Assistant Director of Student Advising

advising, financial aid expertise, and strategic data reporting. This position serves as a bridge between Student Support, Academic Affairs, and Student Finance by advising students on academic progression and financial aid implications while developing reports and analyses that support enrollment management, compliance, and operational decision-making. The Assistant Director is responsible for overseeing complex student cases, interpreting institutional and federal regulations, producing data reports for Student Support leadership, and identifying trends that improve student success and operational efficiency. Principal Duties Student Support Counsel students experiencing academic, financial, or enrollment challenges and identify appropriate solutions. Collaborate with Academic Departments, Financial Aid, Registrar, Admissions, and Student Accounts to resolve complex student issues. Review and evaluate student petitions, appeals, exceptions, and special circumstances related to each eligible student’s funding. Assist with onboarding and training new Student Services staff. Serve as an escalation point for complex advising cases requiring cross-departmental coordination. Support student retention initiatives through proactive outreach and intervention. Student Finance & Financial Aid Serve as a subject matter expert regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Advise students on the academic impact of financial aid eligibility, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), enrollment status, Leave of Absence policies, and loan regulations. Partner with Financial Aid leadership to identify students impacted by regulatory or policy changes. Monitor enrollment patterns affecting aid eligibility and recommend intervention strategies. Assist with compliance initiatives and institutional audits related to student enrollment and financial aid. Reporting & Data Analytics Develop, maintain, and distribute recurring reports supporting Student Finance, Student Services, and university leadership. Assists in maintaining weekly reporting to Student Support that identifies financial at-risk students. Extract, validate, and analyze student data from the Student Information System (SIS), CRM, and reporting platforms. Identify data trends and present actionable recommendations to leadership. Ensure data accuracy and integrity while adhering to institutional policies and federal regulations. Leadership & Operational Support Assist the Director with strategic planning and departmental initiatives. Develop and improve departmental procedures and workflows. Assist with policy implementation and continuous process improvement. Serve as Acting Director in the Director's absence, as needed. Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education. Minimum of 2 years of experience in Financial Aid, Student Finance, Enrollment Services, or Student Services. Experience with academic advising in a college or university setting. Experience producing reports and analyzing institutional data. Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations. Strong understanding of higher education policies and student lifecycle processes. Ideal Qualifications Experience working with Student Information Systems (Colleague, Banner, PeopleSoft, CampusVue, or similar). Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, Power Query, XLOOKUP, reporting). Experience interpreting institutional data to support strategic decision-making. Supervisory or leadership experience. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Comprehensive knowledge of higher education administration. Working knowledge of federal financial aid regulations and compliance. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Ability to interpret complex policies and communicate them clearly. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong customer service and conflict resolution skills. High attention to detail and data accuracy. Ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive student information. Collaborative leadership and relationship-building skills. Compensation Range Salary range is $33.33-$35.90, commensurate with education and experience. Compensation & Benefits This opportunity is budgeted at $$33.33 to $35.90 Per Hour base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below. https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/ The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance. Organization The Chicago School is a not-for-profit, accredited institution with more than 4,000 students at campuses across the country (Chicago, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Calif., and Washington, D.C.) and online. TCS has been an innovator in the field of psychology and related behavioral science for more than 30 years. TCS offers more than 20 degree programs and a wealth of opportunities for international experiences. Central to our transformational impact on students, their communities, and the practice of psychology is The Engaged Professional Model of Education. This groundbreaking approach to training leverages the talents and experience of faculty practitioners, who work with our Community Partnership and Applied Professional Practice teams to provide students a rich spectrum of clinical training in a wide range of community settings. In fact, the School was the first of its kind to be named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its leadership in service and civic engagement. Our graduates emerge with unrivaled skills, and ready to make much-needed changes in the communities they serve. They work around the world in hospitals, schools, community centers, agencies, NGOs, private practice, and elsewhere. Our graduates blend a sophisticated understanding of the human experience with high-quality practice in fields such as adolescent psychology, applied behavior analysis, Latino mental health, and forensic psychology. The Chicago School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is an active member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology—which has recognized The Chicago School for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy.