Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Penn GSE

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Penn GSE

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Student Services, Admissions

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director of Recruitment and Financial Aid, the Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid will be an integral part of the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid and contribute to a variety of key functions within the Office. The incumbent will assist with organizing and executing on-campus, off-campus, and virtual events. The Assistant Director will also participate in these various recruitment and yield events and must be able to travel both domestically and internationally. The tracking of event attendance numbers, budget expenditures, and pre-and post-event communications and set-up will be a critical component of the role. Finally, the Assistant Director will work closely with other members of the Admissions team and GSE faculty to review applications for admission consideration to GSE’s graduate programs.

Occasional nights & weekends, as well as some travel, will be required.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Help plan on-campus and virtual events: secure event space; negotiate contracts with caterers; coordinate logistics; coordinate participation from students, alumni, faculty speakers and program staff; and summarize attendance records. Set up registration forms, event communication, and post events in both CRM and on the web. Manage post-event activity, including attendance tracking, communications, and comparative data reports.
• Attend recruitment and yield events representing Penn GSE both on and off-campus, to include domestic and/or international travel.  Deliver admissions and financial aid presentations to prospective and admitted students.  Assist the Director of Recruitment & Financial Aid with the development of future recruitment strategies.
• Review and evaluate admission applications of graduate students for the purpose of making either admissions recommendations or decisions.  Work closely with other members of the Admissions team, GSE program managers and faculty to select candidates for admission.
• Provide financial aid information to prospective and current students.  Counsel students on their overall financial aid offer, loan acquisition and repayment options, and the tuition and billing process.  Answer student inquiries related to their personal financial situation and aid.  Assist in applying scholarship funds to students’ accounts and resolving billing issues.
• Assist prospective students, applicants, and admitted students by responding to their inquiries by email, phone, and in-person.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned