Education Lending Origination Coordinator

Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join Harvard University Central Administration? Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals. Harvard University Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU) At Harvard FCU, we believe a brighter world is possible, and that together, we can all help create it. That’s why, since 1939, we’ve helped our members build a strong financial future so they can make an impact in life, wherever it may lead. From students to professionals, from in-branch to online, from new beginnings to lifetime milestones, from Harvard Square to around the world, we deliver the accessible financial tools and resources everyone, everywhere needs to thrive. By coming together to serve, equip, and empower people to make a positive impact in their lives and communities, we’re helping build a more prosperous world for all. Join us! Harvard FCU: https://harvardfcu.org/

Job Description

Reporting to the Educational Lending Manager, the Education Lending Origination Coordinator is responsible for loan origination and provides oversight of the lending pipeline and vendor supported operations. The coordinator helps ensure loans move accurately and efficiently from application through disbursement and servicing handoff, in accordance with underwriting standards, procedures, compliance requirements and service expectations. The coordinator serves as a key resource for members, school partners, and internal teams, and acts as liaison to the credit union’s loan origination provider. In coordination with these stakeholders, the coordinator helps resolve issues, strengthen systems, and improve processes and services that support the effective delivery of the education lending program. The ideal candidate is self-directed, detail-oriented, communicates clearly, exercises sound judgement, and demonstrates a commitment to Harvard FCU’s core values. Job-Specific Responsibilities Loan Origination, Underwriting and Pipeline Support

• Manage the education loan pipeline from application through approval, closing, disbursement, and servicing handoff, ensuring timely processing and adherence to policies, procedures, underwriting standards, and service-level expectations.
• Conduct underwriting reviews of education loan applications by evaluating credit information, supporting documentation, and exceptions against established guidelines; document findings and refer applications or exceptions for approval as required.
• Identify and resolve incomplete, inconsistent, and inaccurate information by coordinating with borrowers, school partners, vendors, and internal teams.
• Prioritize work during high-volume periods to meet processing and disbursement deadlines.
• Provide knowledgeable, professional guidance to borrowers and school partners throughout the application and loan closing process.
• Monitor lending activity and identify trends, issues, and opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, service quality, and the overall client and member experience.

Education Lending Partnerships & Member Support

• Build and maintain strong relationships with school and other education lending partners, serving as a reliable point of contact throughout the loan origination and servicing lifecycle.
• Addresses questions, concerns, and operational needs from members, schools, partner organization, vendors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution.
• Support new and existing partnerships through meetings, loan-closing events, on-campus or virtual support, entrance counseling sessions, and other education lending activities.
• Gather and evaluate partner and member feedback to identify opportunities to improve products, systems, communications, and processes.

Process Improvement, Systems & Vendor Management

• Maintain a strong working relationship with the loan origination vendor and serve as a key contact for system, processing, data, and service issues to help ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of education lending operations.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve application workflows, operational processes, systems, communications, accuracy, and service delivery.
• Work with vendors and internal teams to define requirements, test and implement approved system or process changes, validate results, and monitor post-implementation performance.
• Build proficiency in new systems, products, and processes, and functions and independently move assignments forward, seeking guidance of escalating issues when appropriate.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Maintain current knowledge of Harvard FCU’s educational lending policies, underwriting guidelines, procedures, and applicable regulations, and apply them consistently in loan processing and underwriting.
• Support audits and quality assurance by gathering documentation, preparing reports, and conducting loan file checks for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to requirements, and assists with follow-up and corrective actions.
• Identify and promptly escalate lending, compliance, or operational concerns.
• Maintain accurate records, document member and stakeholder interactions, and complete required lending, compliance, product, and systems training.

Systems, Servicing & Cross-Functional Support

• Maintain working knowledge of core banking, loan origination, servicing, vendor systems, and related tools.
• Research loan exceptions, account discrepancies, and other operational issues and coordinate resolution with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supports loan servicing by responding to member and school inquiries, helping to resolve issues, and assisting with repayment benefit processing.
• Provide education lending guidance and processing support to Retail branches and Support Center staff, and assist with developing and delivering related training.
• Contribute to departmental and cross-functional initiatives that advance Harvard FCU’s education lending programs.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Associate degree, or minimum two years of related postsecondary education or training.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in lending, financial aid, or related banking role, including experience in a high-volume client service environment.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Education lending experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of lending and underwriting principles, including application review, risk assessment, documentation analysis, and application of guidelines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with clients, members, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusted member and partner relationships.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, prioritization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, learn quickly, and move work forward with general direction.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Experience working with vendors or technology partners to communicate requirements, resolve issues, test changes, and support implementations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, applications, and client or member needs in a high-volume environment.
• Experience working effectively with diverse populations.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new systems and processes.
• Ability and willingness to work additional hours during peak periods, and non-traditional schedules as necessary,
• Presentation and facilitation skills.

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule:

• 35 hours per week; 1 day per week (3 days a month) required on-site.
• Monday - Friday
• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (flexible)
• Additional on-site days will be required based on business needs, training, and events.

Visa Sponsorship Information:

• Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening:

• Identity, Education, Credit, Criminal, Prohibited Parties

Other Information:

• Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.
• This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.

Work Format Details This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.