Associate Director

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California’s Office of Financial Aid seeks an experienced Associate Director to oversee staff and daily operations of a financial aid program, ensuring services meet federal, state, institutional, and USC requirements. You will lead, mentor, and collaborate with campus partners to deliver accurate, student-centered support.

Responsibilities include overseeing packaging, processing, policy interpretation, complex cases, and program budgeting, with a focus on data

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, assessment, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience resolving conflicts and communicating sensitive or complex information.
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets and financial activity.
• Experience working with recordkeeping, reporting, or data-management systems.
• Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, and project-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with students, families, staff, faculty, university leadership, and external partners.
• Proficiency with standard office technology, computer systems, and financial aid or student-information systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and staff of an assigned financial aid program or unit.
• Recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, and assign work to staff and student employees.
• Establish performance expectations, assess employee performance, provide feedback.
• Identify staff training needs and support professional development and growth.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented work environment.
• Oversee financial aid packaging, processing, and related operational activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional, and USC policies.
• Interpret policies and provide guidance to staff and campus partners.
• Counsel students, applicants, and families regarding eligibility and awards.
• Develop, administer, and monitor program budgets and disbursements.
• Coordinate data-management systems and prepare reports.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Staff supervision

Budget management

Financial aid systems

Communication skills

Project management

Partnership collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Student-information systems

CRM platforms

Data-management systems

Financial aid systems

Job description

The University of Southern California’s Office of Financial Aid is seeking an experienced and student-centered professional to join its team as an Associate Director. The Office of Financial Aid supports USC’s commitment to access, affordability, and student success by administering financial aid programs and providing comprehensive guidance to students and families. The Associate Director will oversee the staff and day-to-day operations of an assigned financial aid program or unit while ensuring that services, processes, and decisions comply with federal, state, institutional, and university requirements. Reporting to Associate Dean, the Associate Director will provide operational leadership, supervise and develop staff, resolve complex financial aid matters, and collaborate with campus partners to deliver accurate, responsive, and student-centered services.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Staff Development

• Manage the daily operations and staff of an assigned financial aid program or unit.
• Recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, and assign work to staff and student employees.
• Establish performance expectations, assess employee performance, provide feedback, and address performance concerns as appropriate.
• Identify staff training needs and support professional development and growth.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented work environment.
• Establish program goals and objectives and evaluate performance against established standards.

Financial Aid Operations and Compliance

• Oversee financial aid packaging, processing, and related operational activities.
• Ensure that financial aid decisions and processes comply with federal, state, institutional, and university policies and regulations.
• Interpret financial aid policies and provide technical guidance to staff and campus partners.
• Review and resolve complex or escalated student cases, including requests for exceptions and professional judgment considerations, as appropriate.
• Identify operational challenges and recommend changes, enhancements, or process improvements based on data, feedback, and program evaluation.
• Maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations, programs, policies, and industry practices.

Student and Family Support

• Counsel students, applicants, and families regarding financial aid eligibility, awards, policies, and available resources.
• Evaluate complex student circumstances and determine appropriate actions related to financial aid awards.
• Provide individualized guidance that considers students’ academic goals, housing circumstances, extracurricular commitments, and career objectives.
• Communicate financial aid information clearly, accurately, and respectfully to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Support the delivery of accessible, responsive, and student-centered financial aid services.

Financial Stewardship, Data, and Reporting

• Develop, administer, and monitor assigned program budgets.
• Oversee the appropriate disbursement of scholarships, emergency loans, and other financial awards.
• Coordinate the maintenance and enhancement of internal recordkeeping and data-management systems.
• Monitor data quality, reliability, and accuracy.
• Analyze program data and prepare statistical, operational, and financial reports.
• Identify trends and develop conclusions and recommendations to improve financial aid programs and services.

Collaboration, Outreach, and Program Administration

• Partner with university offices to coordinate the design and delivery of financial aid programs and services.
• Maintain ongoing communication with campus partners to support integrated and consistent service delivery.
• Collaborate with donors, lenders, external agencies, and financial aid professionals at other institutions to exchange information, resolve issues, and provide requested reports.
• Plan and deliver workshops, presentations, seminars, and informational sessions for students, families, and other audiences.
• Develop communications and informational materials that promote awareness and understanding of financial aid programs and services.
• Participate in university committees and professional associations to maintain professional knowledge and support institutional initiatives.
• Support departmental emergency-response and recovery responsibilities, including mobilizing staff when required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong analytical, assessment, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience resolving conflicts and communicating sensitive or complex information.
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets and financial activity.
• Experience working with recordkeeping, reporting, or data-management systems.
• Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, and project-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with students, families, staff, faculty, university leadership, and external partners.
• Proficiency with standard office technology, computer systems, and financial aid or student-information systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Experience managing a financial aid program, functional unit, or student-services operation.
• Knowledge of USC financial aid programs, plans, systems, and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal, state, institutional, and external financial aid programs and policies.
• Experience with financial aid systems, customer-relationship management platforms, reporting tools, or student-information systems.
• Experience using data and assessment findings to improve operations, service delivery, or program outcomes.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations, workshops, or training programs.
• Experience working in a complex higher-education environment.

The salary range for this position is $84,000 - $94,000.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
• Minimum Experience: 3 years
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Lead or supervisory experience in financial aid counseling

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles - a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city - responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region - we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.