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.

The University of Michigan Law School invites applications for the Director for Student Affairs in the Office of Student Life. This role serves as the primary advisor for law student leaders and law student organizations, providing expert counsel on issues relating to policy interpretation and compliance, organizational governance, leadership development, conflict resolution, and funding proposals. 

The Director for Student Affairs is also responsible for managing the administrative operations of the Office including the development and execution of cultural and social programs for students as well as the day-to-day management of program budgets. The Director is responsible for supervising the program coordinator and an administrative assistant who support the administrative operations for the Office.  

We seek candidates who are analytical, innovative, flexible, adept at teamwork and collaboration, and committed to student success. This role works on-campus and in-person. 

Michigan Law, one of the oldest law schools in the nation, was founded in 1859 and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence.  Michigan is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation, and enjoys international renown for its academic rigor, stunning physical surroundings, the faculty's preeminent scholarship, and an academic community noted for collegiality and warmth. Supported by remarkable facilities, preeminent faculty-scholars, and unparalleled architecture and physical environment, Michigan Law has a total of 21,800 alumni, 1,001 J.D. candidates, and 82 full-time faculty members, including 55 tenured and tenure-track, 27 clinical and legal practice, and 57 part-time faculty members.  In March, 2015 Michigan Law had a 97.4 percent employment rate for the class of 2014. Contributing to the close-knit law-school community, law students have a choice of 6 student-edited journals and more than 50 student organizations in which to participate.

Maintain expert working knowledge of legal and policy matters affecting students activities, student organizations, and student conduct, including free speech and campus expression policies, campus protest policies, university policies and regulations, professional responsibility standards, and Title IX requirements. This requires working collaboratively with student affairs offices throughout the university. 

Develop and implement plans to increase engagement with student organizations and student leaders. 

Provide individualized advising and support for student leaders to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and tools to successfully lead their organizations and operate effectively. This includes communicating university and Law School policies to student organizations as well as helping student leaders mediate conflicts within their organizations, hold elections, transition leadership roles, submit funding requests, and maintain sound fiscal decision-making.

Evaluate funding proposals submitted by student organizations and make award determinations in accordance with budget priorities and Law School policies.

Manage and supervise the administrative operations of the Office. This includes organizing and executing the logistics for larger events hosted by the Office, ensuring student resources (including digital) are accurately updated in a timely manner, coordinating student communication campaigns, and overseeing the processes required to timely respond to student and faculty inquiries.  

Directly supervise the team responsible for the administrative operations of the Office, assess the productivity and efficiency of the group, and promote the growth of the team individually and collectively.    

Provide data driven assessments of the student experience and evaluation of all Student Life programs to ensure continuous improvement.

In consultation with the Dean of Students, provide guidance and oversight to the Law School Student Senate to ensure compliance with university and Law School policies. Assist in developing new Law School policies as may be necessary. 

Collaborate to design workshops and programs necessary to support student organizations including, for example, the Student Leadership Summit and the Student Organization Fair.  

Facilitate collaboration between student organizations through resource sharing, joint programming, and partnership development. Identify emerging needs and concerns raised by student organizations and communicate those issues to appropriate partners within the Law School. 

Coordinate the Law School's first-year peer mentoring program including leadership selection and mentor training. Provide ongoing support throughout the academic year for peer mentors. 

Support other aspects of the Office of Student Life as it relates to student advising, wellness programming, hardship management, accommodations, programming, crisis management, communications, and individualized support for students, faculty, and staff.

• Graduate degree (JD preferred) plus 5-7 years experience in higher education student affairs, student advising, or other relevant field.   
• Demonstrated experience working with students, student leaders, and student organizations. This includes leadership development, individualized counseling, and crisis intervention.   
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple direct reports, preferably in a higher education student services office. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
• Ability to effectively interact and develop relationships with different populations including students, faculty, and staff.
• A strong commitment to student mentorship, student wellness, and student success. 
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support student activities. 
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information appropriately. 
• Empathy, a sense of humor, a drive for excellence, and an openness to innovation.

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.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.