Job Description

As a member of the Executive Vice President/Provost's leadership team, the director of academic operations works in collaboration with the senior vice provost's and other members of the leadership team to design, implement, and evaluate complex initiatives and advise the Executive Vice President/Provost on internal and external matters important to the Academic Division. This position serves as a liaison between the Office of the Provost and other university offices and stakeholders by driving communication, collaboration, and alignment across the Academic Division, ensuring that administrative processes and practices are efficient and in compliance with university guidelines and policies. The incumbent demonstrates a high level of competency and resourcefulness to handle a variety of complex and often sensitive matters. Additionally, this position supervises and directs operations in the Office of the Provost, relieving the Executive Vice President/Provost of a wide variety of administrative details on an ongoing basis, completing assignments using self-initiative without detailed instruction.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.

Four years of experience in a complex organizational environment in a role that directly supports a chief executive or senior officer and their leadership team(s).

Experience managing complex projects.

Experience supervising others.

Excellent, interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and problem-solving skills.

Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, with strong attention to detail and follow through.

Demonstrated ability to accomplish administrative assignments and projects independently, to work well as part of a team, and to exercise judgement in setting priorities.

Proven self-starter, able to work effectively and diplomatically with faculty, staff, students, and community members under a variety of high-pressure circumstances.

Ability to develop, implement, and interpret policies and procedures and effectively communicate relevant information to a broad population.

Excellent technology skills, including mastery of office software.

Ability to represent the Executive Vice President/Provost and the Office, in a professional manner.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive issues with self-initiative.

Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree.

Experience working in a higher education environment.

Experience working with faculty and students.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for the management and operation of the office, including hiring and supervision.

Represents the Office of the Provost on various committees and at events and meetings as assigned.

Conducts research projects and develops reports; compiles data, synthesizes information, performs statistical analysis as needed, and formats and produces finished products.

Ensures the Executive Vice President/Provost is properly prepared for meetings and events, including researching and creating presentation material, reports, and speaking remarks.

Serves as the search coordinator for senior officer searches in the Academic Division.

Coordinates and reviews all Academic Division personnel transactions on behalf of the Executive Vice President/Provost and in concert with the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Resources.

Coordinates information within the division and in collaboration with the Office of the President for Board of Trustees meetings.

Develops and maintains a project plan for the implementation of the relevant elements of the university and divisional strategic plans in concert with the Executive Vice President/Provost and Provost's Advisory Council.

Manages and participates in matters of a highly sensitive nature.

Anticipates, interprets, prioritizes, coordinates, and disseminates information in and out of the Office of the Provost, consistent with the goals and standards of the Executive Vice President/Provost.

Hires, supervises, coaches, and evaluates the performance of the Administrative Assistant to the Provost's Office.

Initiates and composes correspondence, news articles, letters of congratulations, appreciation, and inquiry.

Prepares and/or organizes appropriate backup documents and/or other information for the Executive Vice President/Provost.

Reviews educational materials, highlighting pertinent information for the Executive Vice President/Provost.

Reviews departmental and other minutes for the Executive Vice President/Provost.

Organizes and attends the Provost's Advisory Council meetings and completes outreach and follow-up resulting from the meetings as necessary.

Develops and maintains efficient and effective processes and workflows for securing, documenting, and executing intra- and interdivision review and authority as required.

Identifies and initiates process improvements to support and enhance operations within the Office of the Provost and across the Academic Division.

Supports and assists the Executive Vice President/Provost with successfully organizing and facilitating committees and executive engagements, including setting complex agendas.

Maintains the website for the Office of the Provost.

Addresses or refers questions and concerns to appropriate parties.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others in our teams. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve leadership abilities and demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU, we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU's culture of excellence.

Message to Applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU's mission, vision, and leadership standards.



You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.



Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.



Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. Please review the

Leadership Standards

before applying for this position.



This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified.

For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Wednesday, November 12th.

Employee Group

Professional & Administrative -Salary

Staff Pay Level

Pay Range

$75,000 - $90,000 per year

Division

Academic Affairs

Department

Provost's Office

Position Status

Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status

Full-Time

FTE

1.0

Position Type

12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location

Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.



We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master's, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.



CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.



Central is home to 17 men's and women's Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.



CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It's part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state's largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.



Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions -- Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more -- are within easy reach of the city's central location in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.



CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

CMU Leadership Standards

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.



We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.



Please review the

Leadership Standards

before applying for this position.