Assistant Director of Financial Aid
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Why join Harvard Medical School?
Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.
You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.
Job Description
The Financial Aid Office at Harvard Medical School provides comprehensive financial counseling and support to more than 650 M.D. students, as well as students enrolled in HMS master’s programs. The office administers a $42 million M.D. financial aid program designed to reduce financial barriers to an HMS education. Funding is derived from a combination of institutional, federal, and private sources. More than $20 million in institutional need-based scholarship funding is awarded annually to HMS students, along with over $2 million in institutional need-based loan funds. Eligibility for institutional aid requires a thorough assessment of both student and parental financial resources. In addition, the office supports approximately 275 master’s students through the administration of federal financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Office is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service while fostering a positive, supportive, and team-oriented work environment. The Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in delivering a student-centered, service-driven financial aid experience. This position oversees frontline operations, enhances customer engagement strategies, and ensures that all interactions with students and families are clear, supportive, and compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Assistant Director partners across campus to improve access, communication, and the overall financial aid experience, recognizing that effective service is critical to student recruitment, retention, and success. The role also involves developing and delivering presentations and educational sessions for M.D. and master’s students on topics such as loan repayment, entrance counseling, financial literacy, and programming for events including Accepted Student Preview Days.
- Manages a caseload of M.D. and master’s students, with responsibilities that include need analysis, financial aid packaging, and debt counseling.
- Performs initial screening of financial aid application materials. Maintains databases. Triages financial aid questions from applicants and current students. Serves as information source, responds to email inquiries, and prepares correspondence. Handles sensitive and confidential applicant information.
- Prepares quarterly and end-of-year reports for Director of Financial Aid concerning financial status of the department. Ensures the effective management of account spending.
- Oversees Financial Aid Office budget/fiscal operations, which includes purchasing and inventory tracking of office supplies and equipment.
- Supports the coordination and execution of operational initiatives and special projects within the Financial Aid Office, including managing scheduling and prioritization of meetings and engagements.
- Represent Harvard Medical School at university-wide Financial Aid Administrators monthly meetings. Collaborate with colleagues around the University to ensure efficient operations.
- Collaborate closely with Director to develop and maintain debt management and financial literacy education initiatives for HMS students. Participate in developing University-wide financial education initiatives.
- Within all areas of responsibility, assist the Director in ensuring that the Office of Financial Aid operates as part of a dynamic and interdependent system of student service professionals to consistently evaluate and improve the quality-of-service HMS provides to its student community.
As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience as a financial aid professional to include counseling, institutional need analysis and data management experience managing budgets strongly preferred.
- Strong technological learning to include technical project management on the business side and strong comfort working with relational databases.
- Strong counseling skills both one-on-one and in group settings; superb written, oral and presentation skills. Broad technological proficiencies including function-specific tools.
- Powerfaids and Peoplesoft experience, excellent organizational skills, stay current with emerging technologies, trends, policies and regulations in the field.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
- Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.
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Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.