Associate Director Student Financial Services

The Associate Director of Financial Aid provides operational leadership for the University’s financial aid and scholarship functions, overseeing day-to-day student service operations, scholarship awarding, workflow management, and an assigned team within Financial Aid. The position ensures financial aid processes are completed accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with federal, state, institutional, and regulatory requirements while monitoring workloads, delegating responsibilities, supporting budget management, and maintaining effective communication with internal and external constituents. The Assistant/Associate Director also leads the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of departmental processes and initiatives; supports special projects and staff training; and fosters a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team environment. Through strong leadership and sound financial aid administration, the position advances student success, supports University enrollment and organizational goals, and safeguards the integrity and effectiveness of financial aid operations.

Position Accountabilities

• Supervise, develop, and provide ongoing training to assigned Financial Aid team members, establishing expectations for performance, professionalism, accountability, and student service consistent with standards established by the Director of Student Financial Aid.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and best practices to ensure compliance and support the department’s ability to respond effectively to regulatory and operational changes.
• Monitor financial aid processing workflows and student records using PowerFAIDS, Workday, and other systems to identify incomplete files, processing delays, and service needs; develop and coordinate targeted outreach and resolution strategies.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex student and family financial aid concerns, resolving issues within established authority and referring appropriate matters to the Director of Student Financial Aid.
• Manage and monitor the Student Employment budget for Federal Work-Study and institutional student employment programs, including monthly reconciliation and reporting to the Director of Student Financial Aid.
• Serve as backup to the Student Employment Administrator, supporting the timely and accurate processing, onboarding, and administration of student employees.
• Assist with the annual development, review, and maintenance of financial aid policies and procedures, ensuring departmental documentation reflects current regulations, institutional policies, and operational practices.
• Assist with the reconciliation and oversight of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship funds, ensuring awards are accurate, appropriately documented, and administered in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Provide operational oversight of institutional scholarship programs, including awarding, eligibility review, renewal, reconciliation, and coordination with Admissions, Athletics, Academic Affairs, and other University partners to ensure scholarships are administered consistently and strategically.
• Coordinate with University Advancement and the Park University Foundation on donor-funded and Foundation scholarships, supporting eligibility review, awarding, reconciliation, stewardship requirements, and effective utilization of available scholarship funds.
• Partner with Admissions and other University departments to support recruitment, orientation, and enrollment events and provide timely financial aid and scholarship guidance that enhances the prospective and current student experience.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling confidential information, analyzing complex situations, resolving operational issues, and making decisions appropriate to the responsibilities and authority of the position.

Scope

As part of daily operations, the Associate Director will oversee 3-4 staff members who all play a vital part in the loan and scholarship awarding process. 

Organization

This position will report to the Director of Student Financial Aid.  Positions that report to the Associate Director are Financial Aid Counselors, the Student Employment Administrator and the Scholarship Coordinator.

Challenges and Opportunities

Must have exceptionally strong communication skills and able to interact effectively with students, administrators, faculty and staff.  Expected to manage multiple projects under time constraints, use critical thinking, work under pressure, and oversee work of others.

Position Requirements:

·         Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Preferred

·         Experience with COD and NSLDS

·         Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations required

·         Knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and guidelines.

·         Knowledge of department and university policies, procedures, and practices with the ability to answer work related questions.

·         Effective organizational and management skills.

·         Ability to adapt quickly to changes in rules and regulations.

·         Ability to develop and interpret financial data/plans and manage resources.

·         Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other staff at all levels and with diverse student populations.

·         Ability to operate financial aid software programs and external systems and web page content management systems. 

·         Perform assigned responsibilities, duties, and tasks according to established practices and procedures with minimal supervision.

·         Ability to manage interpersonal conflict situations requiring tact, diplomacy and discretion.

·         Other duties as assigned.

 

Physical Requirements

·         While performing the duties of this job, the employee may sit for long periods of time, occasionally walk and stand; hand dexterity to operate computer; hearing and eyesight for counseling, phone and computer work.

Founded in 1875, Park University is a private, liberal arts university. Park’s flagship campus is located in the Kansas City suburb of Parkville, Missouri, on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.  We offer an excellent benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement plan, and tuition-paid undergraduate classes for employees and dependents. Park University is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.

Qualified applicants must upload a resume and cover letter that includes salary requirements.