Assistant Director of Awards and Funding

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Awards and Funding is a member of the School of Social Work’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs' department and serves as an integral part of the Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid (RAFA) team, supporting Master’s of Social Work (MSW) graduate students across online and on-the-ground programs. This role reports to the Assistant Dean of Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid. The position plays an essential part in advancing the School’s mission by overseeing school-level scholarships and financial aid, equitable awarding practices, and student financial well-being initiatives.

The Assistant Director develops, implements, and continually refines a comprehensive funding model and award matrix that aligns with institutional priorities, donor intent, and principles of fairness and transparency. The position chairs the School’s Scholarship Committee and manages the full lifecycle of the annual scholarship process, including application design, applicant communications, reviewer coordination, holistic evaluation, selection decisions, award notifications, and post-cycle assessment. The Assistant Director will also oversee the nomination process for UNC Graduate School awards. As the School’s primary liaison to the University’s Office of Scholarships & Student Aid, the Assistant Director ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while advocating for the unique financial needs of Social Work students. The role also leads the administration of the School’s student emergency fund, overseeing intake, eligibility review, distribution tracking, and timely referrals to campus and community resources for students experiencing financial hardship. The role collaborates with the School’s External Affairs partners to keep financial aid-related materials accurate, accessible, and current, such as web content and digital or print outreach pieces, while ensuring that updates reflect the School’s mission and values. Using a student-centered, high-touch approach, the Assistant Director provides individualized financial aid advising and proactive outreach to social work graduate students upon admission. By helping students anticipate financial barriers, connecting them with resources, and offering support that facilitates informed educational planning, the Assistant Director plays a critical role in supporting yield, strengthening retention, reducing financial stress, and promoting timely degree progress. The role also represents the School at recruitment, admissions, and financial aid-related events across the state, requiring occasional travel to participate in outreach efforts that support prospective student engagement and strengthen statewide partnerships. Through collaboration with faculty, RAFA colleagues, and campus partners, the Assistant Director helps ensure that students receive coordinated support and a positive, well-supported academic experience.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

A relevant post-baccalaureate degree; or a bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience supporting student services/admissions in lieu of the advanced degree.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Excellent communication and advising skills;
• Ability to handle sensitive student situations with discretion and empathy.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience in areas such as scholarships, financial aid, advising, or student services;
• Previous experience with leading committees, partnering with central campus offices, and/or supporting students across online and on-the-ground programs;
• Familiarity with UNC systems and scholarship platforms;
• Knowledge of donor-funded award stewardship practices;
• Experience administering scholarships/awards or financial aid in a higher education setting with strong attention to compliance, and documentation.