University of Michigan Health System Looking for Assistant Director, MSI Partnership Initiative at Michigan Full Time

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.

Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is seeking an MSI Partnership Initiative assistant director to help lead efforts to position U-M as a leader in advancing equity and excellence in faculty research collaborations with minority-serving institution (MSI) partners. The assistant director will report to the Vice President for Research – DEI Initiatives and will be responsible for managing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the MSI Partnership Initiative. Services and infrastructure provided through this initiative will serve researchers across all three campuses (Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn) and will be designed to provide matching and liaison support, training and community-building opportunities, and other capacity-strengthening experiences. Key initial responsibilities will include strategic planning, the development and implementation of organizational and administrative policies, the identification of short and long-range objectives, and the implementation of annual budgets.

Qualifications include a record of working with research faculty and administrators, proven leadership ability, experience with budget oversight, ability to successfully navigate complex organizational relationships, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This is a full-time, three (3) year, term-limited position and is eligible for U-M benefits. Before the end of the term limit, it could be considered for a term extension or for transition to an open-ended position.

Responsibilities*

Build sustainable infrastructure for equitable partnerships with MSIs.

Facilitate, expand, and sustain partnerships to support high-impact research collaborations.

Ensure alignment between OVPR values and work to reduce barriers and challenges to equitable partnerships.

Establish roles and connections among campus units & position this initiative as a central hub for research partnerships with scholars based at MSIs.

Establish and support a community of practice using data on existing partnerships.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

3-5 years of project and/or program management experience with a demonstrated ability to manage projects to deadlines.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with DEIA, including familiarity with the unique partnership considerations and histories of MSIs in the United States.

Demonstrated ability to navigate internal and external organizational cultural and political landscapes to address and reduce barriers/challenges to equitable partnerships.

Ability to steward and facilitate partnerships that account for the expertise and needs of potential partners and to ensure that partnerships thrive.

Capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of groups, while drawing upon these relationships to exchange ideas and resources, and build toward common and mutually beneficial goals.

Ability to create competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action.

Ability to both work independently and as a successful team lead.

Desired Qualifications*

Master’s degree and/or previous experience with academic research, or research administration.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with aspects of research development.

Knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management, techniques, and tools.

Work Locations

This is a hybrid position with work completed onsite and remote.

This position involves occasional travel to selected MSI partners (nationally) and potential travel to various locations on campus for meetings and events.

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.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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