Summary
The mission of the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is to catalyze, support, and safeguard U-M research. To that end, our team is constantly striving to foster new research, build partnerships, and provide support to our researchers to realize our vision of research to serve the world.

OVPR oversees numerous units conducting research as well as units focused on providing services and support to U-M researchers. OVPR is seeking an Information Technology Business Consultant, reporting to the Associate Director for Information Technology Administration, to join our Business Operations IT team. This position will have a wide range of duties including business systems design and improvement; IT project management; project and process documentation; IT onboarding for new staff; reporting; and supporting internal OVPR IT projects, IT projects for individual OVPR units, and larger-scale projects from ITS.

Responsibilities*
Consult with OVPR customers to identify technical requirements for any new or updated application or large-scale process that will achieve the unit's goals. Work with unit leadership and/or process owners to determine the business requirements for a particular project or process to be designed or improved. Provide advice for solutions, develop IT action items involving other IT partners as needed, and manage the project through completion. Proactively communicate updates and answer questions from stakeholders, including Neighborhood IT and other ITS providers.

Provide project management support for the IT portion of Business Operations initiatives to include Finance, HR, IT, Internal Controls, Research Administration, and Space Administration. Schedule and participate in meetings, document information, develop questions and task lists, consult with applicable stakeholders, IT partners, and other staff, and provide status updates. Act as liaison for the web presence of Business Operations and OVPR Communications.

Provide IT assistance for ITS central services projects that impact OVPR, mainly to create, integrate, and automate processes to streamline workflow. This includes consulting with IT partners in ITS and other areas as appropriate, scheduling meetings and setting agendas, interviewing customers for IT challenges, developing action items, and providing follow-through to ensure project completion.

Maintain the knowledge base of OVPR and its units' IT framework for internal OVPR and Information and Technology Services (ITS) use. This information is a key resource allowing ITS service providers to support OVPR.

Initiate IT onboarding for VPR staff. Consult with the hiring manager or designate, and the new hire to determine the hardware, software, and peripheral equipment needed. Liaison between the new employee, Neighborhood IT, the OVPR office manager, and the hiring manager or designate to handle the IT portion of onboarding tasks. Track progress using the ITS ticketing system, TeamDynamix, and provide timely communications to ensure the process runs smoothly.

Serve as MiWorkspace liaison to escalate user IT issues as needed and ensure resolution.

Work with Business Operations Finance team to purchase software when appropriate for OVPR to handle.

Review security reports and inform the Associate Director for IT Administration of any security issues. Track mitigation efforts to ensure compliance with university IT security policies.

Assist in creating reports to streamline business operations processes.

Create monthly reports of IT activity for leadership.

Represent OVPR at campus IT meetings where applicable.

Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.

Minimum of three years experience in operational IT services.

Direct knowledge of the University of Michigan IT environment.

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and manage tasks with competing deadlines.

Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills including active listening skills and a high attention to detail.

Knowledge of systems development methodologies and demonstrated skills in business systems analysis, design, and system testing.

Demonstrated skills in gathering, translating, prioritizing, and documenting system requirements.

Demonstrated proficiency with current computer technology and applications (e.g. business process mapping software, word processing, spreadsheet, and collaboration applications).

Promote a model of customer service behaviors and attitudes that foster collaboration and break barriers that may impede good service delivery.

Ability to work independently when conducting systems and process analysis and design.

Strong analytical thinking and ability to problem-solve.