Mentor Engagement Associate

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Retirement plan with two-for-one match

Health insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

Onsite Fitness Center

Job summary

The Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business seeks an enthusiastic, relationship-driven professional to launch and lead ZLI’s mentorship network, a new initiative designed to connect University of Michigan students with experienced founders, investors, executives, and innovation leaders.

This role will play a central role in building and growing this mentorship community by recruiting mentors, engaging students, coordinating mentor matches, managing

Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in program management, relationship management, recruiting, sales, customer success, or related fields.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Launch, manage, and grow ZLI’s mentorship network.
• Develop workshops, training, and resources for mentoring relationships.
• Maintain databases of mentors and entrepreneurship resources.
• Manage mentor onboarding, communications, and program logistics.
• Establish goals, timelines, and success metrics.
• Gather feedback and implement program improvements.
• Recruit founders, investors, executives, and leaders to mentor UM students.
• Conduct outreach via networks, events, referrals, email, and LinkedIn.
• Cultivate mentor relationships through regular communication.
• Expand an active pipeline of prospective mentors.
• Build partnerships with UM entities and ecosystem partners.
• Represent ZLI and identify student engagement opportunities.
• Connect students with mentors, funding, programs, and resources.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Organization

Project management

Office tools

MS Office / Google Workspace

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

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 Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business seeks an enthusiastic, relationship-driven professional to launch and lead ZLI’s mentorship network, a new initiative designed to connect University of Michigan students with experienced founders, investors, executives, and innovation leaders.

This role will play a central role in building and growing this mentorship community by recruiting mentors, engaging students, coordinating mentor matches, managing program operations, and cultivating a vibrant network of entrepreneurial leaders. This role is ideal for an early-career professional who enjoys meeting new people, building relationships, and creating meaningful experiences. Working closely with Zell Lurie Institute leadership, this role will help establish mentorship as a signature component of the University's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This is a three-year, term-limited position funded through philanthropic support.

This hybrid position is based in Ann Arbor, MI, with an expectation of three days per week on-site. The role may require occasional domestic travel and work outside standard business hours and a weekly presence in Detroit. 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*

Program Management (50%)

• Launch, manage, and grow ZLI’s mentorship network.
• Develop workshops, training, and resources that prepare students to build and leverage mentoring relationships.
• Maintain searchable databases of mentors and entrepreneurship resources, including investors, accelerators, funding opportunities, and startup programs.
• Manage mentor onboarding, engagement communications, program logistics, budgets, and administrative processes.
• Establish program goals, timelines, annual work plans, and success metrics.
• Gather participant feedback and implement program improvements.

Mentor Recruitment (25%)

• Recruit University of Michigan-affiliated founders, investors, executives, alumni, and innovation leaders to serve as mentors.
• Conduct proactive outreach through professional networks, events, referrals, email, and LinkedIn.
• Cultivate mentor relationships through regular communication and thoughtful stewardship.
• Maintain and expand an active pipeline of prospective mentors.

Network Development (25%)

• Build partnerships with entrepreneurship centers, academic units, accelerators, incubators, and innovation hubs at U-M and peer institutions.
• Represent ZLI within Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem and identify opportunities for student engagement and collaboration.
• Expand mentor and resource networks through research, networking, and relationship-building.
• Connect students with mentors, funding, programs, and other resources aligned with their venture stage and needs.

Required Qualifications*

• One or more years of experience in program management, relationship management, recruiting, sales, customer success, community engagement, higher education, nonprofit organizations, or a related field. Recent graduates with exceptional internship, leadership, or volunteer experience are encouraged to apply.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

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

Salary Information:

The salary offer range for this position is $53,500 to $66,100. 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.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

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.