Assistant Dean, Working Professional Programs at Southern Methodist University Inc in Dallas, Texas

Job Description:

Description



Salary Range:



Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications



About SMU



SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.


SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.


SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.


Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.


SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.



About the Position:



This role is an on-campus, in-person position.


The Assistant Dean of Working Professional Graduate Programs directs the Graduate Admissions team in recruiting 400+ new students each year across the Working Professional MBA (WPMBA) portfolio, which includes the Online MBA (OMBA), MBA Direct (MBAD), Professional MBA (PMBA) and Executive MBA (EMBA) graduate degree programs as well as Cox-based certificate programs ($40M+ total annual revenue).


The role aligns with leadership from Cox Student Services, the Career Management Center, Marketing, SMU Go, Executive Education, and other internal and external partners to drive recruitment. The Assistant Dean will collaborate with Cox leadership to develop and launch additional programs to meet constantly changing market demands.



Essential Functions:

• Lead WPMBA Admissions: Oversees team developing strategies to recruit WPMBA candidates. Serves as a manager of managers, directing 10 staff (Directors/Associate Directors/Assistant Directors/Coordinators) + contractors to develop and sustain high performance. Hire, train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate team, assessing and adjusting resources to sync with strategic plan and market changes.
  
  
  
  


• Ensure Cox remains competitive and grows one of the college's most critical revenue streams. Drives effective execution of strategy and alignment with key stakeholders. Collaborate w/ Sr Asst Dean and FTMBA/MS Asst Dean to ensure alignment with Cox strategy.
  
  
  
  


• Collaborate with Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, Corporate Relations, and Marketing on planning and execution of B2B and B2C marketing and sales campaigns related to WP MBA programs and business development. Present to prospective students and corporate partners. Coordinate accurate compilation and reporting of all WPMBA Admissions-related rankings data.
  
  
  
  


• WP Portfolio Strategy & Development Support: Identify new Working Professional graduate program opportunities to drive new revenue streams for SMU Cox based upon the evolving needs and opportunities of the working professionals and their employers. Partner with internal SMU partners or external vendors to develop and deliver new programs.
  
  
  
  


• Industry Leadership: Lead SMU Cox in industry representation and visibility, including rankings. Strategically expand SMU Cox's presence through committee participation, conference presentations and thought leadership in organizations such as GMAC, MBA Roundtable, EMBAC, Professional MBA/Online MBA Annual Conference. Additionally, position will make strategic decision on rankings submissions strategy to improve rankings performance.
  
  
  
  


• Budget: Partner with Associate Dean to construct departmental budgets and Senior Assistant Dean to construct admissions budgets, aligning spending with strategic priorities. Manage annual spend and tracking, providing recommendations to leadership for variations as needed. Track and allocate scholarship spend.
  
  

Qualifications



Education and Experience:



Master's degree is required. MBA preferred.


A minimum of ten years of professional work experience is required. A minimum of five years managing a professional staff is also required.


Progressive admissions, career management and/or corporate experience, including significant leadership & change management is required.



Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:



Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies (students, staff, faculty, prospective students). Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Strong public relations skills are essential.


Candidate must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. A strong attention to detail and the ability to provide accurate information are essential. Demonstrated track record of delivering results is essential.


Candidate must possess strong strategic planning, implementation, and assessment abilities. Must also possess strong fiscal, planning, budgeting, and data-driven assessment skills.


Candidate must demonstrate professional presentation skills with the ability to present clear and accurate information to small and large groups. The ability to provide focus and motivation to a professional staff is essential. An understanding of MBA/MS admissions is strongly preferred.


Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point), internet and email communication systems. Must also have a strong technical aptitude.


Experience with and/or a knowledge of Salesforce, Slate, Handshake, or other admissions software is desired. A working knowledge of social media tools is a plus.



Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
  
  

Deadline to Apply:



The position is open until filled.



EEO Statement:



SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.



Benefits:



SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.


SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.


The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits. Apply Now