The University of Michigan Arts Initiative seeks to illuminate and expand human connections, inspire collaborative creativity, and build a more just and joyful world through the arts. The Arts Initiative seeks a collaborative Assistant Program Manager to support strategic efforts, especially its Arts & Health efforts. The Assistant Program Manager will be a key member of a dynamic, collaborative team and will be responsible for the management and development of key programs in concert with campus and off-campus partners. They will refine, develop metrics and analytical tools to track the impact of Arts Initiative programs and help guide decision making. They will write and manage grant proposals seeking support for Arts Initiative programs. The Assistant Program Manager needs to be a creative, enthusiastic, and supportive team member dedicated to a significant role in delivering the Arts Initiative mission. They will report to the Executive Director.

The Assistant Program Manager has the following duties and responsibilities:

• Project Management (50%): Develop and implement Arts Initiative strategic projects in collaboration with campus and community partners that advance Arts Initiative goals, needs, and priorities. This includes coordinating planning meetings with colleagues and fostering ideas that deepen engagement, participation, and impact, with an emphasis on the full cycle of a project, including storytelling and communications about project impacts.
• Visiting Artists (15%): Manage visiting artist programs in collaboration with other units, schools, and colleges across campus. This includes but is not limited to - developing calls for artists, curating artists for projects, developing impactful residencies, coordinating artist involvement, and administrative support for travel and other logistics.
• Arts & Health Programming (30%): Manage the Arts Initiative's ArtsRx implementation in partnership with other campus units, including managing the ArtsRx working group, supporting research with University Health and Counseling Services, and developing online and in-person training materials for collaborating with professional staff and student workers involved with social prescribing.
• Other Duties (5%): Attend events and represent the Arts Initiative on campus and in the public. Contribute to a culture of collaborative excellence, professionalism, high proficiency, empathy, and humanism. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned and as necessary to achieve the objectives of the initiative.

Each of these areas of responsibility include the following: 

• Communications: Work with the Arts Initiative's Communications Team to provide marketing information and support compelling storytelling content about related programs.
• Assessment: Work with Arts Initiative team members and campus partners to develop and improve arts metrics data collection and assessment tools (e.g., student engagement in the arts or faculty research activity), including analysis and reporting, to guide decisions and enhance casemaking.
• Grantmaking: Identify grant opportunities and manage applications in support of Arts Initiative activities in collaboration with colleagues in the Office of University Development.
• Strategic Planning: Support the Executive Director and Associate Director to solve problems and develop longer-term tactics to realize Arts Initiative and University Vision 2034 goals. This includes gathering input and suggestions from partners and contributing to the creative thinking process of retreats, workshops, evaluation, impact reports, and/or strategic planning sessions.

The successful candidate will have a background in the arts in some combination of production/project management, academic programming, arts programming, event planning, curation, interdisciplinary research, program assessment, grant writing, and/or teaching.

• At least 3 years of experience in program management, including the ability to lead, design, organize, and manage programs
• At least 2 years of experience in arts and health programs
• Excellence collaborative skills in working productively and positively with others while being primarily responsible for program results
• Experience working with and curating artists for programs and supporting their work
• Related experience with arts organizations, universities, or in health care
• Candidates must have the ability to communicate effectively and work productively with all levels of personnel as well as with students and families 
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to exercise tact and diplomacy, and the ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive or confidential nature. Must have the ability to think clearly and speak effectively in difficult situations.
• Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and problem solve creatively
• A bachelor's degree

Candidates with any of the following qualifications will be especially competitive for this position.

• Master's degree in an arts or health discipline, or in combination, e.g., a master's in arts therapy or arts and health
• Experience in social prescribing programs
• Documented success in program evaluation
• Documented success in grant writing
• Research experience.

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.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M 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; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. 

Salary

This is a full-time position at the University of Michigan. Salary range is $60,000 - $70,000.

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 employment opportunity employer.