Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations

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 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