Assistant Director, Financial Aid Operations and Processing

Opt For Healthy Living; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Coverage

Retirement Plans

Educational Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Insurance options

Job summary

California State University, Long Beach is seeking an Assistant Director of Financial Aid Operations & Processing to oversee and coordinate workflow for financial aid programming. The role leads a team of counselors and program coordinators, builds an effective department, and helps craft policies within the Financial Aid Leadership Team.

The position emphasizes equity, student-centered service, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while contributing to operational

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree with upper or graduate coursework in counseling and guidance, human relations, or related fields and three years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas required. Prior experience in Financial Aid is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight, direction, and coordination of workflow for operational and processing financial aid programming, while actively performing necessary tasks to support these programs.
• Provide leadership and oversight for financial aid operational and processing programming, as well as within the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department. Supervise financial aid counselor/program coordinators, coordinate workload to meet milestones, and help to build an effective team.
• Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Leadership Team, helping to craft policies and procedures for the department. Assist as needed to provide support and guidance for front-facing and backend activities. Other duties as assigned.

Job description

Assistant Director, Financial Aid Operations and Processing

Job no: 562206
Work type: Staff
Location: Long Beach
Categories: Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Administrative, Temporary, Full Time

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Operations & Processing participates, coordinates, and monitors operations and processing activities within the Financial Aid Department. This position serves as a lead for the Financial Aid Counseling/Program Coordinator team and helps to establish operational direction and implements policy for the daily functions of the office.

Furthermore, this position provides services that are equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive to enhance the quality of campus life. This position uses a student-centered and equity-minded approach in all communication and service efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oversight, direction, and coordination of workflow for operational and processing financial aid programming, while actively performing necessary tasks to support these programs.
• Provide leadership and oversight for financial aid operational and processing programming, as well as within the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department. Supervise financial aid counselor/program coordinators, coordinate workload to meet milestones, and help to build an effective team.
• Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Leadership Team, helping to craft policies and procedures for the department. Assist as needed to provide support and guidance for front-facing and backend activities. Other duties as assigned.

Department

Time Base

1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.

Duration of Appointment

This is a temporary position for 1 year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Classification

Student Services Professional III

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $5,675 - $5,789 per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $5,540 - $7,893 per month.

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

The ideal candidate in this position is a knowledgeable and service‑oriented financial aid professional with experience leading complex financial aid operations while maintaining a hands‑on approach to processing and program administration. They oversee key operational functions such as file review, over‑awards, SAP, R2T4, ISIR processing, and appeals, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The successful candidate develops and maintains business process documentation, leads staff training and quality assurance efforts, serves as a primary resource for operational inquiries, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

This individual demonstrates strong leadership and project management skills by prioritizing workloads, coordinating assignments, monitoring progress toward production goals, and preparing reports to support informed decision‑making. They effectively supervise and mentor Financial Aid Counselors and Program Coordinators, foster a collaborative and positive team environment, and support onboarding and professional development initiatives. As a member of the Financial Aid Leadership Team, they contribute to policy development, workflow enhancement, compliance initiatives, and strategic planning, while representing the office on campus and systemwide committees. Through their commitment to operational excellence and student success, they help ensure the effective delivery of financial aid programs and services.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non‑discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a \"vision of excellence.\"

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree with upper or graduate coursework in counseling and guidance, human relations, or related fields and three years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas required. Prior experience in Financial Aid is preferred.

Physical Summary

Sedentary work - Involves mainly sitting. Walking and standing are minimal. Lifting is limited to lightweight objects (10 pounds or less).

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR‑[e-mail] .

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

Advertised: Sep 16 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 30 2026 Pacific Daylight Time