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.

Department Summary:

The University of Michigan's Michigan Recreation Department is dedicated to fostering a healthy lifestyle through engagement, leadership, and active participation. The department manages several programs, four indoor facilities, three outdoor field complexes, and an adventure-based education center. The department plays a vital role in campus life with a team of 36 full-time staff members and over 650 student employees. Established in 1913, it is recognized as one of the pioneering collegiate recreation programs. It was the first to open a facility specifically for student recreation, the Intramural Sports Building, which debuted in 1928. Michigan Recreation operates under the Division of Student Life, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Life for Health and Wellness.

Position Summary:

The Program Manager assists with the overall administration and leadership for Adventure Leadership programs within Michigan Recreation. This role is responsible for daily operations, long-term program development, and delivering high-quality, inclusive, and engaging adventure leadership experiences that support student learning, well-being, and community building. The Program Manager supervises staff, manages program budgets, ensures compliance with University policies and safety standards, and contributes to departmental and divisional initiatives. The position plays a critical role in furthering Michigan Recreation's mission to foster a healthy lifestyle through engagement, leadership, and active participation.

Program Oversight (55%):

• Lead the beginning-to-end event lifecycle, including the management of participant inquiry, program planning, program facilitation, program execution, and program debrief of Adventure Leadership programs (particularly Team programming), ensuring high-quality, inclusive offerings, schedules, events, and services that support departmental goals for student development, health, and well-being, and meet the diverse needs of the University of Michigan (U-M) community.
• Assist with the strategic management of Adventure Leadership programs by monitoring trends and best practices to ensure offerings remain relevant and engaging. Responsible for assessment and data analysis to inform recommendations, strategic planning, and decisions about programs and events.
• Support the daily operations of gear rental, including the Bike Hub, bicycle education, rentals, maintenance, and sustainable transportation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with departmental risk management and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to expand access, participation, and innovation within the program area.

Staff Oversight (25%):

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Adventure Leadership student and non-student staff, facilitating staff orientation and program training while providing ongoing evaluation and regular feedback to direct reports.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to student and non-student staff, ensuring the recruitment, hiring, and development of student programming staff align with departmental goals. Additionally, ensure that all direct reports represent the department positively in student and client programming.

Fiscal Oversight (10%):

• Ensure operational compliance with Department, Division, and University policies.
• Manage bi-weekly temporary staff payroll throughout the fiscal year, and monitor the University Work-Study Program.
• Purchase and maintain program inventory, following compliance with University Purchasing guidelines
• Review and process refunds based on refund policies.
• Track program statistics to assist with the overall analysis of M Recreation operations and the Adventure Leadership program.

Leadership (10%):  

• Provide leadership for departmental initiatives, including staff training, risk management, sustainability planning, and student development goals; develop and enforce programmatic and departmental policies; ensure the development of students in all areas of supervision
• Serve on committees or work teams to support the Department, Division, and University; collaborate with University colleagues to represent the Department.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in program management or curriculum development, design, and implementation (student employment, internships, or graduate assistantships may be considered).
• Experience developing, coordinating, or facilitating experiential education programs that include teambuilding and group development components.
• Experience as an outdoor or recreation guide, educator, manager, or facilitator, or professional experience in the outdoor industry.
• Demonstrated experience participating in and/or facilitating outdoor recreation activities such as biking, hiking, camping, and kayaking.
• First Aid/CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid certifications (or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire). If all certifications are not acquired within six (6) months, employment may be terminated.
• Possession of a current Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Challenge Course Practitioner (CCP) or Challenge Course Manager (CCM) certification, or the ability to obtain within 6 months. If certification is not acquired within six (6) months, employment may be terminated.

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.

Job Position Criteria:

• Demonstrated understanding and application of the principles of experiential learning, with the ability to facilitate group dynamics and apply strong leadership skills in program settings.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

• The position will assist with oversight, development, and administration of the Adventure Leadership program budgets of $225,000.

Working Conditions:

• Evening and weekend work responsibilities, as needed; be available to provide leadership during times when programs and facilities are operating; attend professional development opportunities as assigned; and perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform physical activities in various outdoor conditions. Ability to lead backpacking trips covering rough terrain with a 40-pound pack. Ability to move objects up to 40 pounds and work at heights.

Direct Reports:

• 25 - 40 student and non-student temporary employees falling within Adventure Leadership program job classifications.

Additional Information

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

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.