Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Salem, OR (NOW HIRING)

Location: McMinnville, Oregon
Department: Admissions
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

At Linfield University, you’ll be part of a collaborative, mission-driven community dedicated to student success. Our Enrollment Management team plays a vital role in helping prospective students discover a transformative educational experience. We are seeking an innovative, data-driven Systems Manager to lead the administration and strategic use of our Slate CRM while partnering across campus to enhance the student recruitment and enrollment experience.

If you enjoy optimizing systems, improving business processes, and using technology to drive meaningful results, we’d love to hear from you.

The Systems Manager serves as the division’s lead expert for the Slate CRM, providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational support for Enrollment Management. As the University’s primary Slate administrator (“Slate Captain”), this position oversees system configuration, data integrity, workflow optimization, reporting, and integrations that support undergraduate recruitment and admissions operations.

Working closely with Undergraduate Admission, Graduate Admission, Financial Aid, Information Technology Services, and other campus partners, the Systems Manager develops innovative solutions that improve efficiency, enhance the user experience, and support institutional enrollment goals.

• Serve as the University’s functional lead and primary administrator for the undergraduate Slate CRM.
• Configure and maintain workflows, automations, applications, forms, portals, events, communications, and system functionality.
• Ensure Slate supports recruitment strategies, operational excellence, and enrollment objectives.
• Evaluate new features and implement enhancements that improve performance and user experience.

• Develop and maintain queries, dashboards, and reports that support strategic planning and operational decision-making.
• Provide regular and ad hoc reporting to admissions leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Maintain the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of prospective student data.
• Analyze trends and support enrollment forecasting and data-informed planning.

• Optimize admissions processes including application management, review workflows, scholarship programming, and decision release.
• Support efficient processing of a high-volume applicant pool.
• Partner with admissions staff to improve daily operations and eliminate process barriers throughout the enrollment lifecycle.

• Continuously evaluate and streamline workflows across the admissions lifecycle.
• Establish operational standards, documentation, and best practices that promote consistency and scalability.
• Lead CRM-related initiatives that strengthen enrollment operations and support institutional goals.
• Collaborate with campus partners and participate on cross-functional committees to advance strategic priorities.

• Work with Information Technology Services, TechSolutions, and campus partners to develop, test, and maintain integrations between Slate, Ellucian Colleague, and other third-party systems.
• Test new functionality while ensuring data security, reliability, and system integrity.
• Serve as the primary liaison for CRM enhancements, upgrades, and issue resolution.

• Create and maintain user guides, workflow documentation, and operating procedures.
• Deliver training and ongoing support for admissions and campus users.
• Promote best practices that expand institutional knowledge and effective use of Slate.

• Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in CRM administration, enrollment technology, and admissions operations.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and implement innovative solutions that improve enrollment outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five or more years of professional experience demonstrating expertise in CRM systems, data management, business processes, and project management.
• Minimum two years of advanced experience administering Slate CRM, including complex query development (such as configurable joins).
• Experience with database structures and CRM-to-ERP integrations, preferably Ellucian Colleague or comparable systems.
• Demonstrated success improving business processes and implementing operational efficiencies.
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supervising professional staff.

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service orientation and collaborative working style.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to communicate the value of a liberal arts education and support the mission of Linfield University.

This position typically works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required to support occasional evening and weekend activities related to student recruitment and enrollment.

At Linfield, you’ll join a close-knit community where innovation, collaboration, and student success are at the heart of everything we do. Your work will directly support the University’s enrollment strategy by improving systems, streamlining processes, and helping prospective students navigate their path to becoming members of the Linfield community.

If you’re passionate about leveraging technology, data, and process improvement to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.