Program Manager for Student Leadership

The-University-of-Michiga; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan's Michigan Housing, Residence Education, seeks a Program Manager for Student Leadership to develop and coordinate leadership programs that advance student learning across campus housing and Student Life. The role supports students and staff, strengthens leadership knowledge, relationships, and capacity for meaningful engagement.

Reporting to the Residence Education team, you will advise student organizations, collaborate with campus partners, plan strategic learning

Qualifications

• Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of full-time, progressive professional experience in a college/university housing and residential life setting or similarly applicable experience.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support Housing-sponsored student organizations and councils.
• Coordinate the annual student organization registration process and review constitutions/bylaws.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for student leadership development.
• Collaborate with campus partners to strengthen student leadership programs and resources.
• Represent Residence Education and Michigan Housing on campus committees and task forces.

Skills

Advising student organizations

Leadership development

Crisis management

Communication skills

Collaboration across departments

Education

Master's degree in Higher Education or related field

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.

Job Summary

Department Summary:

Michigan Housing (M Housing) is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. M Housing serves approximately 11,500 students; 9,100 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate and professional students and their families. Although first-year students are not required to live on campus; historically 96-98% of all new first-year students choose to live on campus. Currently, the M Housing portfolio consists of 19 residential facilities that include traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on north and central campuses in Ann Arbor. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are 9 dining halls and 9 retail operations embedded within the residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Beginning Fall 2024, M Housing partnered with other units and departments within Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 25 U-M students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In Fall 2026, five new residence halls housing 2,300 undergraduate students and a new 822-seat dining facility will open to continue M Housing's strong tradition of providing affordable housing options and services for U-M students. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, M Housing creates and sustains diverse learning-centered residential communities that ultimately enhance the residential experience.

Position Summary:

Residence Education's mission is to foster the academic, cultural, intellectual, personal and social development of students and to create a safe, inclusive and respectful community in which a student, and all members, can thrive.

The Program Manager for Student Leadership is responsible for developing and coordinating student leadership programs that further the goals that define Michigan Housing as an inclusive learning organization. The work focuses on advancing transformative student experiences by strengthening existing and initiating new opportunities that enhance student learning and development across Michigan Housing and Student Life. Supporting students and staff in developing leadership knowledge, skills, relationships, and capacity for meaningful engagement are central to this position.

Responsibilities*

35%Advising Support to Sponsored Student Organizations

• Serve as the primary advisor to Housing-sponsored student organizations including Residence Halls Association, K-Grams, and the Director of Housing Advisory Board, and provide direction and support to advisors of all Housing-sponsored student organizations including all councils.
• Identify student organization sponsorship and advising needs in consultation with the Center for Campus Involvement (CCI); facilitate throughout Housing an advising model to ensure a high level of accountability and appropriate hands‑on support, while recognizing and supporting increased self‑direction and leadership as student leaders demonstrate readiness.
• In partnership with CCI, create and implement ongoing training to develop advisor competency to enhance skills for all advisors and for all student group presidents, improving departmental practices.
• Coordinate the annual student organization registration process in partnership with the Center of CampusInvolvement, including a systematic review of the quality of constitutions and bylaws.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager for Diversity & Inclusion to leverage resources to strengthen the hall and multicultural council operations.
• Serve as the primary supervisor and advisor to the ResStaff Coordinator (RSC) student leaders. Provide ongoing guidance and development to this group of student leaders, and work in coordination with the Hall Directors who oversee the community‑based aspects of RSC work.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for student leadership development that guides intentional learning outcomes for students.
• Identify and champion departmental best practices that minimize risk and model integrity in financial stewardship across student organizations.
• Support and mentor students and staff in pursuing external and internal professional development opportunities including representing the University of Michigan by serving as the primary advisor to students in attendance at regional and national conferences.
• Initiate opportunities to engage students in their own leadership development and intercultural abilities using a broad range of delivery methods.

15%Inclusive Programmatic Initiatives

• Develop leadership opportunities and pathways for students in various involvement programs such as MLead Academy,First Year Experience and Residence Hall Councils.
• Create ongoing training for full time staff and student positions to enhance inclusive leadership development in the residential communities.
• Collaborate with student leaders to develop and facilitate leadership retreats that help to align the missions of the student organizations, Michigan Housing, and Student Life, including the annual Student Housing Leadership conference and Residence Hall Association officer retreats.

15%Collaborative Organizational and Departmental Leadership

• Participate in strategic planning and shorter term visioning processes including resource allocation and budgeting.
• Complete purchasing and reconciliation for Hall Councils and RHA, following university procedures and budget guidelines.
• Plan, develop, implement, and document student‑centered, developmental leadership, programming and engagement assessments and analyze related trends.
• Collaborate with campus and Student Life partners to develop and strengthen student leadership initiatives, programs, and resources.
• Represent Residence Education and Michigan Housing on campus committees and task forces related to student leadership.
• Manage and Maintain the Sessions database, including pulling and analyzing data for program assessment and strategic planning.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• A Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Educational Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of full‑time, progressive professional experience in a college or university housing and residential life setting or similarly applicable experience.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with advising student organizations, including student travel and conferences
• Proven ability to communicate and relate effectively with diverse students, staff and faculty.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, crisis management, and administrative skills.
• Exhibits strong interpersonal communication skills, both written and oral, in working with diverse populations of students and staff.
• Maintains open dialogue with students and staff and demonstrates the ability to nurture an atmosphere of collegiality, inclusiveness, shared responsibility, and collective accomplishment.
• Experience developing, facilitating, or assessing student leadership programs or initiatives.
• Experience collaborating across departments or organizational units to advance student learning and development.

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

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• Demonstrated ability to advise, develop, and train student leaders
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, apply critical thinking, and adapt in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with students, staff, faculty, and campus partners.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

Responsible for managing more than $25,000 in program and/or student organization budgets.

Working Conditions:

This position requires on‑site work.

Evening and weekend work is required periodically, including student travel, leadership retreats, conferences, and student organization events.

Physical Requirements:

May need to move packages of up to fifty pounds to and from various areas in the community, including shelving units, package storage locations, and mailrooms. The incumbent is required to travel around campus to engage with direct reports, campus partners and students.

Direct Reports:

The Program Manager advises student leaders

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by University Staff United, AFT Local 284, AFL‑CIO, which represents Employees 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.