Financial Aid Operations Leader

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Presencial; USD 84.000 - 94.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The University of Southern California's Office of Financial Aid is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead a financial aid program or unit, supervise staff, and ensure services comply with federal, state, and university policies. The role emphasizes student-centered guidance and timely, accurate processing.

Reporting to the Associate Dean, you will oversee day-to-day operations, collaborate with campus partners, and develop staff through training and performance management to deliver

Formación

• Bachelor's degree required; 3+ years supervisory experience in financial aid.
• Experience with financial aid policies and student counseling.
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsabilidades

• Oversee 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Staff Development

Financial Aid

Operations

Compliance

Student Counseling

Data & Reporting

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's degree

Lead or supervisory experience

Herramientas

Student Information Systems

Descripción del empleo

The University of Southern California's Office of Financial Aid is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead a financial aid program or unit, supervise staff, and ensure services comply with federal, state, and university policies. The role emphasizes student-centered guidance and timely, accurate processing.

Reporting to the Associate Dean, you will oversee day-to-day operations, collaborate with campus partners, and develop staff through training and performance management to deliver