A cover letter is required for consideration for this position. In your cover letter, please provide examples of how your skills and experiences meet the requirements of this position. To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.  

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) is the world?s largest academic social science survey and research organization. With researchers from a broad range of academic disciplines, ISR serves as a national laboratory for the social sciences, advancing public understanding of human behavior through empirical research of extraordinary depth and breadth. 

Our scientific mission is threefold:

• To plan and conduct rigorous social science research
• To disseminate the findings of this research, and
• To train future generations of social scientists.

ISR serves as a telescope on society, bringing the attitudes and behavior of people into clearer focus. To learn more about ISR, please click here. 

The Strategic Initiative Manager will lead key strategic initiatives at ISR.  Their core responsibility will be to ensure smooth operation of existing initiates, including the Junior Professional Research Program and the Next Generation Initiative. This position will also work strategically with partners across ISR and the university to design and implement new initiatives where appropriate. 

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 any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off

A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements

Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

 Learn more about U-M benefits.

Junior Professional Researcher (JPR) Program Management (50%)

• Develop and implement the professional development and skill curriculum for JPRs 
• Design the curriculum
• Coordinate and facilitate workshop speakers/lectures, spaces, sign-ups, and promotion of seminars offered to all of ISR
• Manage the JPR Program calendar for the cohort
• Manage program budget in partnership with ISR Business Office 
• Work alongside key stakeholders at ISR to refine and advance the vision of the program:
• Provide responsive support to the needs of JPR participants (both JPRs, faculty and research administrators)
• Recruit faculty to host JPRs: working across ISR to recruit host programs and faculty mentors for the program
• Design and organize mentorship training for faculty hosts
• Recruit and hire JPR candidates. Lead the search, hiring and onboarding of JPRs
• Identify external funding opportunities for the JPR program
• Create and disseminating solicitation and stewardship materials for the program
• Plan and leading the JPR program orientation (and eventual graduation from program)
• Maintain a resource library for JPRs

Next Generation Initiative (NGI) Awards Program (25%): 

• Work in collaboration with the the Annual Giving and Stewardship Officer to manage our Next Generation Initiative Awards program
• Plan and facilitate events for the NGI (e.g. moderating flash presentations, soliciting feedback from NGI awardees)
• Assist Annual Giving and Stewardship Officer with solicitation materials and other support as needed

Campus Collaboration Program Management (15%): 

• Manage existing cross campus collaborations 
• Build partnerships across campus to identify potential growth areas for collaboration 

Project Management & Administrative Support (10%)

• Provide the development team with administrative support as needed for visit and event preparations or follow-up, recording interactions in DART, calendaring, and expense report reconciling.
• Represent the ISR Office of Development on behalf of the development team as needed
• Assist the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and Director of Development in developing prospect lists for faculty research projects.

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in program or project management, academic administration, higher education administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience with at least several of the following:
• Event or workshop planning and coordination
• Curriculum/program development and implementation
• Budget management
• Stakeholder liaison or partnership building
• Recruitment and onboarding processes
• Providing administrative support in an academic, research, or nonprofit setting

• Bachelors Degree
• Experience working in a research center, higher education institution, or similar knowledge-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience in mentorship, supervision, or team leadership roles.
• Direct management of professional development or training programs.
• Experience working with faculty, research administrators, and/or diverse academic audiences.
• Experience in fundraising support, donor stewardship, or grant writing/administration.
• Familiarity with University of Michigan systems (e.g., DART, M-Pathways) or similar university databases.
• Experience leading collaborative initiatives or cross-campus projects

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.