The University of Michigan has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a leading national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/associate-vice-president-for-business-services-student-life/. Nominations for this position can also be submitted through the same website.

Only applicants who also apply through Spelman Johnson will be considered for this position.  If you do not apply directly to their website, a representative from their team may reach out to you.

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.

Division/Department Summary:

Now operating in its third century, the University of Michigan (U-M) continues its mission to serve the public through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values. Currently, the main campus in Ann Arbor, comprised of 3,200 acres, has approximately 44,000 faculty and staff and an enrollment of 53,488 students, about a third of whom are in graduate and professional studies. U-M is consistently ranked among the top institutions of higher education globally with 102 graduate programs ranked in the top 10 nationally.

The Associate Vice President for Business Services will join the Student Life executive leadership team in advancing the mission and core work of the division, a team of 26 departments/units, 1600+ full time staff and 4,000+ student employees. Student life's mission is facilitating transformational student experiences by advancing student learning and development, fostering well-being, and cultivating an inclusive and equitable campus community.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Life, the Associate Vice President serves as a senior executive leader and chief financial officer for the division, overseeing financial, human resources, and technology functions that advance Student Life's mission at the University of Michigan. The AVP leads long-range financial planning, resource allocation, budget strategy, fiscal stewardship, and operational planning to ensure alignment with divisional and institutional priorities.

The AVP serves as a key partner to senior leaders, helping establish divisional goals, guide decision-making, and advance continuous improvement across Student Life. The AVP provides executive oversight for three core operational units (Student Life Budget and Finance, Human Resources, and Technology Solutions) each led by a Director, with a combined staff of approximately 80 employees. Through this leadership, the AVP promotes operational excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements. The role also includes communicating financial outlooks, operational priorities, and key performance data to support effective planning, informed decision-making, and the long-term sustainability of the division. Additionally, this role works in close collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Life Development as a trusted advisor and strategic partner. Through thoughtful, organization-wide leadership, the AVP strengthens Student Life's capacity to support student learning and a thriving campus environment.
 

Steward Resources and Fiscal Sustainability (30%)

• Oversee and guide the Student Life Budget & Finance Director in order to:
• Provide leadership for Student Life financial operations, budgeting, planning, and responsible use of university resources.
• Develop and oversee Student Life's annual budget in alignment with divisional and university priorities.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to support financial and people related decision-making.
• Allocate resources across Student Life departments, programs, services, and initiatives.
• Monitor financial performance and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Oversee financial reporting, accounting practices, audits, and compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Identify and address financial, operational, and compliance risks.
• Support multi million dollar capital projects planning for building of new facilities and renovation  priorities thru development of financial pro forma in collaboration with University Treasury. Ensure capital planning and debt service needs can be supported by Student Life Operations.
• Guide Student life's achievement of capital campaign and fundraising priorities working closely with leadership of University Development.

Strengthen Organizational Capacity and Effectiveness (20%)

• Oversee and guide the Student Life Human Resources Director in order to:
• Provide executive oversight for Student Life human resources.
• Oversee HR functions including but not limited to staffing, employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, compensation, and recruitment and retention of key staff and leadership roles
• Partner with Student Life leaders on organizational structure, staffing needs, and succession planning.
  relevant, and divisional values.
• Ensure HR practices align with university policies, applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements where relevant, and divisional values.
• Support leadership development and organizational improvement efforts across the division.

Advance Digital, Data, and Decision Support Capabilities (15%)

• Oversee and guide the Student Life Technology Solutions Director in order to:
• Provide executive oversight for Student Life technology services, data tools, and decision-support functions.
• Oversee technology strategy, systems,  3rd party technology vendor selection and project management sponsorship, infrastructure, digital services, and data resources.
• Guide technology planning to improve operations, service delivery, accessibility, compliance, and user experience.
• Support the use of data and business intelligence to inform planning, assessment, drive efficiencies and achieve and resource optimization.
• Promote responsible data governance, privacy, security, and access practices in coordination with university partners.
• Evaluate technology needs and recommend investments that support Student Life priorities, innovation in business delivery systems to enrich student experience.

Support Strategy, Planning, and Institutional Alignment (15%)

• Serve as a member of the Student Life senior leadership team and support division-wide planning and decision-making.
• Advise the Vice President for Student Life and senior leaders on financial, operational, human resources, and technology matters.
• Help translate divisional priorities into financial, staffing, technology, and operational plans.
• Represent Student Life in university-level meetings, committees, and planning efforts.
• Lead or support special projects assigned by the Vice President for Student Life.
• Prepare Vice President and the Office of the Provost with budget strategies related to Room and Board rates, various fees and long range planning to forecast assumptions and ensure affordability

Ensure Operational Stewardship and Accountability (10%)

• Oversee key administrative, operational, and compliance activities that support Student Life programs, services, and facilities.
• Collaborate with Student Life and university partners on facility planning, renovations, space use, and major operational initiatives.
• Support financial and operational planning for facilities, auxiliary operations, and service units.
• Oversee administrative support for grants, contracts, sponsorships, and other external funding arrangements.
• Ensure related activities comply with university policies and applicable regulations.
• Review processes and recommend improvements to strengthen service, efficiency, and accountability.

Cultivate Partnerships and Communicate Priorities (10%)

• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners to advance Student Life priorities.
• Maintain relationships with university leadership, Student Life staff, campus partners, students, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Communicate Student Life's financial strategy, budget priorities, resource needs, and fiscal health.
• Represent Student Life with university administration, campus partners, external organizations, and vendors.
• Partner with stakeholders to address financial, operational, HR, technology, and compliance issues.
• Provide timely updates and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
   

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Higher Education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant and progressively responsible leadership experience, typically 10 or more years, in finance, resource planning, administration, or operations within a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic oversight for multiple administrative or operational functions.
• Extensive knowledge of financial management, budgeting systems, forecasting, planning, analysis, reporting, compliance, risk management, and internal controls.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders and stakeholders to develop and implement strategic, financial, operational, and organizational plans.
• Demonstrated ability to advise on resource allocation and optimize resources across diverse units, programs, services, or initiatives.
• Proven ability to guide and develop high performing teams, including directors, managers, and professional staff.
• Experience supporting organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, talent development, leadership development, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Experience guiding complex projects or initiatives with significant financial, operational, organizational, or stakeholder implications.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-support skills.
   

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.

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

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively. 
   

 Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of annual operating and capital budgets; long-range financial planning; financial reporting; forecasting; internal controls; and fiscal compliance.

Divisional budget responsibility of $339m comprised both auxiliary and general fund budgets.

Working Conditions:

This position is primarily conducted in an office environment and requires regular use of a computer and occasional travel across the UM-Ann Arbor campus.

Direct Reports:

This position directly supervises the Director of Student Life Human Resources, the Director of Student Life Budget  and Finance, and the Chief Information Officer / Director of Student Life Technology Solutions. This position also serves as one of two supervisors for an Executive Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

Additional Information:

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

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

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

#studentlife
 

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.