Assistant Director - Verification
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Job summary
Arizona State University is seeking an Assistant Director - Verification to provide leadership for federal Title IV verification and eligibility operations within Financial Aid. This role serves as a subject-matter expert on FAFSA/ISIR processing, regulatory changes, and compliance, supervising staff to ensure accurate, timely aid determinations.
You will drive process improvements, train staff, coordinate with campus partners, and ensure records remain auditable under FERPA.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and five years of related experience, including two years in a managerial role.
- Experience in financial aid operations and Title IV verification preferred.
- Strong understanding of FERPA and data privacy requirements.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for federal Title IV verification and eligibility processing.
- Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate staff; manage performance and development.
- Monitor productivity, accuracy, workloads, and service deadlines.
- Lead process improvements to streamline verification and reduce errors.
- Collaborate with campus partners and auditors to ensure compliance and reporting.
Skills
Education
Job description
Administrative Operations Manager 2
Administrative Operations
Full time
Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Manages the intermediate to complex operations of a department within the division. Monitors budget, implements strategic priorities, and prepares reports for senior management.
Position Salary: $54,000 per year
Under general direction, the Assistant Director - Verification provides leadership and oversight for federal Title IV verification and eligibility operations within Financial Aid. Serves as a subject-matter expert on federal verification requirements, FAFSA/ISIR review, eligibility resolution, compliance standards, and related financial aid systems. Supervises staff, monitors operational performance, supports audit and compliance activities, leads process improvements, and collaborates with campus partners to ensure accurate, timely, and student-centered financial aid processing.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert and institutional resource regarding federal verification and Title IV eligibility requirements, providing technical guidance to financial aid staff and campus partners.
- Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate assigned staff; establish performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and professional development.
- Monitor individual and team productivity, processing accuracy, workloads, and performance metrics; establish priorities and allocate resources to support operational needs and processing deadlines.
- Develop and deliver training related to verification, federal eligibility requirements, regulatory changes, processing procedures, quality standards, and financial aid systems.
- Support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and federal program reviews by providing documentation, responding to verification-related inquiries, researching findings, and implementing corrective actions as appropriate.
- Analyze processing volumes, trends, error rates, and other operational data to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, workload management, and enhanced student service.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives designed to streamline verification processes, reduce administrative burden, improve processing timelines, strengthen compliance, and enhance the student experience.
- Ensure the confidentiality and appropriate handling of student financial information in accordance with FERPA and applicable federal, state, and institutional privacy and data-security requirements, consistent with the processor-level responsibility.
- Perform other financial aid leadership, compliance, operational, and eligibility-related duties as assigned.
- Provide operational leadership and oversight of federal Title IV verification and eligibility processes to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant determination of student financial aid eligibility.
- Direct and monitor verification processing activities, workloads, and queues to ensure established service expectations, institutional priorities, and federal regulatory deadlines are met.
- Provide leadership and guidance in the review and resolution of complex verification and Title IV eligibility issues, including FAFSA/ISIR discrepancies, conflicting information, citizenship and eligible noncitizen requirements, C-codes, rejected ISIRs, federal database matches, and other conditions affecting student eligibility.
- Interpret and apply federal Title IV regulations, U.S. Department of Education guidance, and institutional policies related to verification and student eligibility; communicate regulatory requirements and operational impacts to staff and university stakeholders.
- Evaluate changes to federal verification and eligibility requirements and lead the implementation of necessary operational, procedural, system, and training changes.
- Oversee the development, review, and maintenance of verification and eligibility policies, procedures, business processes, documentation standards, and training materials to ensure consistent application of federal and institutional requirements.
- Establish and maintain quality-control and internal-control processes to monitor processing accuracy, identify trends and compliance risks, and minimize incorrect eligibility determinations, overawards, overpayments, and other processing errors.
- Review quality-assurance findings and operational data to identify systemic issues, determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and improve processing accuracy and efficiency.
