Sr Assoc Dir Financial Aid Communications & Student Experience

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

Job summary

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy is seeking a Senior Associate Director of Programs, Communications and the Student Experience. This hybrid role will be on campus at least 2 days a week and will supervise staff, manage a diverse student caseload, and drive financial aid initiatives across Tufts campuses.

You will oversee funding programs like QuestBridge and REAL, coordinate presentations and communications, and collaborate with Admissions and student services to reach

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of financial aid experience with knowledge of federal regulations and policies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, financial aid system software, and student information systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, plus strong public speaking ability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee advising and counseling approach for students and families, guiding staff through complex cases.
• Lead for targeted student populations to ensure tailored information and outreach.
• Supervise staff, delegate work, and manage hiring, training, and performance development.
• Participate in long-term strategic planning and policy/procedure development.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Federal financial aid regulations

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

PowerFaids

PeopleSoft

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.