Assistant Director, Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Duke University; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks an Assistant Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships to advise students and alumni on major national and international opportunities, manage endorsement and interview processes, and boost student success through advising and program administration. In this hybrid role, you will lead the Fulbright U.S.

Student Program campus activities, coordinate the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, develop outreach and promotional materials, and collaborate with faculty,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years of related experience or equivalent.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Experience planning and administering programs involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise applicants pursuing national and international scholarship opportunities.
• Manage campus application, evaluation, endorsement, and interview processes.
• Recruit, advise, and support students and alumni throughout the application cycle.
• Coordinate faculty and staff interview committees and endorsements.
• Develop communications and promotional materials.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Work Arrangement:

Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)

Requisition Number:

273807

Regular or Temporary:

Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area:

UNIVERSITY

Be You.

The Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF) is seeking an Assistant Director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships to join a dynamic team dedicated to supporting some of Duke University's most academically engaged and intellectually curious students and alumni. In this highly visible role, you will advise applicants pursuing prominent national and international scholarship opportunities, manage complex application and endorsement processes, and foster student success through advising, mentorship, program administration, and strategic outreach.

You will play a key role in administering Duke's Fulbright U.S. Student Program while also coordinating the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) program and supporting additional nationally competitive scholarship opportunities. This position offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and external partners while helping students achieve transformative educational and professional experiences.

Minimum Requirements

• Work requires analytical, communications, and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
• Two years of related experience in advising, program administration, project management, student development, higher education, or a related area. Or any other equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Experience planning and administering programs, projects, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a high-volume environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience advising students on nationally competitive scholarships, fellowships, or academic opportunities.
• Experience as an applicant or recipient of a nationally competitive scholarship or fellowship.
• Experience managing application, selection, endorsement, and/or review processes.
• Experience developing outreach, recruitment, and promotional initiatives.
• Knowledge of higher education student support programs and academic enrichment opportunities.

Other Requirements

• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support events, workshops, interviews, and conferences, as well as to meet deadlines.
• Occasional travel required for professional development, program administration, and scholarship-related conferences.
• Ability to serve as a supervisor and chaperone for student travel and conference participation.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement in accordance with Duke University policies.

Be Bold.

Fulbright Program Leadership and Administration

• Serve as the primary advisor and campus administrator for Duke's Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
• Manage the campus application, evaluation, endorsement, and interview processes while maintaining sustainable workflows and timelines.
• Recruit, advise, and support undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni throughout the application cycle.
• Coordinate faculty and staff interview committees, recruit committee participants, and oversee committee operations.
• Draft, review, approve, and sign institutional evaluations and endorsements.
• Train and supervise graduate student assistants and monitor application cycle metrics, reporting, and program outcomes.
• Maintain scholarship-related websites, and develop communications and promotional materials.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program Coordination

• Serve as Duke University's MMUF Coordinator and liaison to the Mellon Foundation.
• Recruit students and promote fellowship opportunities through workshops, outreach efforts, and information sessions.
• Coordinate application review and selection processes in partnership with the MMUF Faculty Director.
• Manage program finances, reconciliation activities, annual reports, and compliance requirements as directed by the Mellon Foundation and Duke University
• Support student participation in conferences and serve as a chaperone during fellowship-related travel.
• Coordinate regional and campus-hosted conferences, overseeing event planning, communications, logistics, volunteers, budgeting, and operations.
• Develop and maintain fellowship materials, participant agreements, award communications, and stipends.

Scholarship Advising and University Engagement

• Advise students on a variety of nationally competitive scholarship and fellowship opportunities, including DAAD, Lafayette Fellowship, M. David-Weill Scholarship, Beinecke Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Scholarship, Luce Scholars Program, and others.
• Manage assigned scholarship endorsement and nomination processes and prepare institutional recommendations as needed.
• Support scholarship information sessions, outreach events, communications, and educational programming.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to strengthen awareness and participation in scholarship opportunities.
• Participate in committees, special projects, and professional development activities that support OUSF initiatives.

Choose Duke.

The Office of University Scholars and Fellows helps students and alumni pursue nationally competitive scholarships, fellowships, and academic opportunities that expand their academic, leadership, and global engagement experiences. Through individualized advising, programming, and institutional support, OUSF empowers students to achieve ambitious educational and professional goals while advancing Duke's commitment to excellence and discovery.

At Duke University, you'll join a collaborative community dedicated to student excellence, innovation, and academic achievement. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of exceptional students while working alongside faculty and staff who are committed to developing future leaders and scholars.

Job Code: 00002775 ASSIST DIR, PROGRAMS

Job Level: 11

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $48,899.00 to USD $77,510.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh