JOB OPENING

The National Center for College Costs, a college access organization based in Greencastle, Indiana, seeks a motivated project manager to help direct two exciting new projects already under development. The entrepreneurial firm has been providing programs and products to help students and parents better understand and navigate the college financial aid and admission processes for over 11 years. Well known throughout Indiana and with clients in other states too, the company is poised to launch two new web-based applications that articulate key college cost and affordability messages to large populations of students and parents.

Our Net Price Calculator (NPC): The National Center for College Costs’ newest product is the Net Price Calculator, a customizable tool that allows students and their families to gather estimates of “net price” at individual colleges. The term “net price” refers to an estimate of what a student might pay to attend a college or university, after subtracting financial aid from the cost of attendance. As of October 29, 2011, all colleges and universities serving first-time, full-time undergraduate students across the country will be required by the federal government to post a Net Price Calculator on their websites.

The Indiana College Costs Estimator: At their June 11, 2010 meeting, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education agreed to a two-year statewide license of the online Indiana College Costs Estimator (ICCE) we will build over the next six months. Among other things, families will be able to obtain their Expected Family Contributions under the federal formula, then do side-by-side comparisons of their estimated federal, state and institutional (merit and/or need-based) financial aid at various Indiana public and independent colleges and universities. They also will be able to store their data, run hypothetical scenarios, download web pages and PDF’s on a number of college selection and financial aid topics, and more.

Key responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Developing an in-depth knowledge of the company’s offerings, key benefits and unique value proposition, including the genesis of and vision for the new applications under development
• Developing an understanding of the higher education industry, particularly as it relates to college financial aid and admission functions, if not already possessed
• Tracking developments within the higher education sector and the possible implications of such changes for the company’s offerings
• Working with the company’s software development partner to refine specifications for the new web-based applications, test the system, and enhance functionality
• Working with key stakeholders to promote adoption and utilization of the new software offerings
• Responding to colleges’ inquiries with regard to the new software products; working with colleges and the development partner to customize solutions beyond core functionality
• Providing training on the functionality of the new software applications
• Participating in a small team focused on improving college access for all students through unique program and product offerings

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with multiple constituencies on projects requiring prioritization and strong project management
• College degree

Skills and Abilities

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and to set/manage priorities
• Professional and courteous, with the ability to read and respond to situations involving multiple stakeholders in a timely and professional fashion
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Prior experience designing and/or deploying software applications preferred
• Prior experience with college financial aid systems desired
• Grant writing experience is a plus

For more information on the National Center for College Costs, visit our website:
www.collegecosts.com

Contact Details

Please apply by sending your résumé and letter of interest to:

By email: info@collegecosts.com

The review of applicants will begin on Monday, August 9, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.