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Director Academic Operations Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

As the Program Director of Nursing, you will serve as the driving force behind the academic excellence, strategic vision, and daily operations of the Nursing program within the Health Division. This ...

As the Program Director of Nursing, you will serve as the driving force behind the academic excellence, strategic vision, and daily operations of the Nursing program within the Health Division. This ...

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Director Academic Operations information

See Michigan salary details

$29.6K

$93.9K

$156.5K

How much do director academic operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director academic operations in Michigan is $93,854.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,800.00 and $118,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of academic operations?

A Director of Academic Operations typically requires strong leadership skills, experience in academic administration, and a relevant advanced degree such as a Master's or Doctorate in education or administration. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), institutional data analytics platforms, and compliance regulations is crucial. Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills set top candidates apart in this role. These competencies are vital to ensure efficient academic program delivery, regulatory compliance, and effective collaboration across departments.

What are the main challenges faced by a director of academic operations in balancing administrative tasks with academic goals?

A Director of Academic Operations often navigates the challenge of aligning administrative efficiencies with the institution’s academic mission. This role requires balancing resource management, compliance, and scheduling with supporting faculty and student needs. Effective Directors use strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate across departments, ensuring academic programs run smoothly while meeting institutional standards. Adapting to shifting priorities and regulatory changes is a frequent part of the job, making flexibility and proactive problem-solving essential.

What is the difference between Director Academic Operations vs Academic Program Manager?

AspectDirector Academic OperationsAcademic Program Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree; experience in education managementBachelor's or Master's degree; project management experience
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple departments, strategic planningManages specific academic programs, operational tasks
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, universities, online education providersColleges, universities, educational organizations
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in academic operationsManaging academic programs and day-to-day operations

The main difference is that the Director Academic Operations holds a higher-level leadership role overseeing multiple departments and strategic initiatives, while the Academic Program Manager focuses on managing specific programs and operational tasks within the academic environment.

What does a director of academic operations do?

A Director of Academic Operations is responsible for overseeing the administrative and logistical aspects of an educational institution's academic programs. This role typically involves managing course scheduling, faculty assignments, academic policies, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. They work closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to streamline processes and support student success. Directors of Academic Operations often use data-driven strategies to improve efficiency and align operations with the institution's academic goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Academic Operations jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Academic Operations jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Academic Operations jobs in Michigan? For Director Academic Operations jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Academic Operations jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Director Academic Operations jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Director Academic Operations jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Director Academic Operations job openings:

Director of Medical School Communications

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


University Of Michigan rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 145 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job Summary
The Director of Medical School Communications - Michigan Medicine, provides senior leadership, operational oversight and strategic direction for the communications function supporting the University of Michigan Medical School and related academic and research priorities within Michigan Medicine. This role leads the central medical school communications team and partners with shared services team members to align school-level communications with enterprise strategy. As the School's primary communications leader, the Director bridges central, matrixed, and embedded communications functions to ensure strategic alignment, institutional consistency and high-quality execution across the academic enterprise.
This position reports directly to the Michigan Medicine Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO) and maintains a dotted-line relationship to the Chief of Staff for the Medical School. The Director also works in close partnership with the Medical School Communications Community of Practice Program Director to ensure coordination across central and embedded communications models.
Responsibilities*
Strategic Leadership and Academic Mission Communications
  • Develop and lead integrated communications strategies and frameworks that advance the Medical School's academic missions and institutional priorities.
  • Provide strategic counsel to Medical School leadership on positioning, messaging, issues management and reputation.
  • Translate institutional priorities into actionable internal and external communications plans, campaigns and messaging.
  • Ensure alignment between Medical School priorities and Michigan Medicine enterprise communications strategy.

Leadership of the Central Medical School Communications Function
  • Provide day-to-day leadership and performance management for the central academic communications team.
  • Establish and refine workflows, service models and planning processes that support high-quality strategic execution based on the Medical School strategic plan priorities and in alignment with Michigan Medicine strategic priorities.
  • Oversee staffing, resource deployment and budget management for the Medical School's central communications function.
  • Set priorities for central support of dean's office, Medical School administration, research and education initiatives, including key performance metrics that illustrate the impact of communication efforts.

Enterprise Integration and Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as a lead representative for academic/medical school/research communications on the Department of Communications (DoC) leadership team.
  • Partner with DoC shared services leaders across marketing, public relations/social media, digital/web, internal/executive communications and creative services to develop and advance integrated strategies.
  • Lead cross-functional communications planning for academic initiatives and high-priority announcements that produce measurable outcomes.
  • Track outcomes metrics and share best practices with colleagues to foster overall improvements in the impact of communications efforts.

Partnership with Community of Practice Communications
  • Partner closely with the Medical School Communications Community of Practice Program Director on annual planning, message alignment, embedded communicator strategy and escalation of issues requiring coordinated central and unit-level execution.
  • Support a cohesive relationship between the central shared-services team and the embedded communicator community of practice.
  • Co-develop standards, tools and workflows and metrics that strengthen coordination across Medical School administrative units, departments, centers and institutes.

Required Qualifications*
  • 7 to 10 years of communications leadership experience in academic and/or health care setting.
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Proven experience advising leadership on communications strategies that drive understanding and alignment of enterprise vision, mission, and goals and development of metrics that illustrate communications impact and outcomes.
  • Ability to navigate large and complex environments, meet multiple stakeholder needs and lead through change.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, verbal and presentation skills.
  • Proven record of effective team management and consistent delivery of high-quality work with measurable outcomes.

Desired Qualifications*
  • Master's degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field.
  • 15+ years of communications leadership experience in academic and/or health care setting.
  • Experience directly leading teams with 20 people or more.

Preferred Leadership Attributes
  • Strategic thinking and judgment
  • Operational leadership and accountability.
  • Collaborative enterprise mindset and ability to manage through change.
  • Strong executive presence and communication skills.
  • Ability to lead through influence in a matrixed academic medical center environment.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits Can You Look Forward to?
  • Comprehensive benefits plan options, with excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • Generous 2-to-1 Employer Match on retirement savings and immediate vesting
  • Paid Time Off
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Health Savings Accounts / Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health and Wellness incentives
  • Work-Life Programs - to strengthen a workplace culture that supports personal and family life, including child care, elder care, lactation resources, and flexible work arrangements
  • Free access to LinkedIn Learning which offers more than 20,000 high quality, on-demand courses available at any time

More Reasons to GO BLUE!
  • University of Michigan Health named to nation's Honor Roll of Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-27 as one of nation's top 20 hospitals and highest-ranked hospital in Michigan
  • Rated among Top 25 Universities in the World by Times Higher Education for 2026
  • University of Michigan Health named one of the World's Best Hospitals in 2026, and #12 in the United States, by Newsweek and Statista
  • Michigan Medicine rated #15 Best Employer for New Grads 2026 by Forbes
  • University of Michigan was recognized in Crain's 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Michigan
  • University of Michigan was recognized as one of America's Best Employers For Company Culture 2025 by Forbes
  • Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children's was recognized as one of America's Best Children's Hospitals for 2025 by Newsweek and Statista
  • University of Michigan Health-Michigan Medicine earned Top 25 Environmental Excellence award from Practice Greenhealth for 2025 & 2026
  • University of Michigan rated #3 U.S. Public University for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report
  • Michigan Medicine named one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in metropolitan Detroit in 2024 by the National Association for Business Resources
  • Nationally Recognized for work/life effectiveness by WorldatWork

Modes of Work
This position has a hybrid structure and will work onsite 3 days a week, primarily at our North Campus Administrative Complex (NCAC) 2901 Hubbard Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
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 .
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Please include cover letter with resume when applying.
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.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
278034
Working Title
Director of Medical School Communications
Job Title
Communications Director
Work Location
Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Hybrid
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Exec Vp Med Affairs
Department
MM DoC - Admin
Posting Begin/End Date
8/07/2026 - 9/01/2026
Career Interest
Communications & Marketing

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About University of Michigan

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Michigan (U-M), based in Ann Arbor, MI, US, is one of America's most esteemed institutions in higher education. Established in 1817, it presides in the industry of education and research, providing a range of services including undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs. Complementing this is an extensive research activity that has significantly contributed to various fields, from healthcare to engineering, humanities to sports. Upholding its mission "to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values", U-M consistently ranks among the top universities globally, a testament to its tradition of excellence in learning and research, and a deep commitment to innovation and discovery.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Ann Arbor, MI, US

Year founded

1817

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