and Command Programs to lead the Staff and Command initiatives within the College of Arts and Sciences. The role requires directing administrative operations, expanding programs, and building partnerships to support student success.

The director will oversee budgets, develop curricula, pursue grants and fundraising, and coordinate with departments and community organizations to ensure a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• Three years of work experience in strategic planning, public policy, community development, or police/fire leadership.
• Experience in building external partnerships with public, government, and nonprofit sectors.
• Five years in project management, conference/event planning, curriculum, writing, contract development, and admin management, preferably in academia.
• Experience developing enrollment pipelines and advocacy for university initiatives.
• Knowledge of police and fire service operations and culture.
• Strong oral and written communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Proven ability to implement quality improvements and deliver excellent customer service in fast-paced settings.
• Knowledge of accounting and financial principles and business administration.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise budgets, proposals, status reports, and financial statements for Staff and Command activities.
• Plan and manage a departmental budget and resources in line with university policy.
• Expand Staff and Command through revenue models or grants, and pursue federal/state grants with faculty and administrators.
• Develop curriculum for new learning opportunities for students in the programs.
• Prepare grant and gift applications and collaborate with the Foundation on fundraising campaigns.
• Initiate and manage community/university programs based on directives and market analysis.
• Develop the Staff and Command strategic plan and support CAS in related initiatives.
• Oversee operations and vendor relations, and coordinate with EMU academic departments and programs.

Skills

Policy development

Project management

Communication skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Title: Dir, Staff & Command Programs

Employee Classification: AP - Administrative Professional

Pay Grade: AP 05

Division: College of Arts and Sciences

Subdivision: School of Staff and Command

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

The Director, Staff and Command Programs directs specific programs for Staff and Command across multiple locations within in the College of Arts and Sciences. The director manages all administrative and operational activities in support of this operation, ensures student success, manages public safety community partnerships, and explores its possible national and global expansion.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the preparation of budgets, proposals, status reports, and financial statements related to Staff and Command activities.
• Plan and tightly manage a departmental budget and resources efficiently, ensuring consistency with university policy.
• Expand Staff and Command at EMU, including identifying and developing revenue models and/or grant resources for Staff and Command projects and initiatives. Work with faculty members and administrators on federal, state and other grants for funding Staff and Command activities.
• Develop curriculum for new learning opportunities for students in the proposed programs.
• Construct grant and gift applications relevant to assigned projects, and collaborate with the Foundation to format and execute fundraising campaigns.
• Initiate and manage new community/university-based programs based on institutional directives, regional data, and market analysis.
• Develop the Staff and Command strategic plan, and support CAS in other business/community-based initiatives or research.
• Oversee daily and long-term operations of Staff and Command outreach which includes development of market analysis, vendor relations including contract management, and engagement and outreach with EMU academic departments and programs.
• Direct and manage operations of Staff and Command which include the coordination among all offices and systems involved in the program, and the management of advisory board membership and meetings with local community organizations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with academic and administrative units within the University.
• Ensure a positive, diverse, and inclusive learning environment. Seek out and collaborate with staff, faculty and alumni in Staff and Command. Act as a campus-wide liaison for relations outside the university, and serve as liaison for various organizations, local, regional committees, and districts in SE Michigan and beyond.
• Conduct administrative duties as needed including managing other personnel and supervising their professional activities. Supervise professional staff and student assistants, and manage a balanced department budget consistent with university policy. Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff to deliver classes for the Staff and Command programs.
• Ensure the success of graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the Fire and Police Staff and Command Programs through professional mentoring and advising.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of research methodology and data gathering for determining policy and program change, as well as related policy or program implementation, typically acquired through the completion of a related master's degree is required.
• A minimum of three years of documented work experience in one or more of the following areas: strategic planning, public policy, community development, or Police/Fire leadership, is required.
• Documented proficiency with external partnerships/collaborations (e.g. business, public districts, government and non-profit) is required.
• A minimum of five years of experience in project management, conference/event planning, curriculum, writing, contract development, and administrative and office management experience, preferably within an academic unit or environment, is required.
• Documented experience building a pipeline for college enrollment and assisting students in advocating for initiatives important to the university.
• In-depth knowledge of the operation and culture of the police and fire‑fighting communities is required.
• Outstanding oral and written communication, leadership, and collaboration skills are required.
• Demonstrated evidence of problem‑solving, conflict management, and interpersonal skills is required.
• Demonstrated evidence of implementing quality improvements and providing excellent customer service in a fast‑paced environment is required.
• Knowledge of accounting and financial principles, and business administration is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree in Educational Leadership, Public Administration, Public Policy, Business, Non‑profit Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Previous experience working with grant funded programs, including grant writing experience, is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in higher education is preferred.

Special Instructions

Appointment Percentage

100%