Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

NC State University is recruiting for the Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid in Raleigh, NC. The role provides strategic leadership for scholarship administration, processing and management, while overseeing resources and donor relations to strengthen university scholarship programs.

Leadership of a six-person team, development of processes, and collaboration with campus stakeholders are key to supporting student success and program excellence.

Qualifications

• Must have significant training and experience in financial aid, demonstrate a thorough knowledge of rules and regulations governing state and federal student aid programs.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, along with demonstrated leadership and counseling skills.
• This position requires a keen eye for detail, exceptional organizational and time management skills and strong, positive interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for scholarship administration, processing and management.
• Oversee institutional resources and donor relations to strengthen scholarship programs.
• Develop and enhance financial aid systems, applications, policies and research initiatives.
• Lead and develop professional staff, oversee technical operations and build partnerships across campus to support student success.
• Represent the office on university committees and communicate scholarship policies and procedures.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred)

Job description

Working Title

Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid

Anticipated Hiring Range

Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Job Location

Raleigh, NC

Department

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

About the Department

The mission of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is to deliver a quality, affordable education to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid administers a comprehensive array of programs (need and merit-based) to more than 22,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students annually, committing and disbursing in excess of $350 million per year.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

As the Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for scholarship administration, processing and management. In this role you will play a key role in advancing the university’s scholarship programs by overseeing institutional resources, strengthening business processes and ensuring effective management of scholarship funds. Working as a member of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid leadership team, the role contributes to the development and enhancement of financial aid systems, applications, policies and research initiatives. The role also leads and develops professional staff, oversees technical operations and builds strong partnerships across campus to support effective scholarship administration and student success.

Scholarship Processing and Management

• Leads the administration and oversight of scholarship programs and processes within the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, ensuring accurate and effective management of university scholarship funds.
• Directs the selection and awarding process for a growing portfolio of university-wide scholarships, partnering with University Advancement to establish funds, define award criteria, coordinate recipient selection and notification, and manage renewal requirements.
• Oversees the identification and resolution of scholarship funding errors and discrepancies, ensuring accurate records at both the student and fund levels.
• Coordinates data analysis, reporting and information requests related to scholarship requirements, fund management and donor relations.
• Reviews proposed scholarship fund agreements and evaluates award parameters to ensure they can be effectively supported within the university’s student information system.
• Serves as a trusted resource and strategic partner to colleges, departments and university stakeholders, providing guidance on scholarship awarding, recipient selection, fund management, and donor relations.
• Evaluates the technology and system needs of scholarship programs and staff, recommending software solutions and enhancements that improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery.

Team Supervision and Leadership

• Leads and supervises a team of six scholarship professionals, providing direction, coaching and support for scholarship processing, administration and program operations.
• Establishes training and oversight practices that strengthen staff knowledge, promote consistent processes and support effective resolution of complex financial aid and scholarship matters.
• Provides leadership and guidance on nonstandard scholarship and financial aid situations, helping staff navigate complex issues and deliver accurate, timely outcomes.

Outreach and Engagement

• Represents the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid through university-wide outreach and engagement initiatives, delivering presentations and communicating scholarship policies, processes and opportunities to campus and external audiences.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with colleges, academic departments and external scholarship programs, serving as a liaison and providing guidance on effective awarding practices, recipient selection and fund management.
• Represents the office on university committees, including the Teaching Fellows Program, Scholarships and Student Aid, and Athletics Compliance, contributing operational expertise and supporting the development and implementation of university policies.

If you are an experienced professional with a background in scholarship administration, team leadership and financial aid operations, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the university’s scholarship programs. Join the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in strengthening scholarship processes, supporting campus partnerships and helping ensure institutional resources are effectively managed to support student success.

Other Responsibilities

• Evaluate student eligibility for financial aid and determine appropriate financial assistance and funding commitments.
• Advise students and families on special circumstances that may affect their ability to finance a university education.
• Develop and deliver educational programs that help students and families understand financial aid options, application processes and loan repayment.
• Partner with University offices to communicate financial aid policies and procedures, support policy development and advance new financial aid programs.
• Represent the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid on University committees, contributing financial aid expertise to campus policy discussions.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) and a minimum of two years of current, professional, higher education financial aid administration experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Must have significant training and experience in financial aid, demonstrate a thorough knowledge of rules and regulations governing state and federal student aid programs
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, along with demonstrated leadership and counseling skills.
• This position requires a keen eye for detail, exceptional organizational and time management skills and strong, positive interpersonal skills.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to effectively work with faculty, students, parents, guidance counselors, donors and university colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of current, professional, higher education financial aid administration experience.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft including expertise in query and reporting tools.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

No

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

320301 – Sch & Fin Aid Administration

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.