Program Manager Strategic Partnerships

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How to Apply

To be considered, please submit a resume and a cover letter as a single document. In your cover letter, briefly describe your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with the position.

Who We Are

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a globally recognized leader in business education, committed to building a better world through business. Through powerful ideas, purpose-driven leaders, and meaningful impact, Ross empowers individuals and organizations to make a positive difference. Our community is guided by core values that emphasize innovation, continuous learning, and excellence. Together, we strive to develop leaders who drive change and create lasting impact across industries and communities. Learn more about Ross here.

Located at the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business, the Sanger Leadership Center serves as an important bridge between student learners and thought leaders in both research and practice. The Center runs 120+ leadership development sessions and has over 14,500 student interactions annually. Its mission is to accelerate leader development through bold ideas, transformative experiences, and inclusive communities.

For more information about the Sanger Leadership Center, please visit our website at https://sanger.umich.edu/

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

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 the work modes.

Additional Information

The salary offer range for this position is $64,700 to $79,900. Salary offers are determined based on several factors, including a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, along with internal equity considerations. It is not common for new hires to be placed at the top of the range.

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.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.