Assistant Director, MBA Financial Aid

Harvard University

$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience
  • Experience with Technolutions Slate and PowerFAIDS strongly preferred
  • Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
  • Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion
  • Proven project and/or program management skills.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct need analysis and package aid awards for second-year MBA students
  • Review additional aid requests and communicate decisions to students
  • Package fellowships for continuing students
  • Manage financial aid for Independent Field Courses
  • Counsel students on financial aid policies and procedures
  • Assure compliance and operations through audits and reporting
  • Manage financial aid-related SLATE communications and system tools.

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance 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
  • Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

Join our Financial Aid team and make a meaningful impact on MBA students' educational journeys. Reporting to the Director, Financial Aid, you'll help students navigate financial aid options, ensure accurate and timely aid packaging, and support our commitment to making an HBS education accessible and affordable. You'll serve as a trusted resource to students, colleagues, and partners across Harvard, balancing detailed analytical work with strong customer service. If you thrive in a collaborative environment where operational excellence and student support go hand-in-hand, we'd love to have you join us.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Counseling & Awarding
  • Conduct institutional need analysis and package financial aid awards for a caseload of second-year MBA students.
  • Review requests for additional aid, exercising professional judgment and communicating decisions and guidance to students.
  • Package complementary fellowships for continuing students.
  • Manage financial aid administration for Independent Field Courses.
  • Counsel students on financial aid policies and procedures.
  • Make presentations to students or new admits as required.

Operations, Compliance & Reporting
  • Support financial aid compliance and operations by assisting with audits, reporting, quality assurance initiatives, and adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations.
  • Support federal loan processing and related operations, serving as a key resource and backup for loan administration activities.
  • Manage and process stipends for all MBA students.
  • Analyze and assess reports in the HU Student Financial Services (SFS) system and HBS systems and take appropriate action related to compliance and reporting.
  • Collaborate with SFS on annual fund mapping.

Technology, Systems & Process Improvement
  • Manage all financial aid-related SLATE communications and system tools.
  • Collaborate across the financial aid team to identify process improvements, implement technology solutions, and enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
  • Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
  • Other Duties as assigned.


Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
  • Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Prior experience with Technolutions Slate and PowerFAIDS (or similar systems) strongly preferred.
  • Excellent organizational, communications, writing, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and contribute as member of team.
  • Capacity to handle complex and confidential information with discretion.
  • Proven project and/or program management skills.
  • Demonstrated facility with technology.


Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Credit
  • Other Information:
    • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday - Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
    • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
    • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.


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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.

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