Sr Assoc Dir Financial Aid Communications & Student Experience

Tufts University; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University is recruiting a senior leader for the Office of Financial Aid in Medford, MA. The role oversees student advising, staff supervision, and compliance with federal regulations across Tufts' programs.

You will guide strategic initiatives, manage work-study and VA benefits, and coordinate outreach with Admissions and student services. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years in financial aid; a Master’s degree and experience with PowerFaids/PeopleSoft are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 8+ years of financial aid experience; strong regulatory knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including public speaking.
• Preferred: Master's degree; experience with institutional methodology systems and federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversees student advising and counseling approach for financial aid processes.
• Leads staff hiring, training, performance development, and case management.
• Participates in strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of work-study programs.
• Manages the office's communications, presentations, and website content.
• Acts as Tufts' School Certifying Official (SCO) and oversees VA benefits administration.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerFaids

PeopleSoft

Student information systems

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

• 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

• 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.