Assistant Director

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and data-informed guidance for university scholarship programs, ensuring compliance, effective fund utilization, and support of enrollment and student success goals.

Job Description

Scholarship Administration and Oversight

Oversees the coordination and awarding of nearly $5,000,000 in departmental scholarships annually, ensuring compliance with over 2,370 donor agreements and university policy.

Serves as a liaison to over 80 university departments and 20 external organizations, providing expert guidance and exceptional customer service.

Analyzes scholarship data, identifies underutilized funds, and implements solutions such as additional training, criteria updates, or reporting needs to ensure donor and institutional resources are fully and effectively used.

Directs concierge-level, divisional yield, grant-funded, and recruitment-based scholarship initiatives to advance enrollment and retention goals, ensuring meticulous documentation and full compliance with institutional and donor requirements.

Leads calculation and coordination of Match the Promise (MTP) and related replacement processes, optimizing over $2,000,000 in institutional funds through donor resources.

Provides strategic guidance and recommendations to university leadership on scholarship policies, fund utilization, and process improvements.

Training, Communication, and Campus Engagement

Builds and sustains strong partnerships with departments and external partners by providing responsive, data-informed support that promotes fiscal accountability, improves workflow efficiency, and upholds compliance with university and donor standards, while contributing to long-term process innovation and system enhancements.

Develops and delivers annual and ad hoc training for departments and campus partners, including presentations, videos, and documentation, while maintaining communication strategies such as newsletters, fiscal year timelines, and policy / process updates to promote clarity, consistency, and compliance across the university.

Leads cross-functional initiatives to optimize scholarship operations, partnering with Advancement, leadership, and departments to address challenging awards and support alignment with institutional priorities.

Policy, Process, and Operational Leadership

Develops and maintains departmental policies and procedures related to scholarship administration, emphasizing accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Contributes to ongoing process innovation, system improvements, and strategic planning within the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Supports enrollment, retention, and student success objectives by ensuring effective scholarship distribution and utilization of donor and institutional resources.

Provides operational support and serves as backup for Slate email communications, expenditure plan processing, and other critical functions to ensure continuity of service.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Associate’s Degree and one year of related experience, or two years of experience in operations, technology, or a business environment.

Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills to manage large volumes of funds, awards, and reporting.

Preferred Qualifications :

A Master's Degree or Bachelor’s Degree and one year of experience;

Experience in financial aid administration.

Proficiency in project management, data analysis, and process improvement.

Experience in higher education.

Key Competencies and Attributes :

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex processes and priorities effectively.

Analytical and data-driven, with expertise in scholarship data analysis, auditing, and reporting to support strategic decision-making.

Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills, building effective relationships with departments, divisions, and external partners.

Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently or as part of a team.

Required Application Documents

resume and cover letter