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Chief Administrator, Economics

How to Apply

A cover letter addressing your specific interest in the position and outlining your skills and experience that directly relate to this position is required. Attach the cover letter to your resume.

What You'll Do

FINANCIAL RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide budgeting and expense projections; Establish controls to maintain budget oversight; Review business transactions for compliance with relevant policies and regulations and provide departmental authorization for these transactions; Manage and oversee all research (including external grant funding), operating (general fund), discretionary, designated, recharge and endowment funds including the implementation of fiscal policies and procedures; Monitor and maintain budget policies set forth by the College of LSA and Department leadership; Advise the Chair regarding optimal uses of financial resources for planning and management discussions. Working with the LSA services areas, prepare special budgets and financial reports with statistical analysis where required.

STUDENT ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide leadership in the unit's academic services area for undergraduate and graduate students and staff; work directly with the Chair to create student retention and success models; lead initiatives to assess the impact of student support and programming; lead the student services area to create, disseminate and maintain resources, policies and procedure for the unit and School; provide guidance and develop best practices.

HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSIBILITIES:

Facilitate the successful performance and continuous development of staff. Coordinate the work of staff, providing leadership in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with support for professional development; approve job descriptions for non-academic positions; review positions for appropriate classification and compensation level; provide oversight for procedures related to faculty recruitment, appointment, review, retention, and promotion. Work collaboratively with LSA Human Resources to develop job descriptions and review positions for appropriate classifications and rates. Assist and provide guidance to the Chair regarding UMOR research track hires, LEO lecturer appointments and renewals, sabbatical and other leaves, and emeritus status. Create and update Memos of Understanding to specify research, teaching, and service commitments for faculty with split appointments.

DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL, AND UNIVERSITY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Be familiar with UM policies and procedures and ensure awareness and compliance among faculty, staff, and students. Routinely monitor departmental activities to ensure variance is within the acceptable range and proactively address issues. Interpret and provide information related to the University, College, Department, administrators, and outside units with authority to make financial and operational commitments. Resolve operating problems, employee complaints, and grievances. Serve on University, College, and Department committees.

Partner with the Department Chair on long-range planning and strategic operations. Assist in developing policies and procedures, and interpret University and College policies and procedures for the faculty, staff, and students. Oversee all aspects of and provide leadership in student services areas, including GSI appointments, fellowships, graduate student recruiting, graduate student services, and undergraduate student services. Oversee development activities, including alumni relations, donor stewardship, and fundraising; manage, plan, and coordinate facility use and renovation. Actively participate in the LSA's Chief Administrators group; Serve as a liaison for administrative matters to the College of LSA.

Mission Statement

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.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan's Department of Economics is a large, world-class academic unit within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Units within the department include the Michigan Institute for Teaching and Research in Economics (MITRE), the Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics (RSQE), and the Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS). More information can be found on our website - www.lsa.umich.edu/econ .

The Department of Economics has 59 instructional faculty (tenure-track and lecturers), 12 administrative and student services staff, and 13 additional full-time staff supporting research programs, including RSQE and CJARS. Total annual operational volume is approximately $28 million. The Department has approximately 150 PhD students, 80 MAE students, and 1300 undergraduate majors.

Key skills and attributes required by all members of the Chief Administrator community include:

+ An individual who embraces the mission, vision, and values of LSA and the Department and Program, and the Chief Administrator's community leadership values

+ High-level administrative experience in an academic setting

+ Excellent change management skills to guide administrative and personnel transitions

+ Commitment to improving administrative processes and building efficiencies within and across departments and the College

+ Ability to engage in strategic planning to set and reach both short- and long-term goals

+ Commitment to establishing, maintaining, and sustaining an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, empowered, and able to succeed

+ Experience with financial management, budgeting, and expenditure projection

+ Experience in research budgeting and oversight

+ Experience and demonstrated success in leading and managing administrative, technical, and research staff.

+ A commitment to collaboration and partnership

+ Strong communication skills, with excellent people skills and experience building and leading teams

+ Experience with grants management, HR policies and procedures, and processes related to student funding and support.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; Five or more years of administrative work in an academic; Five or more years of experience supervising, mentoring, and professionally developing a variety of staff; strong financial management skills in budgeting and expense reporting; experience developing a highly interactive and collaborative team environment; demonstrated ability in managing staff, leadership through change, and working within a complex and collaborative administrative structure; excellent verbal and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal and leadership skills; strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to manage various aspects of a complex organization. Experience with management of externally funded sponsored research, and experience with undergraduate and graduate student programs. Experience in a research environment in conjunction with grant/contract proposal preparation. Ability to work proactively in a fast-paced, dynamic unit and the ability to work independently and interactively as part of a team. Excellent communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills are necessary. Strong organizational skills and competency and experience using technical and administrative tools to effectively manage a unit's business practices

Desired Qualifications*

Master's degree preferred.

Knowledge of UM policies and procedures strongly preferred.

Modes of Work

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 thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

Additional Information

As one of the world's 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 LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision .

Background Screening

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.

Application Deadline

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.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

270716

Working Title

Chief Administrator, Economics

Job Title

Business Administrator Lead

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Of Lsa

Department

LSA Economics

Posting Begin/End Date

11/14/2025 - 11/21/2025

Salary

$118,650.00 - $148,000.00

Career Interest

Administration