Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy

Position Details

Classification Information

Classification Title

***New Job Title

Position Information

Position Title

Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy

Position Number

Department

Financial Aid

Job Description Summary

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts
Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy

* NES , a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting Wentworth Institute of Technology in their search for a Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy .

https://nessearches.com/finacial-lit-wit/

To arrange for a confidential conversation, please contact Catherine Capolupo, catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com or Suzi Nam suzi.nam@nessearches.com .

To apply, please send the following items: 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest, and 3) contact information for five professional references by email to: wit@nessearches.com. For assurance of full consideration, please submit application materials no later than April 7, 2023. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. All applications and nominations will be considered confidential and notice will be given before references are contacted. The Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy is expected to start during the summer of 2023.


To offer the most transformative learning environment and meet growing student expectations in a competitive market, Wentworth must provide the highest quality of services in response to all aspects of student needs. The university should make immediate, meaningful, student-centered changes that ensure our students are well served.
-Wentworth Institute of Technology, Strategic Plan, Goal 1


Wentworth Institute of Technology is seeking an experienced, collaborative, student-centered financial aid professional to assume the role of Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy ( DOFL ). Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Financial Services, the DOFL will bring creativity and excitement to the Student Financial Literacy (LeopardCents) program, manage both the Satisfactory Academic Progress ( SAP ) and merit award renewal processes, and lead the office’s evolving work in customer service. In addition, the DOFL will supervise two, possibly three, financial aid counselors.

The DOFL will oversee the division’s Financial Aid and Literacy Outreach efforts, partnering closely with the Dean of Undergraduate Admission and campus constituents in coordinating special funding programs and offering financial aid and financial literacy education in the greater Boston community. This individual will have the opportunity to assess current outreach and financial literacy practices, programs, initiatives, and pilot new approaches to Wentworth’s efforts to reach, educate, and serve students across diverse backgrounds.

Within the Office of Student Financial Services, the Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy will offer an exceptional experience to students and families navigating the financial aid process. The Director will provide training across the division in the application of financial aid guidelines, process, and regulations, and provide expertise on the evolving needs, behaviors, and challenges of today’s students and families. As a leader in student financial services, and in the greater Wentworth community, the director will act as a role model, offering positive and thoughtful leadership to all staff members and the WIT community. The new leader will play a pivotal role in making Wentworth’s game-changing degree programs available to students of all backgrounds. The DOFL role is a hybrid one, with the expectation that the Director will join the team in the office, and out in the greater Boston community several times a week.

The DOFL will assume the following roles and responsibilities:
● Evaluate, innovate, and develop the Student Financial Literacy (LeopardCents) program, seeking and responding to the needs and feedback from students, community members, collaborators, and campus stakeholders.
● Supervise and inspire students employed within the LeopardCents program.
● Develop and conduct presentations, communication, and outreach related to financial aid and financial literacy topics.
● Partner with the Boston Public Schools in offering presentations, conversations, and counseling to BPS students and families regarding college costs, financial aid, and financial literacy.
● Address the unique needs of students from a wide range of backgrounds in accessing the literacy programs and initiatives and respond to population specific needs and challenges.
● Foster a strong relationship with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and engage in ongoing dialogue to meet the evolving needs of a diverse student body.
● Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress ( SAP ) and merit award renewal and appeal processes, assuring compliance with state and federal regulations, consistency with institutional process. Address changes required by policy, process, or technology.
● Educate students, staff, and faculty on the meaningful purpose and process by which SAP and merit award renewals and appeals are monitored and guide students through decisions that will impact their academic progress and aid eligibility.
● Serve as one of three directors in offering a solutions-focused, student financial aid office.
● Manage, mentor, and inspire two financial aid professionals, offering opportunities for development, advancement, and growth.
● Partner with student services in the allocation of emergency funds to aid students in need of support for housing, public transportation, and books, and in addressing food insecurity.
● Develop and deliver presentations to a variety of audiences to engage and educate students, families, and community partners on financial aid, financial literacy, and the distinctions and value of a Wentworth education.
● Develop, analyze, and interpret statistical data for timely and consistent reporting.
● Communicate with students and families in an inclusive and equitable style that addresses concerns, and offers support for individual needs.
● Revise established policies and procedures to accommodate changes to better serve students and families, improve efficiency and accuracy, and facilitate the work of the team in responding to families.
● Develop, design, and deliver impactful training programs on financial aid, customer service, and the evolving needs of students and families for staff.
● Identify barriers to access, knowledge, or service for prospective students and families: propose and lead appropriate changes to improve customer service; aid transparency, and communication with students and families.
● Foster collaboration and dialogue between offices and divisions in service to students and families, and further enhancing a positive workspace for staff.

