Academic Operations & Systems Manager

As the Academic Operations & Systems Manager, you will develop, coordinate, and continuously improve the shared operational infrastructure that enables multiple University of Michigan schools, colleges, and campuses to deliver degree programs at the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit (UMCI).

Working closely with UMCI leadership, academic units, and university partners, you will coordinate shared operational practices, streamline processes, and design solutions to complex administrative challenges. You will serve as a trusted partner to academic units, helping build and continuously improve the operational systems, workflows, and services that support degree programs at UMCI while leveraging technology, data, stakeholder feedback, and emerging tools to drive operational excellence and service innovation.

This role offers a unique opportunity to help build the operational foundation for a new model of education in Detroit that brings together programs and stakeholders from across the University of Michigan and beyond. Early priorities will focus on developing shared operational solutions, supporting program launches, and establishing effective systems and processes. As degree programs are introduced and operations mature, the role will increasingly focus on implementation, coordination, assessment, and continuous improvement.

Success in this role requires strong systems thinking, collaboration, project management, and a service-oriented approach to solving complex operational challenges in an evolving environment.

You will report to the Associate Director of Academic Program Development and Operations

The position is a hybrid role with a blend of remote and onsite responsibilities in Detroit, Michigan. The salary range is $68,000-$78,000., * Academic Operations and Delivery (45%)

• Coordinate shared academic operations that support UMCI degree programs delivered in Detroit, including scheduling, academic calendar alignment, classroom planning, shared space utilization, course logistics, registration timelines, and enrollment processes.
• Support course delivery across participating academic units by coordinating and aligning learning management systems (LMS), instructional technologies, course administration, and student access to course-related resources and services.
• Partner with academic units and administrative offices to troubleshoot and resolve operational, enrollment, registration, and other administrative or logistical issues affecting programs at UMCI.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused operational support to academic units and university partners, building trusted relationships and ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience for students, faculty, and staff.
• Academic Operations Strategy & Collaboration (30%)
• Partner with UMCI leadership, academic units, and university stakeholders to develop and continuously improve UMCI’s shared academic operations model, including the processes, workflows, systems, and governance practices that support degree programs delivered by multiple University of Michigan schools, colleges, campuses, and administrative units.
• Facilitate collaboration across cross-functional working groups to support coordinated decision-making and consistent operational practices.
• Identify operational needs, risks, and emerging challenges, and lead the development and implementation of solutions, documentation, training, and communications.
• Program Resource Management & Operational Readiness (15%)
• Develop and maintain documentation, operating procedures, knowledge resources, training materials, reports, dashboards, and other operational tools that support shared program administration.
• Support the planning, readiness, launch, and ongoing administration of UMCI degree programs.
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement (10%)
• Use data, operational metrics, and stakeholder feedback to evaluate operational effectiveness, inform decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement, and continuously enhance UMCI programs, processes, and services.
• Evaluate, pilot, and implement technology, automation, reporting tools, and AI-enabled solutions to improve operational efficiency, streamline administrative processes, and enhance decision-making and service delivery.

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant professional experience in higher education, including academic operations, enrollment management, registrar services, program administration, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, and improving operational processes, systems, or workflows within a complex organization.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and building collaborative relationships across stakeholder groups.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with experience translating complex operational challenges into sustainable processes and plans.
• Experience using data and feedback to develop reports, dashboards, documentation, or other operational tools to support program administration, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
• Experience working with academic enterprise systems such as student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), CRM platforms, scheduling systems, or other higher education technologies; or the ability to quickly learn new systems.

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 your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses