Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Washington University in St. Louis—one of the nation’s premier research universities and home to the nationally recognized Washington University School of Medicine—seeks a strategic, collaborative, and analytically exceptional Senior Director of Enterprise Decision Support (EDS).

This senior leader will shape the university’s enterprise-wide decision-support function, providing neutral, high-quality analytical insight that guides resource allocation, strategic planning, and investment decisions across both the Danforth Campus and WashU Medicine. The Senior Director partners closely with academic, clinical, research, and administrative leaders—advancing institutional priorities through rigorous analyses, business case development, and effective storytelling grounded in data.

This role offers the opportunity to influence high-impact decisions for a globally ranked university and top-tier academic medical center, working at the intersection of strategy, finance, data, and institutional leadership.

Job Description

Enterprise Decision Support Leadership 

• Lead the development and delivery of decision-ready business cases and analyses supporting university-wide and School of Medicine priorities. 

• Establish and uphold analytical standards, ensuring consistency in assumptions, methodologies, and scenario modeling across all EDS work products. 

• Oversee a portfolio of complex, cross-institutional analyses that inform senior decision-making at the highest levels (CFO, CAO, Provost, Deans, executive councils, and the Board of Trustees). 

• Serve as a trusted institutional advisor known for clarity, neutrality, and intellectual rigor. 

Strategic Insights & Advisory 

• Initiate new analyses that anticipate institutional needs, including benchmarking, capacity modeling, financial and operational forecasting, and long range planning. 

• Translate analytical findings into clear, compelling recommendations that enable leaders to compare options, evaluate trade-offs, and make confident strategic decisions. 

• Partner with leaders in academic departments, clinical operations, research administration, and central units to shape decision frameworks and refine strategic questions. 

Team Leadership & Talent Development 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of professional analysts, promoting excellence in quantitative analysis, data storytelling, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Create a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth within the Enterprise Decision Support function. 

• Ensure work products meet the highest standards of accuracy, timeliness, and relevance. 

Institutional Collaboration & Communication 

• Build strong, trust-based relationships across WashU and WashU Medicine, functioning as a connective partner between units with diverse missions and needs. 

• Prepare and refine materials for enterprise governance bodies including executive councils, Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees. 

• Promote transparency and alignment through thoughtful communication, collaborative problem-solving, and shared analytical frameworks. 

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (8 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• 8 years of experience in enterprise decision support, FP&A, consulting, healthcare finance, or higher education administration.

• Experience working with senior academic, clinical, and administrative leaders.

• Experience supervising professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, MPP, MPH, or similar).

• Experience in an R1 university or academic medical center.

Pay for this position is expected to be in the $175,000 - $200,000 range.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Confidentiality, Decision Making, Oral Communications, Prioritization, Relationship Building, Strategic Leadership, Written Communication

Grade

G18

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.