Assistant Director, Admissions & Financial Aid

About the role

The Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid plays a vital dual role within HGSE’s Admissions & Aid team, supporting the development, delivery, and evaluation of strategies and processes that attract, enroll, and support a talented, diverse student body. This position independently manages a range of admissions and financial aid activities, with a strong focus on application evaluation, financial counseling, awarding, and operational systems support.

Responsibilities

• Admissions (30%)
  • Develop and execute a portfolio of domestic recruitment initiatives and contribute to the full-cycle admissions process—from marketing and recruitment to yield and matriculation—with a primary focus on experienced professionals across the U.S.
  • Counsel and advise prospective students about application processes, degree programs, and HGSE’s offerings; represent HGSE at recruitment events on-campus, off-campus, and virtually.
  • Evaluate and recommend candidates for admission using discretion and sound judgment for a portfolio of degree programs.
  • Propose and implement innovative recruitment events, contacts, resources, and partnerships; monitor data and trends to assess recruitment and yield efforts and recommend operational improvements.
  • Support the Financial Certification process for admitted international students to ensure timely documentation and compliance.
• Financial Aid (70%)
  • Independently conduct institutional and federal needs analysis and award financial aid by evaluating complex financial information; manage a caseload of approximately 300 students through recruitment, awarding, enrollment, and graduation, including financial counseling and planning.
  • Manage financial aid refund and student account processing.
  • Assist with management of the Direct Loan program, which includes NSLDS review and SOR processes for part-time students.
  • Review appeals and requests for additional aid; communicate outcomes and provide clear guidance to students.
  • Manage federal verification and related eligibility resolution processes, including review of conflicting information, documentation requirements, database matches, and other federal student aid eligibility issues; counsel students on requirements and resolve complex cases.
  • Assist in developing, testing, and enhancing financial aid management systems (e.g., PowerFAIDS) and integrations with other university systems; analyze and test algorithms and business processes for packaging, compliance, communications, and reporting.
  • Manage multiple fellowship programs in parallel with admissions activities, including fund management, recruitment, application, and selection processes; develop and update related policies and workflows.
  • Support annual audit reporting, compliance, quality assurance, and financial aid operations in line with federal, state, and institutional policies.
  • Contribute to the development and evaluation of communications strategies and materials related to aid; support students in financial literacy, debt management, and financial planning.
  • Assist in training and onboarding of seasonal staff or graduate assistants as needed.