- Provide guidance and escalation support for cases requiring advanced regulatory interpretation, independent judgment, or resolution of complex or conflicting student information.
- Ensure verification decisions, corrections, eligibility determinations, and adjustments are appropriately documented to maintain complete and auditable student records.
- Oversee annual verification operational readiness, including preparation for the upcoming aid year, review of federal requirements, business-process updates, documentation requirements, system configuration, and staff training.
- Collaborate with Systems and technology partners to develop, test, implement, and maintain financial aid system functionality supporting FAFSA/ISIR processing, verification, document requirements, eligibility determination, and related automated processes.
- Participate in system testing and validation of federal and institutional changes to ensure verification and eligibility processes function accurately before implementation.
- Collaborate with Compliance, Financial Aid Student Services, Student Business Services, Systems, Enrollment Services, and other university departments to research and resolve complex verification and eligibility issues. This expands the cross-functional collaboration already expected of the processor role.
- Knowledge of principles and practices related to the assigned department.
- Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.
- Knowledge of budget management methods and techniques.
- Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
- Knowledge of organizational management principles, concepts, and practices.
- Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
- Skill in planning, analyzing, and coordinating activities and establishing priorities.
- Skill in effectively managing, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff.
- Skill in program design and development.
- Skill in budget preparation and forecasting.
- Evidence of ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
- Experience leading or overseeing federal Title IV verification, eligibility review, or financial aid compliance processes.
- Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, verification requirements, FAFSA/ISIR processing, Student Aid Index calculations, and related eligibility regulations.
- Experience using federal financial aid systems such as COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, and NSLDS.
- Experience supervising, training, coaching, or evaluating staff in a financial aid, enrollment services, compliance, or student services environment.
- Experience analyzing workloads, processing timelines, quality-control results, or operational data to improve accuracy, efficiency, and student service.
- Experience developing or maintaining policies, procedures, training materials, documentation standards, or internal controls.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret complex regulations, resolve conflicting information, and communicate requirements clearly to staff and campus partners.
- Knowledge of FERPA and privacy requirements related to student financial information.
- Strong written, verbal, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and customer-service skills.
- At least five (5) years of federal eligibility/verification process.
- Experience leading or overseeing federal Title IV verification, eligibility review, or financial aid compliance processes.
Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work. Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.
In support of the university’s mission and goals, Academic Enterprise Enrollment advances awareness of Arizona State University as the New American University through data-informed strategies that enroll and support a student population reflective of its vision across campus and digital immersion environments. AEE brings professionalism and discipline to the formulation of enrollment strategy and the refinement of enrollment processes and is an effective collaborator with our college and school colleagues and other enrollment partners within the Academic Enterprise, the Knowledge Enterprise, the Learning Enterprise, and EdPlus. AEE comprises the following units: Academic Enterprise Communications; Academic Enterprise Enrollment Solutions; Admission Services; Financial Aid and Scholarship Services; the International Students and Scholars Center; the Pat Tillman Veterans Center; Technology and Data Solutions; and University Registrar Services.
- Make the human connection: We commit to listen, offer empathy and show compassion.
- Drive success with teamwork: We solve problems with collaboration and creativity.
- Promote a thriving community: We recognize work-life balance and embrace our individual differences.
- Go above and beyond: We share our time, talents and expertise to make an impact in all that we do.
- See the extraordinary through our efforts: We support those who are pursuing their dreams.
- Lead with respect and positive intent in every situation: We communicate openly, genuinely and with transparency.
ASU offers an array of employee benefits, including reduced tuition for employees, their spouses and dependents; competitive rates for health and life benefits; a wellness program; disability and leave program; paid holidays; and retirement programs. Visit https://cfo.asu.edu/hr-benefits for further details, as well as https://cfo.asu.edu/hr-applicant for a message from ASU President Michael M. Crow to future ASU employees.
Driving is not required for this position.
Off-Campus: Other US Locations
No Federal Funding
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator
ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.
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