Sr. Assistant Director

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California invites applications for the Senior Assistant Director, Outreach - Financial Aid. The role leads outreach efforts, counseling, and policy guidance for diverse student populations while supporting financial aid packaging and collaboration with campus partners.

The position requires strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with responsibility for outreach programming, presentations, and student support across the financial aid process.

Qualifications

• Lead counselor on financial aid policies and complex case resolution.
• Provide counseling and educational outreach to diverse student populations.
• Support financial aid packaging and collaborate with campus partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person and virtual financial aid presentations and advising sessions.
• Perform need analyses and determine additional aid options.
• Review applications for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with packaging for federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Process loan certification and advise on debt management.

Skills

Analysis

Assessment and evaluation

Written and verbal communication

Conflict resolution

Counseling and advising

Interpersonal communication

Policy interpretation

Public speaking

Organizational planning

Problem solving

Professional judgment

Interviewing

Knowledge of laws and policy

Tools

Office software

Job description

Senior Assistant Director, Outreach - Financial Aid

The USC Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Senior Assistant Director, Outreach to serve as a lead counselor on financial aid policies, procedures, and complex case resolution. This position supports students across a variety of populations and serves as the primary financial aid contact for an assigned student population.

The Senior Assistant Director will provide financial aid counseling, conduct outreach and educational programming, evaluate student financial aid needs, assist with financial aid packaging, and collaborate with campus partners to support students throughout the financial aid process.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person and virtual financial aid presentations, workshops, webinars, and advising sessions for external audiences, including high schools, community colleges, and community-based organizations, as well as USC students, academic units, student groups, and student support offices.
• Conduct financial need analyses for students requesting additional financial aid resources and determine whether additional options may be available based on individual circumstances.
• Review student financial aid applications for completeness and consistency and verify the accuracy of student and family-reported information.
• Assist with financial aid packaging for federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Cal Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and campus-based aid.
• Process and support loan certification for federal and private education loans.
• Exercise professional judgment and problem-solving skills within established policies and procedures to resolve complex or escalated student financial aid matters.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid colleagues to identify issues, update financial aid packages, and elevate cases requiring senior leadership or funding review.
• Serve as a financial aid subject-matter resource regarding financial aid policies, procedures, and the appeal process on departmental or university committees, as requested.
• Counsel students regarding financial planning, budgeting, responsible borrowing, and debt management.
• Assist in developing strategies to improve communication between the Financial Aid Office and incoming and continuing students.
• Support initiatives designed to improve timely student submission of required financial aid documents and materials.
• Collaborate with university leadership and campus partners to address escalated student concerns and provide financial aid support to various student populations.
• Maintain current knowledge of university, state, and federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Balance student advising responsibilities with outreach programming, presentations, departmental priorities, and special events.

The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and enjoy working directly with students and diverse audiences. The ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, interpret policies, and provide thoughtful solutions to complex student situations is critical to success in this role.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with strong communication, critical-thinking, organizational, counseling, and problem-solving skills who enjoys public interaction and supporting students.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of student financial aid programs within a higher education environment.

• Student services experience with demonstrated analytical skills.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make informed decisions while managing competing priorities.
• Student counseling or advising experience.
• Experience conducting presentations or public speaking in a professional setting.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and campus partners.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Analysis
• Assessment and evaluation
• Written and verbal communication
• Conflict resolutionCounseling and advising
• Interpersonal communication
• Interpretation and application of policies, procedures, regulations, and trends
• Interviewing
• Knowledge of applicable laws, policies, and principles
• Organization and planning
• Problem identification and resolution
• Professional judgment
• Public speaking and presentation

Technology Skills

• Proficiency with computers and standard office productivity software.
• Ability to work within university and departmental computer systems and networks.
• Ability to learn and navigate financial aid, student information, and related technology systems.

Supervision

• May oversee student, temporary, and/or casual employees.

Work Location and Schedule

This position is based at the USC University Park Campus and will also require tr