Managing Director, Poverty Solutions

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. The cover letter should be included in the same document as your resume and should specifically address your interest in this position and highlight related skills and experience.
• This position is administratively housed within the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. The Ford School is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, including flexible work arrangements. This role is generally expected to be in-person 2-3 days per week.

What You’ll Do

OVERVIEW

Poverty Solutions is looking for a Managing Director to work closely with the initiative’s faculty directors and leadership team to shape and advance its vision and strategy. As the Managing Director, you will lead day-to-day operations, research and program strategy, outreach efforts, and team management. You will help align the initiative’s work with our mission, stewarding resources, and ensuring effective execution across programs. You will oversee staff, guide strategic planning, support grant management and reporting, and contribute to the design and implementation of initiatives and events. You will report to the faculty directors.

Poverty Solutions is a university-wide presidential initiative at the University of Michigan, dedicated to partnering with communities and policymakers to find innovative, action-based approaches to preventing and alleviating poverty. We view poverty as the result of interlinked system’s housing, education, criminal justice, labor markets that fail to function as they should for people with low incomes. A systems approach puts the emphasis on structural, rather than individual, causes of poverty. Our work is grounded in a commitment to equity, recognizing that many of these systemic failures are rooted in long-standing racial and socioeconomic disparities. Our goal is to identify structural solutions that can positively impact the lives of many families through collaborative, community-driven research and projects and large-scale policy change.

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 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
• Paid parental leave

Responsibilities*

Administrative Management (40%)

• Oversee budgets, staffing plans, and forecasts; monitor expenditures and ensure alignment with program goals.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Vice Provost and Ford School Business Office on contracts/MOUs and reporting for operational and sponsored projects.
• Manage multiple research grant award programs.
• Draft grant proposals and quarterly sponsor reports.
• Maintain and update internal policies and procedures in accordance with Ford School and Provost guidelines.
• Identify funding opportunities and recommend program ideas aligned with potential sources.

Team Management (30%)

• Manage, direct and coach staff to support professional development and initiative-wide goals.
• Lead team meetings and internal activities.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Strategic Design & Operations (20%)

• Ensure alignment with the initiatives mission, goals, and budget.
• Develop transparent processes and procedures that support effective operations.
• Establish overarching organizational goals and clear performance metrics.
• Help the team prioritize strategic objectives.
• Advise the faculty director on the stewardship of sponsored research funds.

.Cross-Campus Collaboration (10%)

• Cultivate and manage relationships with campus partners to expand cross-unit engagement.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary opportunities with faculty, centers, students, and staff.
• Represent Poverty Solutions at university events, conferences, and national workshops.
• Support planning and execution of initiative-hosted seminars, conferences, and policy events.

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires travel within Southeast Michigan approximately once per quarter.

Required Qualifications*

• Masters degree in public policy or a related social science/professional field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of related experience with 5+ years managing complex programs and grants
• 5+ years leading staff teams
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience facilitating meetings or presentations.
• Experience in budget development and financial oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Ability to travel within Michigan for meetings with stakeholders and partners

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 .

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Source ⇲