Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary

Job Summary The Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives (PMSI) manages Wolverine Pathways (WP) Grand Rapids site (currently serving ~25 scholars) and will serve as the primary liaison for sites that are designated as part of Wolverine Pathways' expansion efforts, beginning with the fielding of a site in Saginaw (first class of 20-25 scholars to be admitted in fall 2027). PMSI also assists with executing programming for WP's southeast region, serving as the Associate Director's administrative support for fielding select events and opportunities and supporting the professional development of undergraduates who serve as near-peer mentors for WP  managing remote sites, the PMSI's responsibilities entail sustaining robust collaborative relations with school partners;

cultivating material and community resources to enable and improve program execution; managing student recruitment and retention efforts; coordinating the content and curriculum for site-specific online courses, residential academic summer camps, and at-site in-person learning opportunities; designing and implementing at-site annual events; serving as the primary advisor for early remote sites (i.e., Grand Rapids and Saginaw); overseeing, mediating, and supplementing the advising of future remote scholars who exceed advising capacity;

and executing assessments (formative and summative) to support continuous improvement.

The PMSI also represents WP in routine collaborations with the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) and Intend to Attend (I2A) to sustain programming at remote sites and to support and evaluate the progress of expansion efforts.

WP seeks a self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills and the capacity to engage and collaborate with varied age-cohorts, audiences and constituencies.

The ability to attend to detail, plan with clear logic and timetables, and engage in big-picture thinking are also essential, as is the ability to coordinate and supervise the work of others.

With time, experience, and knowledge of WP programming and supervision, PMSI may transition from functional to administrative supervision of the Alumni Relations Fellow and undergraduate staff/near peer mentors central to their administration of duties.

WP is a hybrid work environment with required in-person days weekly, for annual events, Saturday programming, and summer enrichment.

Administrative Oversight, Planning, & Management 55% - 65%
Remote Site Management Sustain and nurture relations with school leaders, counselors, and liaisons to ensure the effective execution of WP programming

Develop and execute student recruitment initiatives in collaboration with school and community partners

Manage site admissions and design and implement strategies to retain scholars

Manage dis-enrollment and withdrawal processes

Coordinate summer curricular and co-curricular offerings for remote-specific programming and educational opportunities, and recruit and prepare instructors, community partners, and WP staff to execute this programming

Design and manage annual site-specific orientation and graduation ceremonies

Conduct formative and summative assessments to support continuous improvement

Cultivate community, alumni, and campus partners (including I2A) to help secure resources (e.g., funding, donations, swag) and opportunities (e.g., internships; professional development workshops; supplemental residential and virtual educational opportunities) that would enhance WP programming and scholar engagement

Expansion Co-Coordination As primary liaison for WP's expansion efforts, will participate in or represent WP at meetings organized to enable the effective collaboration of on-campus partners (e.g., I2A, CEO,…