Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Executive Director for Student Aid

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Pennsylvania State University seeks an innovative and highly collaborative leader to serve as the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Executive Director for Student Aid.

This individual will be responsible for providing vision, leadership, direction, and management in ensuring financial aid policies, practices, processes, and programs align with and support the achievement of new and returning enrollment goals related to quality, quantity, and net tuition revenue generation across multiple market segments.

This position reports to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and serves as a member of the Vice President's leadership group. Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Lead a staff of 60 in the administration of a comprehensive student financial aid program consisting of federal, state, and institutional financial aid including institutional scholarships, endowments, and grants of approximately $1.5B annually and aligns with achievement of institutional goals and priorities related to access and student success
• Deliver quality, personalized service in all aspects of the administration of financial aid to students, families, and stakeholders
• Ensure that the university has exception-free audits and program reviews by remaining current on all federal and state laws and regulations that pertain to the programs administered by the office. Formulate, implement and/or modify processes and procedures to ensure departmental and university compliance with changing laws and regulations related to federal, state and institutional aid programs.
• Contribute to the accomplishment of enrollment management objectives of the University by developing and recommending data-driven financial aid strategies within the framework of federal, state and institutional regulations that are consistent with those objectives and by administering financial aid, scholarship and student employment programs that support student access and success. Collaborate with Enrollment Management Data Analytics to share and analyze data to meet these objectives.
• Working in partnership with the recently launched Enrollment Services Center, continue to develop, enhance and refine multi-channeled service delivery systems (phone, field, web) that integrate and align people, processes and new and advancing technologies to improve service delivery
• In collaboration with Enrollment Management Marketing and Communications, develop and execute comprehensive financial aid communication and outreach program and accompanying programming that is uniform, cohesive, integrated, personalized for target audience and aligns with university brand standards and institutional objectives
• Architect and administer system to ensure students are informed of their aid eligibility by working with Information Technology and external vendors to collect, evaluate, award, disburse and monitor student financial aid
• Collaborate with other appropriate institutional departments to coordinate programs, services and policies designed to ensure the timely and effective awarding of all types of aid to maximize impact
• Ensure creation of learning organization through development of a competent, productive and effective departmental staff by hiring, training, supervising, and developing cross-trained staff including maintaining strong liaison and training support of campus-level student aid staff that work directly with students at each campus
• Contribute to the development of good financial aid policy at the state and federal level by taking advantage of opportunities for input provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Penn State Office of Governmental Affairs, and other professional associations
• Serve on the Faculty Senate as a university appointed member by the President, including the Faculty Senate Sub Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling and Student Aid, and serve on various other University committees as required

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field
• Five (5) years of senior management experience in financial aid
• Experience with federal, state and internal audits, budget and scholarship management, and federal student aid reports
• Demonstrated understanding and direct experience in utilizing financial aid to advance institutional enrollment goals
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, including Title IV programs and audit/review
• Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to access, equity, and student success

Review of applications will begin on February 20, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. This is an in-person position based at University Park, Pennsylvania.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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