Director of Admissions Systems and Analytics, Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business, one of the world's leading business schools, seeks aDirector of Admissions Systems and Analytics,to joinits Admissions leadership team.

With strong momentum in the residential MBA, Part-Time MBAand executive MBA formats, the Director joins Darden at an exciting time.Darden delivers topranked graduate degree programs-FullTime MBA, PartTime MBA, Executive MBA, MSBA, and Ph.D.-and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning from the Darden School Foundation. The School's facultyisconsistentlyrankedNo. 1 in the world for teaching excellence and is renowned for influential scholarship supported by research centers and Darden Business Publishing,one of thelargest case publishers globally. With a growing presence at UVA Darden DC Metro in Rosslyn, Darden is expanding its reach at the intersection ofbusiness, policy, and global enterprise.

The Director of Admission Systems and Analyticsisproduct owner and function leadresponsible for leading all activities in the admission office related toconfiguration andmanagementoftheadmissions technology platform(TechnolutionsSlate); process workflows and automations;data stewardship and data quality;anddata analyticsproducts(Databricks and Power BI)in support of data-drivenrecruiting and admissions strategiesto help Darden's Office of Admission achieve enrollment and institutional goals.TheDirectorspecificallyserves asthe"Slate Captain"forDarden'sTechnolutions Slateinstanceand is responsible for managing the platform's vision and roadmap, user experienceand stakeholdermanagement, includingclose collaborationwithStrategicIT, Data& Analytics(as part of its extended team),Communications and Marketing, andUVAInformation Technology (ITS) staff todevelop andmaintain necessarydata and process integrationssuch as SIS(PeopleSoft),Darden Data Hub, DardenRegistrar, etc.

In addition, this role represents Darden Admissionsat University-wide meetings and professional conferences related to technology and data.TheDirectoris responsible for assessing andfine-tuning the enrollment database and related reporting systems to optimize efficiency and capacity to provide individualized and highly personal support to and communication with both internal and external constituents.TheDirectorleadshigher-end reporting andanalytics for the admissions processin partnership with the Data & Analytics teamand ensures that the enterprise maximizes functionality of the database/CRM features in Slateand data analytics ecosystem (Databricks + Power BI).

This positionmay be fully remote or in-person (either Charlottesville or Rosslyn).

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Providesstrategicleadershipand planningtoOffice of Admissionsstaff, working closely with theSeniorAssistant Dean of Admissionsand other senior staff,tomanageand implementdataquality, data standardization, and operationalpoliciestoexecute the mission of theOfficeofAdmissions

• Enableand motivateadmissions team to most effectively leverage and deploy technology solutions, providing training and then ensuring accountability for admissions staff use of technology tools at the highest levels of effectiveness to improve team performance.

• Directly supervises and evaluates the performance ofadmissions systems and analytics staff; trains and motivates direct reports to provide exceptional client service

• Works closely withadmissionsmarketing team, providing technical supervision and creative guidance

• Establishes performance goals and proceduresin collaboration with Director of Enrollmentto ensure the timely completion of recruitment, review, selection, and enrollment of thefirst-yearclass.

• Cultivaterelationships with peer schools in MBA industry.

• Monitors advances within peer schools and opportunities for Darden.

• Attends MBA Admissions IT peer school meetings.

Reporting andData Analytics

• Build and maintainanadmissionsanalytics roadmap, in collaboration with the Data & Analytics team.

• Designand developoperational reports in Slate, analyticsmodels andreports/dashboardsinDatabricks andPower BI(followingDarden's standardized analyticslifecycleprocess)toenable new levels of insight regarding the admissions process for senior leadership and the admissions, recruitment, and enrollment marketing teams.

• Manage special projects as assigned by department and school leadership. This may include data analysis and data generation within a short time frame.

• Deliver ongoing and accurate reporting ofstandardizedKPIs;quantify issues effectively; compile historic data to measure past performance against current; set measurable goals and benchmarks to research areas for improved future effectiveness; identify anomalies or trends.

• Communicate to leadership issues or potential improvements to process, efficiency or increased capacity that comes from data analyses.

• Develop and maintain automated processes that assess data quality throughout the admissions lifecycle, taking immediateactions toremediate data qualityissuesthat impact decision-making.

• Serve as the deputy data steward within Darden's Data Governance process for the enrollmentmanagementdata domain.

• Actively managegovernance of enrollment managementdata withinthe Darden Data Hub.

Internal and External Collaboration and Partnerships

• Collaborates closely withthe SeniorDirectorfor Data &Analytics andthe Data &Analytics team.

• Serves on joint admissions/ C&Mteam (meets weekly)

• Direct and manages engagements with external consultants

• Establish and maintain service level agreements (SLA) with service delivery within and outside of the Admissions team as itrelates toSlate functionality, processes and data preparation/release

System Governance

• Oversee maintenance ofDarden'sfourapplications for admission(Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Executive MBA, PhD)and prospect source channels. This includes annual review and update to the institution's application components, class profile, application checklist, applicant and student portals, data configuration and import/exports, developing and executing testing plans, application launch/post-launch, and decision release process.

• Troubleshootissues across system;developand enhanceSlate best practices; anticipate and communicatefuture technical needs associatedwith outside vendors; providenecessary documentation, training and timely updates for admissions staff and enterprise leadership; and serve asliaison between the Office of Admissions and IT & Analytics as well as Communication&Marketing.

• Manage and support all application configurations as well as coordinatebroad integration with other university software and systems (e.g. PeopleSoft, GMAC, ETS, Salesforce, Darden Data Hub).

• Oversee Slate modules,performdaily activitiesand oversee team for tasksrelated tomaintenance and administration of Slate, such as Queries and Reports, all aspects of the Slate Reader platform, Mailings, Calendars Scheduling and Campaigns, Forms and Events, Database Uploading and Maintenance (i.e. Application and Transcripts, GMAT, GRE,and TOEFL data sources), Users and Access issues and permissions, Deliver configurations and messaging, and Admission Portals.

• Serve as a resource for retrieving admissions data, including generating queries and reports. Guiding, troubleshooting, and supporting the Admissions team.

• Lead and conduct periodic Slate training opportunities for the broader Admissions team.

Operations Oversight & Software Management

• Oversee data integration with UVASIS (Student Information System- PeopleSoft) to abide by University of Virginia Regulations.

• Buildsand directs development of external user portals, i.e. interviewers,alumnivolunteers, admitted students

• Manageonlinedecision and scholarship award release process, ensuring utmost integrity and accuracy

• Direct efforts to maintain data integrity and maximize data quality assurance

Business Process Engineering & Operational Excellence

• Demonstrated experience analyzing, designing, and optimizing end-to-end business processes, particularly within complex, multi-step workflows such as recruitment, admissions, and enrollment operations

• Expertise in business process mapping (e.g., current state / future state), including identification of inefficiencies, control gaps, and opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved data capture

• Ability to translate business objectives and operational needs into well-defined process requirements, ensuring alignment between functional stakeholders and technical delivery teams

• Experience leading process improvement initiatives, including documenting workflows, defining success metrics, and driving adoption of new or enhanced processes across teams

• Strong capability to partner with technical teams to ensure systems are configured to support optimized business processes and high-quality data capture

• Proven ability to manage projects involving process redesign, system enhancements, or operational change, including planning, prioritization, stakeholder communication, and delivery against timelines

• Experience developing clear documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials to support consistent execution and long-term sustainability of business processes

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degreeand at least3years of relevant professional experience required.

• Master'sdegreeand at least seven years ofexperience incollege admissions/enrollmentpreferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Solid analyticsskills to includeproficiency with SQLandPython

• Knowledge of softwaredevelopment lifecyclebest practicesas well asteam-based development using Agile method and collaboration tools (Jira preferred)

• Demonstratedunderstanding ofanalyticsinfrastructure(datawarehousing)andanalytics modelingtechniques(machine learning)

• Demonstratedproficiency withintegratingAI intobusinessprocesses andworkflows

• Demonstrated mastery and expertise inmanagingadmissions-related software systems, includingTechnolutionsSlate, Peoplesoft,or other CRMand analytics-related software, including PowerBI, Tableau.

• Strong collaborative and leadership skills and the ability to motivate and promote professional development of staff.

• Excellent awareness and understanding of national and global trends in college admissions/enrollment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and with confidential information.

• Professionalism, tact, judgement, flexibility and commitment toteamwork.

• Demonstrated creative problem-solving and strategic-thinking skills.

How to Apply

Please apply online throughOnlineand search for R0083519. Complete the application and upload the followingrequiredmaterials:

Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on theUVA Internal Careers website.

• Cover letter

• Resume

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For questions about the application process, please contact Bill Crane at Xer5ff@virginia.edu

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.