Associate Director – Financial Aid

Associate Director – Financial Aid

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in financial aid leadership
• Minimum of 3 years’ Federal Student Aid experience in areas such as verification, “C” code clearance, and Professional Judgments
• Experience with student financial services model preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Clear understanding of federal regulations regarding Satisfactory Academic Performance (SAP), Professional Judgment, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) policies
• Working knowledge of enrollment management best practices
• Ability to interpret and implement federal and state regulations and institutional policies
• Familiarity with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I financial aid compliance regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with staff and students
• Highly organized with the ability to direct multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to use good judgment and think critically
• Proficiency with general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and financial aid software

Responsibilities

• Monitors productivity of staff to ensure consistent efficiency and high performance
• Identifies day-to-day operations issues and implements solutions promptly to ensure efficient service delivery
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of financial aid advisors and financial aid team leads, ensuring consistent customer service, counseling, and financial planning techniques are utilized
• Creates and updates training materials to support the implementation of new and existing financial aid procedures in compliance with federal, state, and University policies and procedures
• Coordinates and oversees student communications, including email notifications, announcements, and nudging efforts, ensuring students receive accurate and timely financial aid information
• Manages the department’s website updates, ensuring information is current, clear, and accessible
• Ensures exceptional customer service is provided by financial aid advisors through continuous training, coaching, and support
• Ensures compliance with University and departmental policies and procedures, maintaining proper documentation of internal processes
• Establishes long- and short-term strategic goals based on assessment data and ensures standards for the department and its field are met or exceeded
• Adapts and modifies leadership based on new information and/or data; works to set and unite people on the new direction
• Utilizes effective strategies to build collaboration for maximum execution
• Aligns division/department purpose and actions with relevant University initiatives and higher education trends
• Leads the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office in areas of service
• Identifies areas of improvement and acts as a change agent
• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values
• Recruits, interviews, recommends, welcomes, observes, and monitors performance of department staff
• Conducts annual employee evaluations based on evidence, observation, and feedback
• Communicates current SFS policies to the financial aid team
• Creates clear scheduling for financial aid advisors and team leads, ensuring students receive timely service
• Provides training, autonomy, and resources to enable staff to meet job expectations
• Sets clear performance expectations and holds employees accountable
• Ensures team participation and support for Admissions events

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred
• Experience with student financial services model preferred