Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success (EMSS), and responsible for the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarship, Drexel Central (the university’s one-stop shop), and Bursar. The Vice President will partner closely with colleagues in the Enrollment Management and Student Success division to drive NTR strategy to meet revenue and enrollment goals at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels for both online and on-campus. This leader will join Drexel as the University is reshaping this division to create an enrollment and student success strategy that is forward-thinking, innovative, and dynamic, maintaining academic quality and moving Drexel to higher levels of institutional distinction. This position represents a significant opportunity to help shape the vision for financial aid leveraging, scholarship, student retention, and student success to achieve the institution's overall goals and objectives.
The vice president, together with the senior vice president, other members of EMSS and University colleagues, will craft an institutional financial aid and scholarship strategy that supports the University's evolving strategic enrollment plan. They will also ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and all effective and responsible business practices. They will provide information and support on federal and state issues to the Office of the President, the Office of the General Counsel, the Senior Vice President, and others. When called upon, they will represent the University on the state and federal level. The Vice President will focus on best practices in student support while balancing the fiscal needs of the institution. The individual is expected to be creative and empowered to make bold moves supporting institutional goals.
The Vice President will lead proactively, utilizing strategic tools to shape an increasingly competitive undergraduate student body and support a division that creates the framework for the optimal Drexel student experience. They will continue developing a culture of service, student assistance, and University-wide collaboration while ensuring appropriate budgetary oversight. The Vice President will supervise a staff of approximately 56 positions, including professional and support staff, and oversee an operating budget of approximately $250,000 in addition to endowed funding of $12 million annually and a federal financial aid budget over $350 million.
This is a hybrid position, expected to working primarily in-person.
Essential Functions
- Serve as an innovative and strategic contributor to the leadership team in the Enrollment Management and Student Success division.
- Lead Drexel in the development of the optimal 21st-century financial aid, scholarship, net tuition strategy, enrollment targeting, collections, and student accounts program.
- Enhance communication around financial aid, verification, scholarship, and loan procedures as well as bill payment, collections, and net tuition revenue.
- Support the acquisition and implementation of any new systems, tools, and technology to help enhance the University's ability to meet the financial aid needs of current and new students.
- Analyze quantitative data and shape strategic directions with integrity.
- Regularly assess the effectiveness of Drexel policies around financial aid, scholarships, billing, and student support programs; make appropriate adjustments to lead proactive and responsive efforts to market forces and University needs.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations while managing of all University, state, and federal student aid programs; serve as the DOE designated chief financial aid officer.
- Represent the University at professional meetings and consortia, maintaining relationships through state and national conversations on student financial aid needs, the changing post-secondary education environment, and at professional meetings and consortia.
- Maintain active knowledge and support for the central ethos of a Drexel education, mission, and character.
- Advocate for the personal and intellectual qualities expected of members of the University community.
- Maintain a strategic vision for the future of financial aid and enrollment/student success at Drexel.
- Articulate and remain persuasive with both internal and external audiences including faculty, trustees, alumni, parents, prospective and current students, guidance counselors, legislators, etc.
- Develop a cohesive working relationship between the offices supervised, as well as campus partners.
- Serve as an expert in financial aid and enrollment, leading community-wide conversations and working in unison to execute the vision of University leadership.
- Partner with the Drexel community, including colleagues, faculty, students, parents, alumni, trustees, etc. to advance the enrollment effort.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of a Master’s Degree and 8 years of senior-level leadership experience in financial aid/services in higher education or Equivalent.
- Progressive and complex financial aid and enrollment management-related experience.
- Ability to lead the financial aid function in support of institutional goals and objectives.
- Ability and willingness to have difficult conversations in a supportive way.
- Knowledge and understanding of industry best practices that direct state and federal funding.
- Experience developing financial aid models in support of student success, net tuition revenue, and an outstanding student experience.
- Ability to think analytically and consider the holistic impact of admissions and financial aid outcomes on the University.
- Experience managing complex budgets and assessing the effectiveness of financial aid funding models.
- Ability to motivate and empower staff to execute decisions with good judgment and responsiveness.
- Ability to learn and utilize technological innovations.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
- Ability to have developmental, frank and student-centered conversations with staff while maintaining a sense of mission and engagement.
- Ability to maintain honesty, sincerity, and integrity.
- Ability to partner with and educate University constituents and stakeholders on industry trends.
- Ability to travel regionally and domestically as needed.
- Valid Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree.
- 10 years of senior-level experience within a comprehensive enrollment management/student services division.
- Experience participating in the state, regional, and national level management of financial assistance, and student enrollment and success.
- Ability to understand, motivate, and work effectively with individuals interested attracting, shaping, retaining, and graduating Drexel students.
- Ability and willingness to be a thought leader within Enrollment Management and Student Success.
- Ability to harness emerging technologies for best use within all student financial service and enrollment management functions; robust assessment of best-in-market tools for efficient and accurate awarding of aid and scholarships.
- Personal presence that is warm, active, and engaged.
- Ability to exhibit resilience, a positive attitude and sense of humor.
Location
Hybrid/University City, Philadelphia PA
Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade Q. Compensation for this grade ranges from $162,030 - $243,040 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.
We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.
You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.
Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.
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