"Financial Aid Associate Director - Enrollment and Retention - Financial Aid"

Job Details

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Position Title:

Financial Aid Associate Director - Enrollment and Retention - Financial Aid

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Financial Aid Assoc Dir

Job Duties:

The Division of Enrollment and Retention and Office of Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Financial Aid Associate Director (AE036).

The Associate Director of Financial Aid is a 12-month, full-time position that reports to the Director of Financial Aid. The Associate Director assists the Director in providing direction and leadership for the day-to-day operations of the office, oversees aspects of financial aid administration and aid programs, and contributes to the development of office policies and procedures in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. They support the Director in administration of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including compliance and reporting, and make decisions and represent the office in the absence of the Director. Along with the Director, the Associate Director is responsible for supervision, management, and the mentoring of staff.

The Associate Director works as a team member in a fast-paced workplace focused on customer service, providing support to all students at the university. They serve as liaison with other institutional stakeholders, ensuring consistent and responsive delivery of information and support through administrative, committee, and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities:

• In the absence of the Director of Financial Aid, serve as senior administrator in the office. Support the Director with overall administration of the office.
• Hire, train, and supervise staff within the financial aid office, including student employees.
• Assist with the development, implementation, monitoring, and revision of policies and procedures relating to financial aid. Monitor internal controls and processes to ensure consistent application of policies and procedures for all activities related to financial aid programs, as well as, review, interpret, and implement new and updated federal and state regulations.
• Provide detailed information and professional guidance to students and family members regarding financial aid. Information is provided via telephone, email, in person, and occasionally to groups at campus informational and summer orientation events.
• Complete file review and verification of aid applications for an assigned subset of students in determining federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility.
• Help develop and implement programs to support university recruitment, retention, graduation, and other student success goals.
• Serve as a liaison to federal, state, and professional agencies on financial aid matters, including federal, state, and Universities of Wisconsin reviews and audits.
• Participate in university committees, including medical withdrawal, enrollment extenuating circumstances, and campus calendar committees, and campus-wide programs as needed.
• Participate in professional organizations, conferences, and workshops when appropriate.
• Complete all training required for the position.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development of operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives.
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
• Assists with the unit budget.
• Serves as a key authority among internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit in the absence of a director.
• Assists in the development of strategic planning initiatives and unit objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan.

Department:

The Department of Financial Aid

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $85,000 - $87,520 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications. UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience with financial aid programs in a college or university setting.
• Extensive knowledge of Title IV regulations governing federal student aid. Areas of concern include verification, needs analysis, conflicting information, packaging, special circumstances, professional judgment, dependency overrides, federal reporting requirements, and Return of Title IV Aid.
• Experience with various financial aid systems, including COD, NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect/FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively lead and guide personnel.
• Possess strong customer service and written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with excellent time management, analytical/problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Familiar with integrated student information systems and document imaging systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new software programs.
• Knowledge of and adherence to FERPA and other privacy laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional education (Master's degree in higher education, college student personnel, business administration, counseling, or a related field preferred).
• Previous leadership or management experience in the administration of student financial aid (three years of professional experience serving at an assistant or associate director level).
• Knowledge of and experience with other university functional areas that work closely with and/or directly impact financial aid administration, including Registrar’s, Admissions, and Student Accounts/Cashiering Offices.
• Previous experience with financial aid programs designed specifically to support university recruitment, retention, and graduation goals.
• Experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Campus Solutions and ImageNow.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Name and contact information for three professional references