Qualifications & Characteristics
The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree
preferred. In addition, they will have five years of progressive leadership and management experience in financial aid administration with an emphasis on managing an interactive financial literacy program. In addition, the following job-related qualifications represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the successful candidate:
● A deep understanding of the financial aid profession with current knowledge and exemplary compliance of state and federal regulation
● Comprehensive knowledge of financial aid software modules and interfaces
● Experienced in the adaptation of best practices within financial aid and financial literacy to meet the unique needs of Wentworth, the student body, and the greater community
● A student and family centric mindset with a demonstrated understanding of trends in family resources and educational spending and sensitivity and empathy for the individual student
● Proficiency in data analysis, research and financial aid modeling and leveraging
● Familiar and comfortable serving students with a highly personalized approach
● A passion for financial literacy and a sincere desire to remove barriers to education through education and clear communication
● Creative and innovative, with a genuine interest in fostering a vibrant financial literacy program and a responsive, customer-service focused culture
● Demonstrated ability to work independently and to maintain confidentiality
● Effective leadership and managerial skills to train and oversee staff who perform a variety of functions within regulatory compliance
● Experienced managing professional staff with a history of staff development and retention
● Ability to evaluate, create, innovate, and improve processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness in all manual and electronic processes and reporting and for the benefit of customer service
● Deep appreciation, commitment, and ability to articulate the mission and core values of Wentworth
● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms
● Emphasis on customer service and possessing a strong student orientation
● Collaborative team player with the ability to work in a high stress, deadline-driven environment; able to infuse daily work with levity and balance and ability to achieve and celebrate success
● Excellent written and verbal communication
● Exceptional listener with strong relational skills
● Engaging presenter, able to connect and inspire a wide variety of audiences
● Demonstrated ability to develop programming and presentations to meet the specific needs of diverse audiences, making financial information accessible
● Personable, approachable, and accessible to team members, students, families, and other members of the community and its partners
● Commitment to innovation with the ability to implement creative and new approaches for achieving goals
● Strong technical, organizational, and data management skills experience with Banner is preferred
● Positive and collaborative spirit and a motivated, solution-oriented, enthusiastic work style
● Ability to build positive relationships in a complex, fast-paced environment with collegiality and humor.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology was founded in 1904 “to furnish education in the mechanical arts.” Today, Wentworth serves a diverse student population from 30 states and 70 countries. Just under 4,000 undergraduates pursue associate, certificate and bachelor’s degrees in 22 disciplines and 18 degree programs across engineering, technology, design, and management. Graduate students may pursue 12 master’s degrees or take advantage of certificate programs. Wentworth is host to five schools of Architecture & Design, Computing & Data Science, Engineering, Management, and Sciences & Humanities.

The hallmark of a Wentworth education remains the robust co-op program. Students gain hands-on experience, a depth of learning, and valuable networking opportunities, with over 30% leading directly to an offer of employment. Wentworth is also highly regarded for its community service and support for the economic growth of the region.

Wentworth is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium and shares many facilities and activities with nearby institutions. With this membership, Wentworth students are entitled to register for courses with participating neighboring institutions at no additional cost.
Wentworth Institute of Technology’s ranked #40 among the Best Colleges in Regional Universities North. Just over 80% of the incoming students live on campus in 9 residence halls, with the opportunity to live in themed housing. The Leopards 16 Division III athletic teams compete in the Commonwealth Coast league.

Boston, Massachusetts
For Wentworth students, Boston is both their home and their classroom. The campus sits on 31-acres conveniently located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston and within walking distance of cultural, educational, sports and medical hubs. Access to the entirety of the city via public transportation allows students to pursue internships, co-ops, and careers with some of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies, non-profits, and start-ups in the Northeast.
Wentworth sits on the boundaries of several historic and diverse neighborhoods—Mission Hill, Roxbury, Fenway—in Boston. These neighborhoods are rich with opportunities for students to learn and grow. Whether working side-by-side with Boston K-12 schools to redesign learning spaces or documenting the hidden history of Roxbury, Wentworth students benefit from the real-world experience of collaborating with their neighbors. In addition, the neighborhoods benefit from the commerce that the school, faculty, staff and students bring to local businesses.

Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth:
Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all University programs and activities. The University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status or any other category protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Preferred Education

Minimum Work Experience Required

5+ years of experience

Preferred Work Experience

Minimum Knowledge Required

Working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to use in varied situations.

Preferred Knowledge

Advertised Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree
5+ Years of experience
A deep understanding of the financial aid profession with current knowledge and exemplary compliance of state and federal regulation

Advertised Preferred Qualifications

Salary Range

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S00796

Job Category

Professional
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