ACADEMIC PROGRAM MANAGER
Apply Now
How to Apply
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.
Who We Are
You can learn more about the Helen Zell Writers' Program at http://lsa.umich.edu/writers . Our two-year, fully funded MFA Program for fiction authors and poets is one of the top programs of its kind in the nation.
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.
Job Summary
This position serves as a senior manager in the Helen Zell Writers' Program. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader who can partner with the Helen Zell Writers' Program staff and director on a complex schedule of programmatic events. The primary responsibilities of this position include: management of the Zell Visiting Writers Series; the post-graduate Zell Fellowship program; coordination of editor and agent visits; financial management; management of our admissions process; daily oversight of the program including student concerns, donor hosting, and planning events and social gatherings.
Responsibilities*
Job duties include but are not limited to the following:
Zell Visiting Writers Series (25%)
Invite visiting writers to campus in consultation with MFA faculty.
Manage ten three-day author visits in a professional, inclusive, and detail-oriented manner.
Coordinate honoraria, contracts, itineraries, expense processing, hosting and travel arrangements, and all logistical details for each author's visit.
Develop an overall ZVWS program budget in consultation with the Graduate Program Manager and the MFA Director.
Hire & supervise student assistants and meet with them weekly over the course of the academic year to attend and record each event as well as to carry out other ZVWS tasks.
Work with our graphic designer to create promotional materials for ZVWS and ensure the series is properly advertised via newsletter and social media.
Program Administration (25%)
Facilitate smooth programmatic operations and management processes.
Plan and co-facilitate student cohort meetings alongside the MFA Director and Graduate Program Manager.
Manage alumni outreach and collect post-MFA job placement and career data.
Draft official program communications and reports in partnership with colleagues.
Respond to student, staff and faculty inquiries related to the MFA graduate program.
Help plan and lead MFA orientation for new students.
Follow up with students at the end of each year for feedback on programming.
Maintain and manage a complex calendar for program events.
Management of the Zell Year Fellowship (15%)
Facilitate monthly cohort meetings for Zell Fellows.
Coordinate reading group assignments and dates for Zell Fellows.
Agent and Editor Visits (15%)
Manage editor and agent visits, both virtual and in-person.
Coordinate honorariums, contracts, itineraries, expense processing, hosting and travel arrangements, and all logistical details.
Admissions and Recruitment (5%)
Manage MFA admissions process including hiring, honoraria, and scheduling.
Meet with prospective MFA students.
Manage MFA admissions data, set meetings, move applications forward from round to round.
Help plan and lead welcome events for prospective students.
Marketing and Outreach (5%)
Design and send weekly e-newsletters to MFA students, alumni, and faculty with details on all upcoming Helen Zell Writers' Program events.
Work collaboratively with university and department partners to advance the Zell Visiting Writers Series.
Manage the MFA Events Calendar.
Financial Management (5%)
Develop an annual HZWP programming budget in consultation with the Student Services Manager and the MFA Director.
Monitor budgets against spending.
Process honoraria, reimbursements, short code charges, and P-Card expenditures.
Planning of Annual Events and Social Gathering (5%)
Coordinate Helen Zell Writers' Program community social events. This includes Labor Day Lunch (September), the Winter Party (December), the Welcome Week Reception for Admitted Students (March), and the End-of-Year Reception (April).
Provide support to the administrative assistant in planning the Welcome Week for Admitted Students (March).
Coordinate Helen Zell Writers' Program sponsorship of the annual AWP conference and arrange the Zell Writers' Program reception at the conference.
Provide support and guidance to student leaders of the Webster Reading Series (for second-year MFA students) and Edwards Reading Series (for first-year MFA students).
Coordinate visits by the Helen Zell Writers' Program's primary donor, Helen Zell.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and education
Minimum of 3 years of program administration work experience, ideally in an academic department, or equivalent combination of creative writing education and work experience
Ability to work with a large and diverse population of faculty, staff and students
The proven ability to manage projects from creation to successful completion with minimal supervision
Meticulous and detail-oriented organizational skills
Clear, timely, and effective oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Commitment to customer service
Demonstrated initiative to gather information, analyze data, and problem-solve, both independently and as a part of a team
Discretion and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
Excellent technical skills, the ability to quickly learn new technologies, and advanced knowledge of Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Forms, etc.)
Desired Qualifications*
Experience in, and significant knowledge of the literary world
Work experience within the University of Michigan
Graduate degree in the Humanities
Previous experience in event planning and university program administration
Website management experience
Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (MSWord, Excel, PPT, etc.)
Experience using MailChimp or similar platforms
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
The salary range for this position is $61,000 to $76,300. Please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.
As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences 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 .
Union Affiliation
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
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 any time 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
278556
Working Title
ACADEMIC PROGRAM MANAGER
Job Title
ACADEMIC PROGRAM MANAGER
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 English Language & Lit.
Posting Begin/End Date
6/07/2026 - 6/21/2026
Salary
$61,000.00 - $76,300.00
Career Interest
University Staff United (USU)
Apply Now
