Assistant Dean and Director, Graduate Admissions

Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions

Who We Are:

USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks and be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

About The Marshall School of Business:

The Marshall School of Business is one of the premier business schools in the country, consistently recognized for its outstanding array of MBA and specialized MS programs. The Marshall School of Business is ideally positioned to address the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment and is ranked as one of the country’s top schools for accounting, finance, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship, and international business studies.

USC Marshall builds on the unique opportunities that stem from its Los Angeles location on the Pacific Rim, its interdisciplinary and impactful research, the momentum generated by the University of Southern California, and the unparalleled engagement of the Trojan Alumni Family. With ready access to industries defining the new business frontier, including biotechnology, life sciences, media, entertainment, communications, and healthcare, this vast network offers USC Marshall graduates exceptionally strong support for success in the global marketplace.

For more information on the USC Marshall School of Business, visit: www.marshall.usc.edu .

The Position:

USC Marshall is seeking an experienced and purpose-driven Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions to lead its graduate admissions team. The Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions will have direct responsibility for attracting, recruiting, selecting, and enrolling stellar graduate students across all its programs.  Reporting directly to and working closely with the Senior Vice Dean for Academic Programs, the Assistant Dean will ensure the successful operation and continuous enhancement of our graduate admissions process and play a crucial role in driving the strategy of graduate admissions for the USC Marshall School of Business, in alignment with its vision.

This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our graduate education and influence the next generation of global business leaders.

In addition to embodying the USC Unifying Values , the ideal candidate will have a strategic approach to supporting the university’s goals and strategic plan to become a national leader in student affordability and accessibility, attracting top students, and in making a national and global impact.

Key Responsibilities Include:  

• Lead the graduate admissions team responsible for attracting, recruiting, selecting, and enrolling stellar graduate students across all the programs each year.

• Supervise the graduate admissions process, including application review, interviews, admissions, and merit scholarships, for both domestic and international admissions. Oversee the graduate programs admissions budget.

• Foster a strong, collaborative office culture within the graduate admissions team and collaborate with senior administration and faculty, both within the Marshall School of Business and across the university.

• Build and implement the vision for the graduate admissions processes, ensuring alignment with the overall strategic goals of the graduate programs and the school and lead major admissions initiatives.

• Develop program operating and administrative policies.

• Directs the delivery of services to targeted program participants or beneficiaries. Sets and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Provides quality assurance reviews and addresses areas in need of attention. Provides for the development and maintenance of automated or manual systems and procedures to facilitate program operations.

• Directly or indirectly manages all staff assigned to the program, usually through subordinate managers or supervisors. Determines organizational structure, reporting relationships and short and long-range staffing needs based on program goals. Reviews and approves hiring and salary actions to ensure compliance with the policy. Oversees performance appraisal process for program staff and remains informed of any disciplinary actions required.

• Develops and manages program budgets covering operations, endowments, and sponsored projects. Makes major budgetary and resource allocation decisions. Provides financial status reports as needed.

• Represents the program and school as an authority in the field. Responds to requests for information, advice, or assistance from colleagues, the media, professional or industry associations, etc.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Candidate for Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions will have at minimum:

• Minimum Education: Master’s degree

• Minimum Experience: 7 years

• Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related program management experience. Expert knowledge of the field, teaching experience and/or active in research. Ability to manage sponsored projects and fundraise.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills: oral, written, and interpersonal.

• Admissions experience in graduate business education, especially MBA programs.

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.

• Experience interacting and communicating with senior administration and faculty.

• Proficient skills in Excel and PowerPoint.

Required Documents and Additional Information

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

• Effective May 19th, 2023, the COVID-19 vaccination (primary series and booster when eligible) is moving to the category of “strongly recommended” instead of required. This change in policy applies to most campus-based employees (faculty and staff). For more information, please visit USC’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions*; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

• The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

 University employer contributions may be subject to change due to the financial impact of COVID-19.

The annual base salary range for this position is $133,185 - $250,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The Candidate for Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Admissions will have at minimum: Minimum Education: Master’s degree Minimum Experience: 7 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related program management experience. Expert knowledge of the field, teaching experience and/or active in research. Ability to manage sponsored projects and fundraise.