Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs; Reynolda Park (NC); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University seeks an Office of Student Financial Aid Assistant Director to counsel families, analyze need, and package awards for assigned students. The role oversees program administration, scholarship coordination, and regulatory compliance, with potential remote work as needed.

Strong communication, analytical, and teamwork skills are essential for success. The position supports federal and institutional compliance, returns analysis, and ongoing process improvement, reporting to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in financial aid administration or related higher education setting.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations, study abroad funding models, external scholarships, and donor-supported programs.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; excellent communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team; manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and student information systems; PowerFAIDS experience preferred.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary program manager for an aid program with end-to-end administration.
• Manage receipt, processing, and reconciliation of external scholarships and state grants.
• Administer special scholarship programs with campus partners to determine eligibility.
• Perform need analysis and package awards in compliance with regulations.
• Manage Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations for undergraduates.
• Provide backup support for VA education benefits.
• Participate in financial aid appeals and scholarship committees.
• Maintain audit readiness and accurate documentation.
• Coordinate presentations/workshops for program participants and develop outreach materials.
• Assist in development/improvement of financial aid systems and procedures.
• Serve as primary/secondary contact with Registrar, Student Financial Services, ISS, and others.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

financial aid

analytical skills

communication

teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Student Information Systems

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Office of Student Financial Aid Assistant Director will have a number of primary responsibilities, including providing counseling, need analysis and packaging for a section of students based on alphabetical distribution.

The Assistant Director serves as a primary financial aid relationship contact for assigned students and advises students and families about the financial aid application process, financial aid eligibility, treatment of unusual and extenuating circumstances, and financial aid programs.

The Assistant Director will also administer one or more aid programs, processes, or functional areas, as assigned by the Executive Director of Financial Aid, with responsibility for activities that may include student eligibility, awarding, disbursement, award adjustments, reconciliation, reporting, compliance, and coordination with other components of a student’s financial aid package.

The role supports effective stewardship of financial aid operations through appropriate documentation, cross-training, backup coverage, and process improvement, and partners across University departments to support accurate, timely, and compliant administration of financial aid.

Selection preference will be given to candidates with the ability to work independently, and collaboratively on a team in a professional manner; with the ability to plan and carry out the essential functions of the role; with a strong commitment to student service; the flexibility to adapt and respond to the needs of a diverse constituency and evolving office priorities; and excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

The AD will perform most job duties in an office setting on the University campus in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and by remote modes according to departmental and university needs.

Job Description Essential Functions:

Serves as a primary program manager for an aid program, as assigned, with oversight over all aspects of the program’s administration from student eligibility, disbursement, award adjustments, monthly and final reconciliation, and coordination with other aid programs in a student aid package. Manages the receipt, processing, and reconciliation of external scholarships and state grants; ensures timely and accurate posting of awards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and clear communication with students and campus partners. Administers special scholarship programs, coordinating with Undergraduate Admissions, Merit Scholarships, and other university departments to determine eligibility and ensure donor compliance. Performs need analysis and exercises professional judgment in evaluating special or unusual financial circumstances; packages and revises financial aid awards in compliance with institutional and federal regulations. Manages the calculation, processing, and documentation of Return of Title IV (R2T4) withdrawal calculations for all undergraduate students; ensures compliance with federal requirements and supports audit readiness. Provides backup support for the Associate Director in certifying and advising on VA education benefits. Participates in financial aid appeals and scholarship committees; contributes to policy discussions and case reviews. Supports federal and institutional compliance through accurate documentation and audit readiness for all areas of responsibility. Maintains detailed and accurate records of communication, awarding decisions, and supporting documentation in accordance with office protocols. Coordinates presentations and workshops for prospective and current program assignments for students and scholarship recipients; develops outreach and training material, as needed Assists in the development and continuous improvement of financial aid systems and procedures related to assigned populations. Serves as a primary/secondary contact with campus partners in the Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services, Undergraduate Admissions, International Student Services (ISS) and others to meet students’ needs Performs other duties as assigned in support of the goals of The Student Financial Aid Office.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred. At least 3 years of experience in financial aid administration or related higher education setting; experience with both federal and institutional methodology preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of federal financial aid regulations, study abroad funding models, external scholarships, and donor-supported scholarship programs. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume setting with accuracy and professionalism. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse campus constituencies. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team; sound judgment and flexibility in responding to evolving priorities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and student information systems; PowerFAIDS or similar system experience preferred. Ability to manage sensitive information in a confidential manner. Protects PII, and CUI in all instances Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel as needed.

Accountabilities:

Responsible for own work only.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work primarily involves sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions:

No environmental conditions

Additional Job Description Time Type Requirement Full time

Note to Applicant: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor. In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].

About WFU:

Wake Forest University, formed in 1834, has experienced decades of growth and innovation. WFU is a distinctive university that combines a liberal arts core with graduate and professional schools and innovative research programs. The University embraces the teacher-scholar ideal, which prizes the personal interaction between students and faculty. It is a place where exceptional teaching, fundamental research and discovery, and the engagement of faculty and students in the classroom and the laboratory are paramount. Wake Forest University is a community that seeks the enlightenment and freedom which come through diligent study and learning. Its higher goal, however, is to give life to the University motto "Pro Humanitate," as members translate a passion for knowledge into compassionate service. The community shares a tradition that embraces freedom and integrity and acknowledges the worth of the individual. The heritage, established by the school's founders and nurtured by succeeding generations, promotes a democratic spirit arising from open-mindedness and discourse. Wake Forest fosters compassion and caring for others. Its collective strength and character are derived from the values and distinctive experiences of each individual; therefore, it affirms the richness of human intellect and culture and its contribution to knowledge, faith, reason, and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives toward a society in which good will, respect, and equality prevail. To that end, Wake Forest University rejects hatred and bigotry in any form and promotes justice, honor, and mutual trust. The University is comprised of: the undergraduate college, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Medicine (located on the Bowman Gray campus with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center) and today enrolls about 4,846 undergraduates and 2,823 students in graduate programs at its principal location, the Reynolda campus. Students at Wake Forest University enjoy a great deal of access to and interaction with world-class faculty both in and out of the classroom setting with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Wake Forest employs approximately 2,772 full and part-time faculty and staff. Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the fifteen-team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the university has adopted the motto "pro humanitate," which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. Wake Forest has a strong commitment to holistic, eight-dimensional well-being for students, faculty and staff as evidenced in the Thrive initiative. Winston-Salem, North Carolina Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a beautiful, mid-sized city centrally located in the Piedmont-Triad region of North Carolina. Winston-Salem is a family-friendly city with high quality schools, numerous outdoor recreational activities and events, and is known for its vibrant and thriving arts scene. Winston-Salem residents enjoy close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (1.5 hours) and Atlantic beaches (4 hours), a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, a very reasonable cost of living, and an eclectic variety of restaurants, wine bars, and breweries for dining with friends and family. Winston-Salem offers many of the amenities of a large city but with the sense of community and quality of life of a smaller town.