Job Description

Job Summary
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Program Manager, Strategic Partnerships leads the strategic engagement of alumni, donors, and external stakeholders. In this role, you will collaborate with the Sanger team, campus partners, and students to design and execute logistics for high-impact on- and off-campus events tailored to these key communities. You will lead or co-lead vital initiatives, including the Leadership Dialogues, Sanger Mentorship Program, Sanger Advisory Board, Leadership Crisis Challenge, and Collaboration Lab.

We are looking for a teammate who contributes to a positive work culture by building trusting partnerships, fostering a deep sense of belonging, and taking ownership of outcomes. We value continuous learning, active listening, and treating everyone with dignity and respect so that every individual feels valued and heard.

This hybrid position is based in Ann Arbor, MI, with an expectation of three days per week on-site. The role may require occasional domestic travel and work outside standard business hours, including early mornings, evenings, or weekends. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization throughout employment.

For additional details about the position, please review the full job description. If you have questions, contact [email protected].

Responsibilities*
Lead the strategy, planning, execution, and continuous improvement of a portfolio of leadership development programs and strategic partnerships, ensuring high-impact experiences for students and external stakeholders.
Develop and steward relationships with advisory board members, donors, corporate partners, alumni, faculty, and campus stakeholders to advance program goals and strengthen external engagement.
Direct the strategy and operations of the Sanger Advisory Board, serving as a trusted advisor on board engagement, communications, and long-term stewardship.
Design, facilitate, and present leadership development programming, delivering engaging learning experiences to student and alumni audiences throughout the academic year.
Collaborate across teams to develop marketing, communications, outreach, and reporting strategies that increase program visibility, participation, and impact.
Analyze program data, participant feedback, and engagement metrics to evaluate outcomes, inform strategic decisions, and drive continuous innovation.
Contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the Sanger Leadership Center through cross-functional planning, operational leadership, and development of center-wide initiatives and priorities.
Recruit, train, mentor, and provide day-to-day guidance to program coordinators and temporary staff, fostering a collaborative and learning-focused team environment.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in education, non-profit management, or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
3+ years of experience in donor or alumni relations within a higher education, university, or related setting.
Proven ability to engage and lead presentations confidently, professionally, and authentically with high-profile stakeholders, C-suite executives, board members, and high-net-worth donors.
Extensive experience designing curriculum and delivering workshops, academic presentations, and communications, with a proven track record of successfully engaging audiences ranging from college students to senior-level executives.
Strong background in end-to-end program, project, or large-scale event management-including planning, implementation, evaluation, budget monitoring, and managing multiple tight deadlines.
Experience in fiscal management and budget oversight, along with proficiency in Google Workspace, MS Office, and modern database, email, or CRM technologies.
Why Work at Michigan?
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 paid time off (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days, Maternity and Parental Leave)
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
Flexible work arrangements
Access to the onsite Fitness Center at Ross