Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid

Tufts University; Medford Hillside (MA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University is seeking a Senior Associate Director of Programs, Communications and the Student Experience to oversee the Office of Financial Aid's programs, communications, and student support. This role leads staff, manages key aid programs, and collaborates with Admissions to align outreach with student success.

This hybrid position requires strategic planning, regulatory acumen, and a commitment to serving diverse student populations while ensuring compliant, high-quality service

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 8+ years of financial aid experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations and policies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and financial aid systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and public speaking.
• Familiarity with PowerFaids, Peoplesoft, and Institutional Methodology.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise staff; manage hiring and professional development.
• Oversee federal work-study programs and VA benefits; ensure compliance.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives; report to leadership.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Public speaking

Staff leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

PowerFaids

Peoplesoft

Institutional Methodology

Job description

Overview

The Office of Financial Aid administers financial aid and work study for all undergraduate and graduate students across the Tufts University School of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering, and School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts. The financial aid staff provides personalized counseling and support to students and families throughout the financial aid process. The Office of Financial Aid is part of the Student Services division and works closely with the Office of Admissions to support prospective and enrolled students.

What You'll Do

The Senior Associate Director of Programs, Communications and the Student Experience provides advanced expertise and oversight of specialized financial aid programs and provides leadership and supervision to staff. Provides strategic input and operational perspective to the Director and Associate Dean and collaborates with fellow Senior Associate Directors to implement departmental priorities, projects, and initiatives. This role supervises a team of professionals who are responsible for financial aid programs like QuestBridge and the REAL program, publications, internal and external communications, work study, and Veteran Affairs. This role will also be responsible for a student caseload. This is a hybrid position that is expected to be on campus at least 2 days a week, and as needed for events, etc.

• Oversees the office's student advising and counseling approach, including guiding staff on complex cases, counseling students and families through the financial aid process, and resolving escalated concerns.
• Serves as the office's lead for select populations of students and families, ensuring they receive tailored information, outreach and support.
• Oversees, delegates and monitors staff work and performance and manages hiring, training, and performance development opportunities for staff.
• Participates in long term strategic planning and assists with policy and procedure development.
• Provides oversight of the federal and Tufts Work-Study programs, including employer relationships, hiring department partnerships, and compliance with federal work-study allocations and community service requirements.
• Ensures successful administration of undergraduate VA benefits administration and fulfills the responsibilities as Tufts' School Certifying Official (SCO).
• Oversees the design and delivery of financial aid presentations, the office website, and written and digital communications.
• Independently leads financial aid projects and initiatives. Manages project plans and deliverables, develops and presents reports to the Director and Associate Dean.
• Collaborates with other offices, such as Admissions and student services partners, to coordinate outreach and communications to prospective and enrolled students.
• Manages an assigned caseload of applicants/students. Counsels and advises students, awards and certifies loans, problem solves issues and monitors accounts.
• Duties as assigned

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 8+ years of financial aid experience, and comprehensive understanding of federal regulations and policies
• Microsoft Office, financial aid system software, and student information systems are essential
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in addition to public speaking skills are required to clearly convey complex information
• comprehensive understanding of federal regulations and policies
• Microsoft Office, financial aid system software, and student information systems are essential
• Excellent communications and public speaking skills are required to clearly convey complex information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree
• Experience with Institutional Methodology, PowerFaids, Peoplesoft. Familiarity with funding for non-traditional programs and expert knowledge of governing regulations
• Experience in student advising, special populations, web and communications, and training and development

Pay Range

Minimum $81,200.00, Midpoint $101,600.00, Maximum $120,900.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.