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 is responsible for driving the growth, competitiveness, and success of the Cox School of Business's portfolio of full-time and MS graduate programs, including MBA (1-Year and 2-Year), MSA, MSBA, MSAIB, MSF, MSM, and MSEM. Overseeing programs that enroll more than 500 students annually and generate over $25 million in revenue, this position plays a critical role in advancing the school's reputation, rankings, and strategic objectives.
The Assistant Dean will develop and implement comprehensive recruitment, admissions, and enrollment strategies to attract and enroll high-caliber candidates in an increasingly competitive market. The role provides day-to-day leadership for the Full-Time and MS Admissions team, ensuring operational excellence across the candidate lifecycle, from recruitment through admissions, yield management, and enrollment.
The position will ensure effective execution of recruitment strategies and alignment with key Cox stakeholders, including senior leadership, student services, faculty, and marketing. The position will also collaborate with the Senior Assistant Dean to enhance program competitiveness and deliver an exceptional student experience.
The position also represents the school's graduate programs to prospective students, corporate partners, and industry stakeholders.
Essential Functions:
Education and Experience:
A Master's degree is required. MBA is preferred.
A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience, with at least three (3) years of management experience is required. Some admissions experience is also required, preferably with MBA admissions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate with stakeholders across the University, including students, faculty, staff, and prospective students. Must also have the ability to build, foster, and maintain productive professional relationships with a broad range of constituencies. Strong presentation and public speaking skills, including the ability to clearly communicate information to audiences of varying sizes, are essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills and critical-thinking abilities, with the capacity to identify challenges, analyze information, and develop effective, data-informed solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess outcomes and utilize data to support decision-making, are required. Strong attention to detail and accuracy are essential.
Candidate must have strong fiscal planning and budget management skills. Demonstrated track record of achieving measurable results and meeting organizational goals is essential. The ability to lead, motivate, and develop professional staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment is required.
Candidates must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with and/or knowledge admissions software (e.g. Slate, Salesforce) preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Deadline to Apply:
The position is open until filled.
Review of applications will begin immediately and full consideration will be given to applications received by September 14, 2026.
EEO Statement:
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
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.
SMU, a private, nonsectarian university of about 12,000 students, is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. Explore SMU at www.smu.edu. Our beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations. Visit www.dallaschamber.org