A cover letter, resume, writing sample, and graphic design sample are required for consideration.

Your cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Your writing sample must be on a history- or humanities-related topic.

Your graphic design sample must be a website, flyer, brochure, e-newsletter, poster, or a similar piece of marketing collateral or artistic work.

Please submit all materials as a combined PDF. If your samples are digital, please include the URLs within the PDF. If your file exceeds the maximum size for attachments, please email the PDF to history-chiefadmin@umich.edu.

The University of Michigan Department of History is regularly ranked among the worlds best. This is an exciting opportunity to join a department that is redefining what it means to "do" history at a top-ranked institution. Our reputation has been built upon our core teaching and research activities, and it grows through the meaningful histories we continue to explore and tell. Our latest public-facing initiatives provide additional opportunities for students and faculty to expand upon this work, exploring new directions for history in the public eye and service.

The Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies (EIHS) is the intellectual hub of the Department of History and one of the premier historical institutes in the country. Established in 2006 with a gift from Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg, it hosts a program series with lectures, symposia, workshops and other events featuring leading historians from around the world and within the university. The institutes faculty, graduate student, and postdoctoral fellows form the core of vigorous scholarly exchange that builds on the diversity of the department.

This job occupies a unique position, with roles in the History Department (managing public engagement efforts with faculty and students) and the EIHS (managing the institute itself). It plays a critical role in shaping the public perception of history as a discipline not only at U-M but also beyond. The ideal candidate will be able to quickly adapt, moving from creative duties like writing and graphic design to budgeting and attending to the day-to-day administration of the institute.

The person in this position will play a central, generative role in supporting our public engagement efforts. These efforts often involve collaborative teams of faculty and students working on public-facing projects designed to showcase the interpretative depth and creative range across our community and to make a difference in the wider world. In addition, this position works in close collaboration with the Advancement and Development offices in LSA and Rackham (on donor work and alumni connections). 

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:

Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.

Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.

The person in this role helps shape the public perception of the Department of History and plays a key part in a broader project: repositioning historical studies as a central component of public life. The job has three main components: 1) managing the departments strategic outreach and communications activities; 2) managing the EIHS for Historical Studies (EIHS); and 3) serving as lead staff on the departments strategic initiatives in public engagement. Reporting administratively to History's Chief Administrator and functionally to the EIHS faculty director, the faculty Director of Public Engagement, and other History administrative faculty, responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Program Management (35%)

History Department and EIHS public programs and initiatives, leading and supervising staff in implementing successful programs and events, and providing consultative support to faculty and staff in developing new or revising existing programs.

Manage fellowship and grant processes for EIHS. 

Serve as staff lead for History Department public engagement efforts, including consultation related to the development and design of physical and digital exhibitions, audio and video production, and the other public outreach endeavors.

Administration (20%)

Effectively manage the EIHS. Work closely with the Director, and provide necessary support to the Steering Committee, staff, fellows, and guests.

Work cooperatively with other units in staging co-sponsored events and initiatives.

Manage EIHS facilities.

Work closely with the faculty Public Engagement Director to maintain and develop outreach programs.

Supervise the History Departments Public Engagement and Events Coordinator (100% FTE), 4-5 student workers in the institute, and other staff as they are involved in events, public engagement, and marketing activities.

Supervise the Gerald Saxon Brown Digital Skills Fellow and assist with the production of Reverb Effect podcasts.

Outreach (25%)

Manage and enhance the public images of the History Department and EIHS, foregrounding their public engagement and career diversity initiatives. Provide strategic leadership for communications and development activities across all platforms (electronic, print, social, outside media, etc.), maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout the portfolios of both History and EIHS.

Innovate and lead efforts to boost the visibility of the History major and classes to undergraduates at large and increase visibility of department accomplishments and news among alumni. Support new and ongoing collaborative projects, working closely with faculty and graduate students in the design stages; helping them to access various resources across campus and integrate new software tools, and support our efforts to build new institutional partnerships and site agreements beyond UM.

Lead and supervise History Department outreach staff. 

Ensure the History Department and EIHS events (commencement activities, conferences, etc.) maintain high standards and enhance the reputation of the department and institute.

Serve as editor for all public-facing content, including the History Matters magazine. Share writing duties with other staff. Design marketing materials as necessary.

Budget and Financial Management (10%)

Manage EIHS accounts, including endowments and gifts, maintaining long-term budget forecasting to allow for future planning.

Manage public engagement funds for the department of History.

Report to the Department Chair, EIHS Director, and Chief Administrator at regular intervals.

Development (10%)

Working with the History Department Chair, Chief Administrator, and Eisenberg Director, maintain existing and implement new fundraising and stewardship strategies for the History Department and EIHS.

Work with LSA Advancement to coordinate fundraising and stewardship strategies, with emphasis on new individual and institutional donors.

Integrate development activities into the departments broader outreach strategy.

Excellent organization and time management

Excellent attention to detail

Clear, concise, and timely communication 

Dedication to customer service

Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people

Ability to act effectively both independently and as a member of a team

Bachelors degree in history or related subject

Experience with project management and public events planning

Excellent writing and editing skills 

Experience with website content management and social media

Ability to quickly learn and embrace new digital platforms

Masters degree in history or equivalent 

Experience writing about history or the humanities

Minimum of three years professional marketing/communications work or related experience

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google, Adobe Creative Cloud (particularly Adobe Photoshop and InDesign), Mailchimp, and Constant Contact, or other email marketing platforms

Basic knowledge of photography; demonstrated visual literacy

Familiarity with higher education

Commitment to the mission of a liberal arts education

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.

As one of the worlds great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

The salary range for this position is $56,000 to $70,000, please note that a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidates experience.

This is a hybrid position with both in-person and remote work (typically one work from home day per week).

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.