Sr Assistant Director, Needs Analysis

3M HEALTHCARE; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 38,572 - 44,083; Full time

Job summary

USC in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Assistant Director, Needs Analysis to oversee day-to-day work in the Need Analysis unit, evaluating student eligibility for financial aid and reviewing applications for both undergrad and graduate students. Reports to the Associate Director, Need Analysis.

The candidate will guide staff on complex files, ensure accurate documentation, and support professional judgment adjustments while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid processes and regulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Professional communication with students, families, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain policies and procedures used in need analysis and professional judgment.
• Manage training and evaluation of staff.
• Identify SIS changes based on federal/state requirements.
• Develop testing procedures for system updates and scenarios.
• Review applications for completeness, verify accuracy, and make ISIR corrections as needed.

Skills

Financial aid knowledge

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Summary

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Senior Assistant Director, Needs Analysis to assist with day‑to‑day responsibilities of the Need Analysis unit, which evaluates prospective and current student eligibility for financial aid and 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 judgment.
• Manage the training and evaluation process for new and existing staff.
• Identify 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, federal and institutional verification and 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 reported information, certify applications and make ISIR corrections as needed.
• Maintain accurate and thorough file documentation and quality control on the review of nearly 20,000 applications.
• Assist in developing and maintaining guidelines for professional judgment adjustments initiated by student appeals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid processes and regulations.
• Critical thinking, problem‑solving, and understanding of complex verification issues.
• Professional demeanor and ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students, parents, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Organizational skills to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in student financial aid counseling or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Compensation

Hourly rate: $28.00 – $32.85. Salary determination takes into account scope of duties, experience, education, and market factors.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Contact

For accessibility or reasonable accommodation requests, contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821‑8100 or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.