Special Programs Manager

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Office of Enrollment Management is seeking a collaborative Special Programs Manager to oversee the University Laptop Program and support financial aid awarding for student athletes. You will be the first contact for students, families, and employers, ensuring excellent service and accurate processing.

Hybrid role with on-site and remote days; you will partner with OFA Support Services, Marketing, and academic units to optimize program operations and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of financial aid experience.
• Outstanding customer service and ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong collaboration and verbal/written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently.
• High level of organization and attention to detail; able to learn university policies.

Responsibilities

• Administer the University Laptop Program and coordinate distribution, returns, and repairs.
• Serve as the first contact for Federal Work-Study and student employment inquiries.
• Review and maintain Federal Work-Study records and reimbursements.
• Create reports on Federal Work-Study awards and aid packaging processes.
• Assist users with navigating the Student Employment website and troubleshoot issues.
• Support compliance and award processes for student-athletes; run weekly reports.
• Provide guidance to OFA staff on policies and system issues.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Teamwork

Organization

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Enrollment Connect

Student Employment website

Job description

Who We Are

The University of Michigan is a premier public research university with more than 53,488 students, including 35,358 undergraduates, and is firmly committed to serving the people of Michigan, and the world, through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic value. U-M is in high demand, with a record 115,957 undergraduate first-year and transfer applicants in fall 2025 and 9,711 incoming undergraduate students enrolling.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students' experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. The division collaborates with campus partners, faculty, and staff in support of the university's mission.

OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members and up to 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units - the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Job Summary

The Office of Financial Aid is looking for a collaborative professional to support the daily operations of the Special Programs unit. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Special Programs, the Special Programs Manager coordinates the University Laptop Program, performs student employment functions, and supports financial aid awarding processes for student athletes. You will be the first contact for students, families, and employers regarding the Federal Work-Study Program and the primary resource for the University Laptop Program. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, organizational and task-management abilities, and the capacity to collaborate with a diverse range of partners.

Responsibilities*

50% Administer the University Laptop Program

• Represent the University Laptop Program (ULP) and respond to inquiries from internal and external constituents, including University departments, prospective, admitted, and current students, and their families.
• Coordinate notifications to eligible students through Enrollment Connect in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) Support Services and Marketing and Communications teams.
• Engage with the University Tech Shop to coordinate laptop distribution, returns, and repairs.
• Partner with Risk Management to resolve cases involving lost, damaged, or stolen laptops.
• Collaborate with supervisors and communications staff to ensure program communications are accurate, current, and aligned with program needs; recommend and direct content updates.
• Produce and share program updates, data, and reports to academic units and other University partners.
• Compile and analyze student feedback collected through surveys and outreach to assess the ULP experience, support development and fundraising initiatives, and inform program reporting.
• Maintain program records and generate standard reports to monitor laptop inventory and student enrollment and eligibility status.
• Conduct regular program assessments and evaluations, identify trends, develop recommendations, and collaborate with OFA leadership to support continuous improvement.

45% Federal Work Study, Student Employment Administration and Athletic Aid Support

• Serve as the first point of contact for students, families, campus partners, and employers, responding to phone and email inquiries about Federal Work-Study and student employment.
• Share information about temporary employment opportunities and support students, families, and prospective employers in resolving general concerns across phone, email, and virtual channels.
• Review, document, and maintain Federal Work-Study records in coordination with off-campus partners to support accurate and timely reimbursements.
• Create and analyze reports related to Federal Work-Study awards and use, resolving financial aid packaging and human resources record issues within student aid and employment administration systems.
• Assist users with navigating the Student Employment website, troubleshoot access and functionality issues, and maintain basic website information, including user accounts and job postings.
• Support compliance and financial aid awarding processes for student-athletes by running weekly reports and queries and conducting appropriate follow-up.
• Serve as a resource to Office of Financial Aid staff on Federal Work-Study policies, procedures, and system-related issues.

5% Other responsibilities

• Participate in professional development and educational opportunities to gain and maintain relevant skills and knowledge base.
• Perform additional responsibilities within the Special Programs Unit as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum two years of financial aid experience.
• Outstanding customer service skills and experience handling confidential information.
• Strong collaboration, verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently.
• A high level of organization skills; a meticulous attention to detail; and the ability to produce accurate work.
• The ability to learn and interpret University policies.

Modes of Work

The Office of Enrollment Management requires a hybrid work arrangement of minimally three days on-site and two remote days. We require Thursdays as an on-site workday for all. 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

Benefits At The University Of 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 time off
• 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

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.