Press Tab to Move to Skip to Content Link

Director, Strategic Financial Aid Initiatives

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is seeking an innovative and strategic leader for the position of Director, Strategic Financial Aid Initiatives . This role will spearhead the development and execution of transformative strategic initiatives in financial aid, setting the direction for the university's financial aid landscape and playing a critical role in achieving the institution's long-term goals. Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost (AVP) for Financial Aid, the Director will collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to align financial aid offerings with institutional academic priorities and enrollment goals, fostering a cohesive and impactful approach to enrollment management.

The candidate will serve as a driving force, providing thought leadership in shaping and advancing the university's overarching enrollment and financial aid strategies, optimizing resources, and fostering a data-driven and collaborative culture across the institution. The position will collaborate closely with admissions and other key areas, ensuring alignment between enrollment goals and financial aid offerings.

The ideal candidate must possess exceptional planning, organizational, analytical, project management, and collaboration skills. They should thrive in fast-paced environments with high performance and productivity expectations. Comprehensive mastery of need-based financial aid principles, coupled with the foresight to anticipate future trends and strategically position the university ahead of the curve. Exceptional interpersonal prowess, complemented by a distinguished track record of architecting and steering high-impact initiatives that have substantially advanced organizational objectives.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic internal financial aid initiatives that support the institution's long-term goals and objectives, emphasizing the recruitment and retention of a diverse and talented student population.
Collaborate with academic divisions, including admissions and financial aid offices, to ensure cohesive recruitment and financial aid strategies.
Advise the AVP for Financial Aid and Enrollment Strategy on strategic planning, providing insights and recommendations to enhance financial aid effectiveness and impact.
Evaluate the performance of financial aid programs and services, using data analytics and research to identify trends and measure the impact of initiatives. Utilize findings to inform data-driven decision-making.
Foster and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and campus partners involved in undergraduate and graduate admissions, enrollment management, and financial aid to leverage collaborative opportunities.
Stay current with national trends in admissions, enrollment management, and financial aid. Recommend and implement best practices aligned with industry standards.
Lead the development of comprehensive data strategies and operational processes to ensure data integrity, consistency, and compliance with regulations, enhancing the data infrastructure and team to support evidence-based decision-making.
Flexible and adaptable to handle other appropriate matters as assigned by the AVP.

Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

Strong understanding of the principles of need-based and merit-based aid.
Seasoned expertise in formulating, championing, and executing strategic plans that have propelled organizations to new heights of excellence.
Organizational savvy, decision-making, and critical thinking skills to navigate high-profile and challenging situations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present insights and reports to senior leadership.
Proven ability to establish and maintain strong relationships, fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Rich experience in the ideation and roll-out of transformative programs, with a flair for innovation and an ability to challenge the status quo.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of tools, and advanced reporting tools such as Tableau and Power BI.
Experience developing and implementing financial aid strategies and managing financial aid resources.

Proven track record of successfully collaborating with schools and departments to address their unique financial aid needs and goals.

Familiarity with financial aid trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to utilize data and metrics to drive decision-making and assess program effectiveness.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Experience with financial aid systems and software.

Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree.
Minimum 7 years direct experience within a financial aid office, with a track record of leadership and project/program management responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of university policy and experience in policy implementation.
Experience working in a fast-paced, diverse environment, specifically within higher education.
Ability to thrive in ambiguous situations, bringing order and direction to complex challenges.
A trailblazer with an innate curiosity and a proven knack for pioneering innovations that reshape the paradigms of financial aid and enrollment management.
Strong organization and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with various departments to achieve strategic objectives.

Classified Title: Director Student Financial Aid
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director, Strategic Financial Aid Initiatives
Role/Level/Range: L/05/LF
Starting Salary Range: Min $97,200 - Max $170,200 Annually ($135,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 8:30 - 5:00
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus Hybrid/Remote
Department name: Student Financial Services
Personnel area: University Student Services

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here:

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion .

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu .

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit .

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

#J-18808-Ljbffr