Assistant Dean & Director of Admissions Operations (Hybrid) - Olin Business

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking an Assistant Dean of Admissions Operations to lead the admissions function for full-time graduate programs.

The role oversees admissions systems (Slate, Salesforce), data management, and reporting, with joint decision authority on admissions and scholarship decisions within budget and policy constraints. The position directs cross-functional collaborations across departments to align processes with institutional priorities, ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Leads admissions operations and processes.
• Manages data quality, reporting, and workflow efficiency across the admissions lifecycle.
• Collaborates with internal partners to align selection criteria with institutional goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the admissions function, ensuring timely and accurate processing of applications.
• Oversee admissions systems, data management, reporting, and workflow optimization across the full admissions lifecycle.
• Manage evaluation of MBA and specialized master's applications with joint admission authority.

Skills

Admissions leadership

Data management

Stakeholder collaboration

Process optimization

Tools

Slate

Salesforce

Workday

Job description

Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63130

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Leads the systems, processes, and decisions that convert applicant demand into enrolled students across Olin's full-time graduate programs. The seat is one of two Assistant Dean positions reporting to the Associate Dean, Full-Time Programs: the Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Full-Time Graduate Recruitment builds the applicant pool; this position converts it‑application processing, evaluation and decisioning, enrollment forecasting, and the Slate and Salesforce architecture on which both teams operate. The position holds admission decision authority jointly with the Associate Dean and the Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Full-Time Graduate Recruitment; scholarship decisions are reserved to the discretion of this group.

Decisioning authority covers Olin's full-time graduate programs. Systems leadership extends further: the position administers and enhances the admissions platforms serving the graduate portfolio, including systems and workflows supporting part‑time program operations. The position supervises the admissions operations team and requires administrator‑level command of Slate and Salesforce. Olin is in the midst of a deliberate transformation, and this position plays a key part in advancing Olin's proud legacy and furthering WashU's role in driving impact.

Job Description

Admissions Operations & Decisioning

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the admissions function, ensuring timely, accurate, and efficient processing of applications and related materials.
• Oversee admissions systems, data management, reporting, and workflow optimization across the full admissions lifecycle, from inquiry through matriculation.
• Manage the evaluation of full-time MBA and specialized master's applications. Hold admission decision authority jointly with the Associate Dean and the Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Full-Time Graduate Recruitment.
• Exercise scholarship decision authority as a member of that group, within approved budget parameters.
• In collaboration with internal partners, develop selection criteria that identify students with the highest potential for academic and professional success.
• Direct complex admissions processes, apply admission policies evenly, and ensure integrity and fairness in the selection process. Demonstrate understanding of the reputational impacts of decisioning.
• Accountable for cyclical updates to the application process, including annual Slate cycle preparation, interview and essay questions, and admission materials.
• Ensure matriculating students are accurately reflected in the Workday student database.
• Monitor and improve data integrity, process compliance, and operational effectiveness. Ensure compliance with FERPA and University file retention policies.

Enrollment Forecasting & Reporting

• Own the enrollment forecast, including stage-gating of all admitted students from deposit through matriculation and management of the visa process for international students.
• Prepare regular admissions forecasts, enrollment reports, statistical analyses, and summaries, including round‑by‑round conversion, end‑of‑cycle performance, and longitudinal reporting.
• Analyze admissions trends and operational metrics to inform decision‑making and continuous improvement.

Systems Leadership

• Lead the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of admissions systems, including administrator‑level ownership of the Slate instance and systemic review of Salesforce CRM processes to increase effectiveness and organizational efficiency.
• Provide systems leadership across the graduate portfolio, including admissions platforms and workflows supporting part‑time program operations, in partnership with the part‑time programs team.
• Develop and refine procedures, documentation, and training for admissions operations.

Recruitment Partnership & Yield Support

• Support the Assistant Dean & Executive Director of Full-Time Graduate Recruitment in executing strategic and tactical plans to strengthen and expand the applicant pool, utilizing tools such as scholarship and relationship management.
• Coordinate communication strategies and operational processes across departments to support a seamless applicant experience.
• Partner with Financial Aid, Registrar, IT, Marketing & Communications, Strategic Insights, Student Advising, and other stakeholders to align operational processes with institutional priorities.

Supervision, Management & Fiscal Responsibility

• Supervise and support the admissions operations team, including the Assistant Director of Admissions Operations and admissions operations staff, to maintain high-quality service and operational excellence.
• Manage admissions division hiring, training, coaching, and professional development for admissions staff.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics for admissions operations staff to assess impact and effectiveness.
• Make performance decisions quickly and wit