Assistant Director - Undergraduate Financial Aid

Chapman University; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University is seeking an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid to lead the front-end operations team, ensuring policy compliance and data integrity. The role requires presenting at orientations and coordinating with partners to resolve complex student issues.

The position emphasizes leadership, in-depth knowledge of federal/state financial aid programs, and strong communication with students, families, and colleagues. It is on-campus in Orange, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 4 years undergraduate financial aid experience in a university setting.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly with partners, students, and families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with FERPA standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-end operations team and supervise 2–3 staff.
• Develop training materials for new team members.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with regulations.
• Present information at orientation and events.
• Coordinate with campus partners to resolve complex issues.

Skills

Public speaking

Team leadership

FERPA compliance

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

PeopleSoft/Campus Solutions

ImageNow/Perceptive Content

Microsoft Office

Job description

Assistant Director - Undergraduate Financial Aid

Special Instructions

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title: Assistant Director - Undergraduate Financial Aid

Position Type: Regular

Job Number: SA92024

Full or Part Time: full-time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification: Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range: $78,000 - $82,000

Pay Range Information: Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

As a critical part of the Undergraduate Financial Aid management team, the Assistant Director provides leadership, mentorship, support, and direction to the frontline advising team while providing valuable insight and innovation about policies, procedures, programs, and regulations. This position helps to ensure data integrity and compliance with university, state, and federal laws, internal controls and quality standards of service. This position resolves problems outside the scope of the advising team, including working directly with students and parents and researching and resolving complex issues. The Assistant Director prepares materials and presents to large and small groups during orientation, financial aid nights, and as requested by community partners. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Responsibilities

Management and Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office management team.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, support, and direction to the front-end operations team within the office, directly supervising 2 to 3 team members.
• Create and maintain cohesive training materials for new team members.
• Provide a platform for the team to maintain continuous proficiency in federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies.
• Participate in setting goals and objectives for the area and measure performance against those goals and objectives.
• Provide policy and regulation interpretation; determine exception requests as deemed appropriate for the position level. Evaluate internal practices, procedures, and policies and recommend changes or enhancements.
• Promote a positive image of the Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Division ensuring accurate, consistent, and timely information is disseminated in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional currency through active participation and leadership in associations and committees both internal and external to the university.
• Create and maintain a master calendar that includes regular meetings with the team as well as individual team members.

Communication and Outreach

• Regularly meet with students and families as needed.
• Handle student, parent, and other issues requiring escalation in a diplomatic and tactful manner.
• Present at on- and off-campus financial aid events including financial aid nights, conferences, and enrollment events that may include overnight travel.
• Act as a liaison for campus partners including Disability Services, Global Education, Student Business Services, Office of the Registrar, as well as the Dean of Students Office to answer questions, provide guidance, and resolving complex problems.

Data Management and Reporting

• Monitor weekly, monthly, and annual reports to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Provide consistent data and analysis related to the effectiveness of the work being done in order to identify trends, successes, and areas of improvement.
• Provide insight during regularly scheduled leverage planning meetings and assist with any yearly setup or changes as needed.
• Provide quality assurance and testing of financial aid packages.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of 4 years undergraduate financial aid experience in a public or private non-profit university
• Strong and current knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and accurately with internal and external partners as well as students and their families
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, remain calm, and empathize with students and parents from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality with a strict adherence to FERPA standards
• Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions and sound judgments on routine to critical matters
• Ability to maintain and present data in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to work successfully both independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize projects and deadlines and assist the team to do the same
• Comfort with public speaking and presentations including the creation of presentations and outreach materials

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Multiple NASFAA professional credentials
• Significant experience with PeopleSoft/Campus Solutions, ImageNow/Perceptive Content, as well as Microsoft Office Suite
• At least one year experience managing a small team or professional employees
• Bilingual Spanish

Minimum Number of References

2

Maximum Number of References

3

Location

MAIN CAMPUS
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
[phone]

RINKER HEALTH SCIENCE CAMPUS
9401 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618