Assistant Director, Admissions & Financial Aid

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

10d • $75,000 - $80,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid plays a vital dual role within HGSE’s Admissions & Aid team, supporting the development, delivery, and evaluation of strategies and processes that attract, enroll, and support a talented, diverse student body. This position independently manages a range of admissions and financial aid activities, with a strong focus on, application evaluation, financial counseling, awarding, and operational systems support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of three years of relevant financial aid work experience.
• Must be willing and able to travel for professional development and other related purposes.
• Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document.
• Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position should indicate that they meet all of the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a student services office
• Experience with PowerFaids financial aid management system highly preferred.
• Excellent organizational, communications, writing, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with frequent interruptions in a busy office.
• Ability to work with highly confidential information

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a portfolio of domestic recruitment initiatives and contribute to the full-cycle admissions process — from marketing and recruitment to yield and matriculation— with a primary focus on experienced professionals across the U.S.
• Counsel and advise prospective students about application processes, degree programs, and HGSE’s offerings; represent HGSE at recruitment events on-campus, off-campus, and virtually.
• Evaluate and recommend candidates for admission using discretion and sound judgment for a portfolio of degree programs.
• Propose and implement innovative recruitment events, contacts, resources, and partnerships; monitor data and trends to assess recruitment and yield efforts and recommend operational improvements.
• Support the Financial Certification process for admitted international students to ensure timely documentation and compliance.
• Independently conduct institutional and federal needs analysis and award financial aid by evaluating complex financial information; manage a caseload of approximately 300 students through recruitment, awarding, enrollment, and graduation, including financial counseling and planning.
• Manage financial aid refund and student account processing.
• Assist with management of the Direct Loan program, which includes NSLDS review and SOR processes for part-time students.
• Review appeals and requests for additional aid; communicate outcomes and provide clear guidance to students.
• Manage federal verification and related eligibility resolution processes, including review of conflicting information, documentation requirements, database matches, and other federal student aid eligibility issues; counsel students on requirements and resolve complex cases.
• Assist in developing, testing, and enhancing financial aid management systems (e.g., PowerFAIDS) and integrations with other university systems; analyze and test algorithms and business processes for packaging, compliance, communications, and reporting.
• Manage multiple fellowship programs in parallel with admissions activities, including fund management, recruitment, application, and selection processes; develop and update related policies and workflows.
• Support annual audit reporting, compliance, quality assurance, and financial aid operations in line with federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of communications strategies and materials related to aid; support students in financial literacy, debt management, and financial planning.
• Assist in training and onboarding of seasonal staff or graduate assistants as needed.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree