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The Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid reports to the Director of Financial Aid and will support the management of the Office of Financial Aid and the processing of federal, institutional, and state student aid funding. This position will ensure that the Office provides the highest level of customer service to students and parents to assist them in understanding their financial aid awards and account balances while at the same time maintaining compliance with all relevant federal and state regulations. This is an important role that requires accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills.

This is a time-limited position that cannot extend past 36 months.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Manage all aspects of processing student aid
• Responsible for providing supervision, support, training, and guidance to the Financial Aid Staff while maintaining College policies
• Award financial aid and assist with file review and verification process, including performing IM and FM need analysis calculations
• Interpret federal, state, and college regulations and policies to determine eligibility for need-based federal, state, and institutional financial aid
• Supervise staff members, leading the team through verification, awarding, and processing financial aid, and ensuring that there is coverage at all times to complete any task or request
• Maintain and enforce the department operations calendar and systems, including processes, communications, campaigns, training, and information updates
• Support leadership with annual audits of the financial aid office in addition to annual federal audits (including the annual FISAP), ensuring that all documentation is reviewed, complete, and accurate
• Oversee the reconciliation of federal and state funding
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform the job.

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred
• 7-10 years of experience in Financial Aid or Student Accounts required
• 7-10 years experience with Banner or similar financial aid management system
• Experience with counseling and student programming
• Experience working with diverse student populations preferred
• Experience working closely with students/families in a higher education environment is required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• Knowledge of student financial services
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work with students and parents in a friendly, courteous manner
• Ability to cross-train colleagues
• Ability to propose changes to current policies and procedures to increase customer service efforts
• Have strong communication skills that include the ability to present information in a public manner as well as one-on-one meetings
• Excellent written skills are expected
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a courteous and professional manner
• Inquisitive and analytical, with strong critical thinking skills. S/he will have the ability to solve problems, including the ability to help non-experts understand policies and processes
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and successfully prioritize tasks
• Commitment to and ability to work with diverse populations.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time
• Some travel with outreach programming and professional development is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Typical office conditions

Disclaimer: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.  Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Compensation: $89,900 to $112,500 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-11E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.