Director of Merit Scholarship

UMass Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Boston is seeking a Director of Merit Scholarships within the Division of Enrollment Management to provide strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate merit scholarship programs. This role oversees development, administration, and assessment of scholarship strategies, including recruitment, application review, award allocation, and budget oversight.

The role requires collaboration with senior university leadership, ensuring compliance with guidelines, and using data-driven analysis

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with at least 5 years in related roles.
• Master's degree preferred with 5–7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with budget and fund management and CRM systems is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic administration and distribution of merit scholarship funds and oversee ~ $23 million in funding.
• Collaborate with Undergraduate/Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid, and senior leadership to attract and retain high-achieving students.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, donor and university guidelines and optimize scholarship award processes.

Skills

Budget management

CRM systems

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

General Summary:

The Director of Merit Scholarships within the Division of Enrollment Management provides strategic leadership and oversight for the university's undergraduate and graduate merit scholarship programs. This role is responsible for the development, administration, and assessment of scholarship strategies and processes, including recruitment and marketing initiatives, application and selection processes, award allocation, budget oversight, and ongoing fund management.

Serving as the primary steward of merit scholarship resources for the university, the Director collaborates closely with senior university leadership, including Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs, to develop and implement scholarship strategies that support institutional enrollment, retention, advancement and student success goals. The Director provides guidance on scholarship policy, funding utilization, and award optimization to ensure resources are deployed effectively and equitably.

The Director oversees compliance with scholarship requirements, monitors recipient eligibility, and ensures adherence to federal, state, institutional and donor guidelines. The position also serves as the primary liaison to University Advancement, advising on scholarship criteria, donor intent, fund development opportunities, and scholarship program design.

Through data-informed analysis and ongoing assessment, the Director evaluates the effectiveness and return on invetment of scholarship programs, providing recommendations to maximize their impact on enrollment outcomes, student achievement, and the university's strategic priorities.

Examples of Duties:

• Lead the strategic administration and distribution of approximately $23 million in merit scholarship funding, including state waivers, institutional funds, and endowed scholarships, supporting approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students while ensuring compliance with federal, state, donor, and university regulations.
• Partner with Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, Financial Aid, Administration and Finance, and senior university leadership to develop and implement scholarship strategies that attract, enroll, and retain high-achieving students in support of institutional enrollment and student success goals.
• Direct all aspects of continuing student scholarship programs, including marketing, outreach, application review, recipient selection, award determination, and disbursement, to advance student retention, persistence, and degree completion.
• Serve as the primary Enrollment Management liaison to University Advancement on scholarship development and stewardship, providing guidance on new endowed and restricted funds, reviewing gift agreements, and ensuring scholarship criteria align with donor intent and applicable legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements.
• Cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships across the university, including Admissions, academic Deans, the Registrar, Bursar, and administrative units, to optimize scholarship processing and utilization.
• Oversee the fiscal management, expenditure monitoring, and reconciliation of endowed scholarship accounts, collaborating with the Controller's Office, Budget and Financial Planning, and UMass System administration to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and effective stewardship of scholarship resources.
• Exercise independent judgment in interpreting scholarship policies, eligibility requirements, and donor restrictions, ensuring equitable and appropriate recipient selection consistent with university priorities and established award criteria.
• Monitor scholarship recipient academic progress and ongoing eligibility, implementing processes that promote compliance, persistence, and student success.
• Provide guidance and support to scholarship recipients experiencing academic challenges, connecting students with campus resources and interventions designed to support retention and achievement.
• Plan and oversee high-profile scholarship recruitment, recognition, and stewardship events, including scholarship award ceremonies, open houses, admitted student programs, and donor engagement activities, to strengthen recruitment efforts, enhance the student experience, and celebrate scholarship impact.
• Assess the effectiveness and return on investment of merit scholarship programs through data analysis and reporting, providing recommendations that maximize enrollment outcomes and align scholarship expenditures with institutional priorities

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience required. Prior professional experience working in or having knowledge of financial aid guidelines, scholarship awarding procedures and regulations, admissions, recruiting, and/or enrollment management strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree and a minimum of five-seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible relevant experience. Prior experience with budget and fund management and familiarity utilizing student information and CRM systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of various administrative software applications and programs, including Microsoft Office and Excel;
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects simultaneously and balance priorities;
• Ability to manage complex tasks under time constraints, while maintaining strong attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a team capacity with a broad range of staff to accomplish departmental, program and university goals;
• Ability to use independent judgment and be entrusted with confidential information;
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills;
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 34

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] or 617-287-5150.