"Assistant Director - Financial Aid"

Assistant Director - Financial Aid

Benefits of Working at UNCW: Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach. Employees of UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW course each summer session. As a full time employee, UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service. We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our Dare to Learn Academy, and the employee assistance program, many of which are offered free of charge.

Recruitment Range: $53,500 - $57,452

Vacancy Number: E1428

Competency Level:

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Home Department: Financial Aid Admin - 30140

Division: Academic Affairs - 30 Division

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: This position is assigned to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). UNCW operates at a student capacity of about 19,000, and OSFA is expected to serve any of those students seeking financial aid assistance, any prospective students/families, as well as students who receive benefits that require coordination through the OSFA. The OSFA currently serves approximately 65% of the student body. This includes federal and financial assistance, Veterans' educational benefits, all tuition waivers, all scholarships, all institutional aid, and all non-institutional aid. Typical office contact is 21,000 calls and 3,500 visits. The major functions of the department include: Management of funds exceeding $122 million; Receiving and/or processing aid applications from approximately 35,000 students each year (this includes all admitted students-some do not matriculate); Monitoring records and procedures for compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and NCAA athletics rules; Providing federal, state, and donor reports and providing general financial aid advising and counseling to current and prospective students and their families; Due to the national financial aid processing and delivery system, admission decision notification, and timing of orientation/billing, the heavier portions of the work are concentrated during March, April, June, July, and the first two weeks of each semester.

Brief Summary of Work for this Position: The Assistant Director works as a part of the Customer Service Team within UNCW's Financial Aid Office. This position supervises front office staff, who are primarily responsible for answering phones, front desk, emails and document imaging. The Assistant Director also has a student caseload and will have other programmatic responsibilities. In addition, the Assistant Director is also responsible for the following duties: Administers all financial aid programs and ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional rules, regulations, and requirements; Advises, counsels, and educates students, prospective students, and their respective family members as it relates to their financial eligibility; Reports to the Senior Assistant Director of Scholarships and Compliance.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelor's Degree; 3 or more years as a financial aid counselor; 1 year of supervisory experience (including, but not limited to, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and evaluating).

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience: Master's Degree; Front/desk and/or phone system experience; Experience with SAP & Budget Increases; Experience with Banner, Image Now/Perceptive Content, Starfish, and Zoom/Teams; Strong customer service and communication skills; Strong time management and organizational skills; Previous experience as a Senior Financial Aid Counselor level or higher.

Required Certifications or Licensures: N/A

FTE: 1.0 (40 hours per week)

Months Per Year: 12 Months

Type of Position: Permanent

Position Number: 7565

Job Posting Date: 08/20/2025

Posting Close Date: 9/8/2025