Managing Director

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business seeks a Program Manager to lead the AI Business Futures Initiative in Ann Arbor. The role coordinates senior leadership, faculty, staff and partners to advance a strategic AI program with a human-centered, ethical approach.

The hybrid position requires three days on-site weekly; travel may be needed. A Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years coordinating complex programs, with AI/business transformation experience, are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required across business, technology, higher education, public policy, communications, organizational leadership, information science, or related field.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience coordinating complex projects.
• Experience at the intersection of AI and business transformation, business education, or workforce development.
• Familiarity with responsible AI considerations including ethics, privacy, security, accessibility, transparency, IP, and human oversight.
• Experience developing impact reports, dashboards, executive briefings, publications, events, or expert communications.
• Proven ability to influence, facilitate, and partner across diverse stakeholders in a matrixed organization.
• Experience developing or monitoring budgets and tracking funding, commitments and expenditures.
• Familiarity with navigating organizational roles, decision-making authority, confidentiality, and escalation.
• Proficiency with productivity, collaboration, presentation, budgeting, reporting, and project-management tools.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Coordination and Communication of Vision (30%)—define and communicate the Initiative's priorities and AI focus; craft messages for faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
• Develop a plan to position Ross as a leader in AI and business among prospective students, recruiters, and peer schools.
• Facilitate planning, maintain a roadmap, and identify connections, gaps, and opportunities across the Initiative.
• Monitor AI and workforce developments and prepare leadership briefings and recommendations.
• Initiative Coordination and Facilitation (30%)—coordinate activities, convene stakeholders, share information, and track progress.
• Connect Ross programs, centers, and external collaborators to promote collaboration.
• Develop new ideas through a formal review process and assess proposals with experts.
• Communications, Visibility, and Reporting (10%)—coordinate communications about the Initiative's impact and outcomes.
• Prepare accessible stories and evidence of contributions; work with communications for events, publications, and funding awards.
• Financial Tracking and Resource Coordination (10%)—track budgets and funding, prepare forecasts, and support budget development.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Productivity tools

Presentation tools

Budgeting tools

Job description

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 address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a globally recognized leader in business education, committed to building a better world through business. Through powerful ideas, purpose-driven leaders, and meaningful impact, Ross empowers individuals and organizations to make a positive difference. Our community is guided by core values that emphasize innovation, continuous learning, and excellence. Together, we strive to develop leaders who drive change and create lasting impact across industries and communities. Learn more about Ross here .

Job Summary

The Managing Director will coordinate the AI Business Futures Initiative, working with Ross leadership, faculty, staff, and program partners to grow its vision and connect activities across strategic pillars. Leading through partnership and influence, the Managing Director will facilitate planning, align stakeholders and resources, prioritize opportunities, track progress, encourage AI adoption, and communicate the Initiative's accomplishments. The Managing Director will work with faculty and unit leaders to develop and deliver individual programs, providing coordination needed to promote the Initiative.

This hybrid position is based in Ann Arbor, MI, with an expectation of three days per week on‑site. The role may require occasional travel and work outside of standard business hours. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization throughout employment.

For additional details about the position, please review the full job description . If you have questions, contact [e-mail].

Responsibilities*

Strategic Coordination and Communication of Vision (30%)

• Partner with the Chief of Staff and Ross leadership to define and communicate the Initiative's vision, priorities, and commitment to productive, ethical, responsible, and human-centered AI.
• Translate priorities into clear messages and materials for faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
• Develop a plan to position Ross as a leader in AI and business among prospective students, recruiters, and peer business schools.
• Facilitate annual and multiyear planning; maintain a roadmap of current and proposed activities; and identify connections, gaps, dependencies, and opportunities across the Initiative.
• Monitor developments in AI, business, higher education, and workforce transformation; share relevant insights; and prepare briefings and recommendations for leadership.

Initiative Coordination and Facilitation (30%)

• Coordinate Initiative activities and convene faculty leaders, staff partners, project teams, advisory groups, and external collaborators.
• Establish processes to share information, coordinate timelines, document decisions, identify needs, and track progress.
• Connect Ross programs, centers, institutes, administrative units, and other U-M schools and colleges to support collaboration.
• Connect companies, executives, alumni, donors, technology providers, government entities, and community organizations with relevant faculty and programs.

Develop New Ideas (20%)

• Establish a clear process for receiving and reviewing proposed activities; help sponsors define goals, audiences, resource needs, expected outcomes, and strategic fit.
• Assess proposals with appropriate academic, technical, operational, financial, and subject‑matter experts, considering potential impact, feasibility, sustainability, scalability, and responsible AI, security, privacy, accessibility, and reputational factors.
• Present assessments and recommendations to the Chief of Staff, Ross leadership, faculty committees, or other decision‑makers, and support small pilots or exploratory activities.

Communications, Visibility, and Reporting (10%)

• Coordinate communications that explain the Initiative's vision, activities, accomplishments, and impact to internal and external audiences.
• Gather updates from faculty, project leaders, program offices, centers, and partners; develop accessible stories and evidence of the Initiative's contributions.
• Partner with Ross communications professionals to coordinate accurate communications for events, announcements, publications, partnerships, and funding awards in keeping with school and University standards.

Financial Tracking and Resource Coordination (10%)

• Coordinate with Ross finance, advancement, academic units, and project owners to track Initiative budgets, expenditures, and funding.
• Prepare financial reports, forecasts, and resource summaries for the Chief of Staff and Ross leadership.
• Help project owners develop preliminary budgets and identify potential funding sources.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in business, technology, higher education, public policy, communications, organizational leadership, information science, or a related field.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience, including coordinating complex projects.
• Experience at the intersection of AI and business transformation, business education, or workforce development.
• Familiarity with responsible AI considerations, including ethics, privacy, security, accessibility, transparency, intellectual property, and human oversight.
• Experience developing impact reports, dashboards, executive briefings, publications, events, or expert communications.
• Experienced in achieving results through influence, facilitation, and partnership across diverse stakeholders in a matrixed or decentralized organization.
• Experience developing or monitoring budgets and tracking funding, commitments, and expenditures.
• Familiarity In navigating organizational roles, decision‑making authority, confidentiality, and escalation.
• Proficiency with productivity, collaboration, presentation, budgeting, reporting, and project‑management tools.

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 paid time off (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days, Maternity and Parental Leave)
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Access to the onsite Fitness Center at Ross

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 .

Additional Information

The salary offer range for this position is $100,000 to $135,000. Salary offers are determined based on several factors, including a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, along with internal equity considerations. It is not common for new hires to be offered the top of the range.

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.

Job Opening ID

284845

Working Title

Job Title

Program Manager

Work Location

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

School Bus Admin

Department

Posting Begin/End Date

10/23/2026 - 11/06/2026

$100,000.00 - $135,000.00