Search committee releases candidate profile for next WashU Olin dean

Four months after Mark P. Taylor stepped down from the WashU Olin deanship and about two months after an 11-member search committee was named, the committee has released its 12-page description of the role and a profile of what members are seeking in candidates.

Taylor, Olin’s Donald Danforth Jr. Distinguished Professor of Finance, stepped down from the dean’s post effective June 30. Anjan Thakor, the John E. Simon Professor of Finance, stepped into the role on an interim basis effective July 1. WashU Chancellor Andrew Martin and Provost Beverly Wendland appointed a search committee in August. That group is chaired by Kurt Dirks, director of the George and Carol Bauer Leadership Center and senior adviser to the chancellor for leadership.

As the university reported on the provost’s website, “Washington University in St. Louis seeks a visionary, energetic, and innovative leader to serve as the next dean of the Olin Business School. It is an incredibly exciting time to join the Olin Business School, building on the tremendous momentum underway as WashU launches its ambitious strategic plan.

“The next dean will join the leadership of this world-class institution, known for its research and teaching excellence, as well as its collegial community. WashU is on an impressive trajectory, with strong leadership, substantial resources, and great promise for even further excellence and distinction. The next dean will play a pivotal role both within Olin and throughout the entire university to accomplish these goals.”

Those words echo the language in the 12-page profile, shared on Wednesday with the public. The document notes that the search committee retained Chicago-based executive search and leadership consulting firm Spencer Stuart to support the search. It does not specify a deadline for submissions of interest or a timeframe for the process.