Sr Assistant Director, Needs Analysis

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 38,572 - 44,083; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California in Glendale, CA seeks a Senior Assistant Director, Needs Analysis to oversee day-to-day operations of the Need Analysis unit within the Office of Financial Aid.

The role focuses on evaluating eligibility for financial aid, reviewing applications for both graduate and undergraduate students, and certifying ISIRs while maintaining thorough documentation and quality control across 20,000+ files.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; combined experience/education may substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum two years of experience in student financial aid counseling.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid rules and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining policies and procedures used in need analysis, verification, and professional judgement.
• Manage the training and evaluation process for new and existing staff.
• Identify changes to SIS based on federal and state requirements and assist testing.
• Develop testing procedures and scenarios for system changes and updates.
• Serve as a resource on need analysis, verification, and respond to Salesforce cases.
• Advise staff on complex student files and guide on procedures.
• Conduct need analysis to determine packaging options and certify applications.
• Maintain documentation and quality control on ~20,000 applications.
• Develop guidelines for professional judgement adjustments initiated by student appeals.

Skills

Financial aid regulations

Critical thinking

Professional communication

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Senior Assistant Director, Needs Analysis

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Senior Assistant Director, Needs Analysis to assist with the day-to-day responsibilities of the Need Analysis unit. The Need Analysis unit is responsible for evaluating prospective and current student eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, this unit reviews financial aid applications for both graduate and undergraduate students. This position reports to the Associate Director, Need Analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining policies and procedures used in need analysis, verification, and professional judgement.
• Manage the training and evaluation process for new and existing staff.
• Assist in identifying changes to the Student Information System (SIS) based on federal and state requirements.
• Participate in testing system changes and updates by developing testing procedures and scenarios.
• Serve as a resource to staff for questions related to need analysis, and federal and institutional verification. Respond to Salesforce cases.
• Advise staff on complex student files and provide guidance on appropriate procedures.
• Conduct need analysis to determine student financial aid packaging options based on individual case circumstances. Review student applications for consistency and completeness, verify accuracy of student and family reported information, and certify applications. Make ISIR corrections as needed. Maintain accurate and thorough file documentation.
• Maintain quality control on the review of nearly 20,000 applications for financial aid.
• Assist in developing and maintaining guidelines for professional judgement adjustments initiated by student appeals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid processes and regulations.
• Ability to think critically, solve problems, and understand complex verification issues.
• Professional demeanor, ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Please submit cover letter and resume as part of your application.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

The hourly range for this position is $28.00 – $32.85. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as 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.

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Minimum Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree; combined experience/education may substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum Experience: 2 years.
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Student financial aid counseling.