Assoc. Director, Financial Assistance (A)

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The University of Miami/UHealth Department of Medical Education has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Associate Director, Financial Assistance to work in Miami, FL. The Associate Director, Financial Assistance oversees the operation of the financial aid program and promotes the delivery of excellent customer service to prospective and active students and their families, institutional staff members, external entities, and all other parties who contact the department. Furthermore, the Associate Director, Financial Assistance ensures the department’s adherence to institutional and governmental regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.

                                                                                                                                                                                            

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                                     

• Instructs students and parents on the application process.

• Assists in the decision-making on awarding scholarships, grants, and other monetary assistance.

• Maintains current knowledge of all available private, state, and federal financial aid programs.

• Audits financial aid accounts to ensure accuracy and reports any concerns to appropriate managing staff.

• Develops policies and procedures manuals, including daily office practices.

• Coordinates financial aid events and scholarship fairs.

• Develops financial aid policies and administers academic plan programs.

• Hires, mentors, supervises, trains, and evaluates department staff.

• Analyzes, evaluates, and reports on financial goals and objectives.

• Establishes and continuously assesses the effectiveness of the internal controls within the unit and compliance with University policies and procedures. Ensures employees are trained on controls within the function and on University policy and procedures.

Department Specific Functions

Financial Aid Administration & Operations

• Serves as the primary operational lead for the Medical School Financial Assistance Office, managing customer service activities, serving as the first point of contact for student inquiries, and resolving complex cases in a timely and professional manner.

• Implements the administration of FAFSA and CSS Profile processing, exercising professional judgment in the resolution of eligibility issues, verification requirements, CFLAGS, and awarding of federal, institutional, and private financial aid.

• Collaborates with lending partners and internal stakeholders to facilitate the effective processing, certification, and monitoring of private educational loans.

• Coordinates financial aid disbursement processes, including the return of funds, reallocations, corrections, and other adjustments to ensure accurate and timely delivery of aid.

• Modifies financial aid packages based on changes in enrollment status, budget adjustments, receipt of additional resources, and other eligibility considerations.

• Maintains student financial aid records and documentation in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and audit requirements.

• Serves as the designated backup for all critical financial aid operations to ensure continuity of services and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Compliance, Appeals & Policy Administration

• Administers and evaluates Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reviews and appeals, applying institutional and federal regulations to determine eligibility and ensure consistent decision-making.

• Conducts comprehensive reviews and recommendations for professional judgment requests, special circumstances, dependency overrides, and merit scholarship appeals in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines.

• Provides operational support of financial aid programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional, and accreditation requirements while maintaining audit readiness and accurate documentation.

• With the Sr. Director of Financial Aid and Enrollment Management develops, implements, and maintains financial aid policies, procedures, and operational workflows to promote compliance, consistency, and service excellence.

• Assists with reconciliation activities, reporting requirements, audits, and program reviews related to federal, state, institutional, and private funding sources.

• Maintains subject matter expertise in federal aid regulations, institutional methodology, and health professions financial aid administration, applying current best practices to support program effectiveness and regulatory compliance.

Student Counseling, Outreach & Financial Wellness

• Provides individualized financial aid counseling to prospective, incoming, and enrolled students and their families regarding financing options, indebtedness management, loan repayment strategies, and financial planning throughout the educational continuum.

• Leads financial aid outreach and education initiatives, including presentations, workshops, orientations, admissions events, and communications designed to enhance financial literacy, borrowing awareness, and student engagement.

• Coordinates financial aid activities related to admissions, orientation, registration, graduation, and other student lifecycle events to ensure seamless service delivery and support student recruitment and retention efforts.

Debt Management Program Leadership

• Leads the institution's debt management program, including all related operations, educational programming, events, resources, and student engagement initiatives.

• Engages with AAMC FIRST resources and other professional organizations to maintain expertise in physician loan repayment strategies, financial wellness, and emerging best practices.

• Partners with student leaders and institutional stakeholders to assess program effectiveness and ensure debt management programming remains relevant, engaging, and impactful.

• Develops key performance indicators (KPIs), evaluates outcomes, and recommends enhancements to strengthen the effectiveness, innovation, and strategic alignment of the debt management program.

• Leads the marketing, promotion, and event planning activities associated with debt management and financial wellness programming.

Other Responsibilities

• Supports institutional efforts related to student affordability, indebtedness monitoring, and financial wellness initiatives.

• Assists with additional projects, special assignments, and strategic initiatives as requested.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                                    

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience

• Knowledge of business and management principles.

• Ability to direct, manage, implement, and evaluate department operations.

• Ability to establish department goals, and objectives that support the strategic plan.

• Ability to effectively plan, delegate and/or supervise the work of others.

• Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and train others.

• Experience with graduate or medical school financial assistance is preferred.

• Experience with financial literacy and loan repayment programming is prefferered. 

• Experience working with data and budget analysis in a financial aid setting preferred.

• Experience with CSS Profile and institutional methodology is preferred.

• Growth mindset, enthusiasm for work and professional development.

• Excellent customer service skills and understanding of interpersonal communication with graduate and medical student population are required.

• Experience with College Board Powerfaids is preferrable.

• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office, and Copilot is preferable.

Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and/or certifications may be considered.

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The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff