Secretary for Academic Governance / Administrative Business Manager/SWhatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Email App
Job no: Work type: Support Staff
Pay Grade: 14
Major Administrative Unit / College: Faculty And Academic Staff Affairs
Department: Secretary For Academic Governance 10048760
Sub Area: APSA- Pro Supervisory
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Administrative/Business/Professional, Education/Training, Professional Supervisory- APSA, Full Time (90-100%), Union
Working/Functional TitleSecretary for Academic Governance
Position SummaryThe Secretary for Academic Governance is a position formally established in the Bylaws for Academic Governance. The Secretary for Academic Governance plays a key role in faculty and academic staff governance by facilitating and coordinating the work of its committees, liaising with the Provost, President, and the Secretary to the Board of Trustees on governance matters, and by generally ensuring that its processes run effectively in a shared governance model.
The Secretary for Academic Governance serves as an ex-officio non-voting member of several university-level committees: University Council, Faculty Senate, the Steering Committee and Academic Congress. This position serves those bodies as parliamentarian and must be fluent in Robert's Rules of Order. Additionally, the Secretary is an ex officio voting member of the University Committee on Academic Governance, guiding that committee in recommending amendments, and offering review and interpretation of university, college, and unit bylaws.
The Secretary for Academic Governance oversees the Office for Academic Governance and will dually report to the Faculty Senate Chair and the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs. The Secretary for Academic Governance works closely with the Chair of the Faculty Senate in matters pertaining to academic governance. The Office of Academic Governance provides staff support and coordination to The Steering Committee, University Council, Faculty Senate, and the University-Level Standing Committees. The office conducts and oversees elections for faculty vacancies on Standing Committees, Advisory Consultative Committees, At-Large Faculty Members of the Steering Committee and Other Boards and Committees. The position supervises a team of two full-time staff, one hourly graduate student employee, and undergraduate student employees.
Per the Bylaws for Academic Governance, the appointment of an incumbent in this position requires approval by the President, in consultation with the Steering Committee. The performance of the Secretary for Academic Governance is reviewed annually and more extensively at intervals not to exceed five years, under a procedure determined by the President.
MSU is a large university with many resources and excellent benefits for employees. Salary range begins at $110,000 and is commensurate with experience. Financial support for professional development is also provided.
The Secretary will provide administrative support for the university-level governance meetings, including:
- Providing administrative support for the Faculty Senate, Steering Committee, and University standing committees through the Office of Academic Governance.
- Providing or overseeing administrative and logistical support for university-level governance meetings.
- Assisting the chairs of the Faculty Senate, Steering Committee, and University Council in curating and developing the agendas for committee meetings.
- Coordinating the preparation of material provided to governance committees for action and information, including reviewing content for completeness, accuracy, and effectiveness.
- Leading the university's goal of governance transparency by ensuring the website and its contents are up to date and readily accessible.
- Overseeing follow-up on action items from governance committee meetings and ensuring they are updated regularly on the website.
As an internal liaison, the Secretary will:
- Serve as liaison between university faculty governance committees and University administration, communicating directly with representatives of the Office of the President and Office of the Provost.
- Attend university-level governance meetings of the University Council, Faculty Senate, the Steering Committee, University Committee on Academic Governance, General Assembly of the Associated Students of MSU, and Academic Congress.
- Serve as parliamentarian, secretary, and non-voting ex-officio member of the Steering Committee, Faculty Senate, University Council, and the Academic Congress.
- Serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the General Assembly of the Associated Students of MSU
- Advise, educate, and engage with faculty governance committees and University's senior administrators and staff regarding the Bylaws for Academic Governance and implementation of its procedures.
- Interact with diverse populations (faculty, administrators, students, staff) with a wide range of differing interests.
As the head of the Office for Academic Governance, the Secretary will:
- Serve as an ex-officio member of the University Committee on Academic Governance (UCAG) and collaborate with UCAG to identify opportunities for new or revised bylaws to enhance effective governance for the university.
- Conduct an orientation program each year for new governance committee members and supporting administrative staff.
- Oversee preparation, curation, and maintenance of records of minutes from the university-level governance meetings.
- Direct the Office of Academic Governance in consultation with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the chair of the Faculty Senate
- Supervise the Office of Academic Governance staff.
- Provide coordination and management for Academic Governance efforts and initiatives; track and ensure progress and completion; manage tasks and timelines; oversee follow-up on action items from committee meetings; ensure efficient and organized Academic Governance communication.
- Maintain the budget for the Academic Governance Office in consultation with the chair of the Faculty Senate.
- Supervise nominations and elections for all Academic Governance committees with review by the University Committee on Academic Governance.
Work hours are 8 AM to 5 PM with some nights and weekends. This is an on-site position. This is an off-dated position funded for five years from date of hire, with possible extension.
MSU is a large university with many resources and excellent benefits for employees. Salary range begins at $110,000 and is commensurate with experience.
Minimum Requirements- Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program
- Eight or more yeas of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience with:
- Organizational administrative structures/functions in a complex environment
- Organizational bylaws or policies, and the ability to interpret and apply them in various settings
- Policy development
- Planning processes
- Project management
- Records curation
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated through excellence in:
- Emotional intelligence and diplomacy
- Relationship-building
- Verbal, written, listening, and perspective-taking skills
- Ability to create and support a positive work environment
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Significant experience with the MS Office Suite (particularly Excel, Word, and Teams).
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired QualificationsProven experience in management and ability to meet timelines and budget; experience in supervising direct-report staff; familiarity with organization structures and/or bylaws; strong organization skills; strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated leadership skills; ability to organize and coordinate multiple activities at a given time; experience in academic governance.
- Relevant advanced degree is preferred.
- Familiarity with Michigan State University (particularly academic governance).
- Familiarity with Robert's Rules of Order.
- Conflict resolution and/or mediation skills.
- Experience supervising direct-report staff.
- A commitment to process improvement.
- Experience with database programs, website management, videoconferencing tools (including Zoom), and survey construction and analysis (including Qualtrics).
- Ability to identify and rapidly learn new technology solutions, as needed, to increase efficiency in office or governance processes.
- A commitment to quality, integrity, service, and transparency.
- Knowledge and understanding of higher education and governance.
Ability to identify and rapidly learn new technology solutions, as needed, to increase efficiency in office or governance processes.
Required Application MaterialsResume, cover letter addressed to the search committee.
Work HoursSTANDARD 8-5
Description of End DateThis is an off-dated position funded for 5 years from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding approval.
WebsiteHTTPS://ACADGOV.MSU.EDU/
Bidding Eligibility ends October 27, 2026 at 11:55 PMAdvertised: Oct 21, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Nov 3, 2026 Eastern Standard Time
