Sr. Assistant Director

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Sur place; USD 34 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hybrid work arrangement

Résumé du poste

The University of Southern California is seeking a Senior Assistant Director, Outreach for Financial Aid. The role leads counseling, policy interpretation, and outreach initiatives to assist students across diverse populations.

You will conduct presentations, analyze financial need, and help with packaging and loan certification while collaborating with campus partners to support students through the financial aid process.

Qualifications

• Lead counselor on financial aid policies and complex cases.
• Deliver outreach and educational programming.
• Assist with financial aid packaging and review processes.
• Collaborate with campus partners and committees.

Responsabilités

• Conduct in-person and virtual financial aid presentations for diverse audiences.
• Analyze financial need and explore additional aid options.
• Review applications for accuracy and completeness.
• Support loan certification for federal and private loans.
• Provide counseling on budgeting, debt management, and responsible borrowing.
• Balance advising with outreach and events to raise awareness.
• Stay current with regulations and ensure policy compliance.

Connaissances

Financial aid counseling

Outreach & presentations

Student advisement

Policy interpretation

Complex case resolution

Collaboration

Budgeting & debt management

Public speaking

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Combined experience/education option

Description du poste

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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional preferred experience includes:

• 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 resolution


• Counseling 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 travel to the USC Health Sciences Campus for meetings, programs, events, and scheduled financial aid office hours. Domestic travel may also be required during relevant recruitment and student conversion periods. This position reports to the Associate Director, Outreach and is eligible for overtime. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a hybrid‑fixed position that requires regular on‑campus presence.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

The hourly range for this position is $25.00-$33.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor's degree/ Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education 2 years of work experience

• Admissions


• Counseling skills


• Academic advisement


• Financial analysis and evaluation

Equal Opportunity Statement

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. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility

About USC

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.