Description

Job Summary:

The position is responsible for comprehensive management and development of training and outreach for scholarship and financial aid programs and processes. Responsibilities include developing and overseeing training programs and content related to scholarships and financial aid policies, processes, programs, and administration; serving as office lead for ensuring training occurs consistently, effectively, and on a planned schedule; ensuring internal and external communications and outreach are delivered effectively and timely; and that services to students, families, and colleagues are innovative, accurate, and timely. Responsibilities may include effective supervision of permanent and/or temporary staff members. Position can be fully remote from most domestic locations.

Qualifications-

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related area of assignment or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Four years of progressively more responsible management experience. Background knowledge of assigned department’s area of specialization in order to analyze, plan and draw conclusions for recommendations to superiors. Demonstrated leadership skills in planning and directing employees and processes in order to effectively monitor and develop subordinates and to ensure the smooth operation of department.

Master’s degree in a related area may be preferred. 

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences       

Strongly prefer previous experience developing and delivering training on financial aid administration, as well as previous experience in compliant administration of Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs.

Requirements

Responsibilities 

TRAINING

        Establishes, monitors, and maintains training calendars/plans in consultation with fellow managers

        Develops and manages effective and compliant training programs for staff; Conducts general or specialized training sessions; Assists office supervisors in planning and developing training for the staff they supervise

        In collaboration with office management team, establishes and modifies, as necessary, on-boarding training plans/content that is position-appropriate; cultivates and implements refresher training annually

        Helps staff formulate training objectives and utilize appropriate instructional methods; Selects or develops teaching aids and reference works

        Formulates teaching objectives that conform with selected instructional methods such as individual coaching, group instruction, lectures, demonstrations, conferences, meetings, and workshops

        In collaboration with office Administrative Manager, maintains documentation of training and professional development activities for office

        Serves as part of team to assess training needs of office; identifies training and professional development opportunities

        Maintains office library of presentation/training content and related materials

        Assists management with strategic planning of departmental objectives and develops training mechanisms designed to enhance unit, divisional, and institutional goals

        Helps ensure timely, accurate, and complete information is available and disseminated to students, parents, and colleagues

        Professionally addresses and works toward resolution of complex or novel situations encountered

        Actively aids in the office’s professional delivery of services, including maintenance of data/information security, privacy, and confidentiality

        Completes multiple complex analyses and develops reports used to monitor and assure service and processing benchmarks, as well as accuracy of eligibility and payments

        Serves as subject matter expert and is proactive in advancing processing, service, and eligibility monitoring

OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS

        Develops, implements, and monitors comprehensive plan to delivery of and participation in outreach events and programming related to financial aid and scholarships; ensures events and programs are well-planned and scheduled effectively

        Collaborates well with campus and community partners and ensures effective staffing and training for events and programming

        Develops, implements, and monitors annual calendar of planned and strategic office communications

        Establishes, implements, and monitors effective schedule of services providing information and advising/counseling on available financial aid and scholarship programs, application and eligibility requirements and processes, affordability options, and related information; responsibilities include identifying and implementing mechanisms to appropriately and effectively serve students, families, colleagues, and the public

        Uses training lens and consumer information lens (targeted and audience-specific to the maximum extent practicable) for the design, content, and delivery of communications, outreach, and services; includes website content as well as system-generated and staff-generated email templates

        Helps ensure policies and procedures (including rights and responsibilities) are communicated to students, families, and colleagues in an accurate, timely, effective, thorough, equitable, and inclusive manner

        Effectively determines and conveys student and program eligibility requirements, particularly

pertaining to resolving student/parent inquiries for assistance; ensures appropriate level of investigation to aid in thorough, accurate, and timely responses

        Assists with development of office-wide policies and procedures and calendars, including ensuring content is current and accurate, and that emerging trends or anomalies are noted appropriately

        Follows established protocol for contact with media

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONALISM

        Maintains current access to and a working knowledge of internal and external systems affecting position responsibilities

        Maintains current knowledge of policies, rules, regulations, technical standards, and high-impact practices associated with administering and delivering federal, state, institutional, and private programs, and associated systems and emerging technologies

        Actively participates in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; meets and communicates clearly with colleagues in similar positions/roles; research industry practices; shares resulting knowledge and research with management and staff in order to serve well the students and the institution

        Ensures area policies and procedures are current and accurate; Provides clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, interactions, and edits to records affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and/or policies

        Uses appropriate discretion, within regulatory and policy constraints, in eligibility guidelines, administration, and communications, including application of policies/requirements in an accurate, consistent, fair, and equitable manner

        Ensures clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, and interactions affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable policies

        Adheres to all statutory, regulatory, and policy guidance, including office policies and procedures

        Follows appropriate records management procedures and complies with record-keeping and archival requirements

        Maintains privacy and confidentiality of student and family data and information

        Maintains security of student records and related information

        Maintains professional appearance and demeanor, including when engaging students, families, colleagues, and members of the public

        Assists in training new employees (permanent and temporary, including interns and graduate assistants), as needed

OVERALL SUPPORT OF OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS

        Partners in monitoring and assurance that overall office operations are functional, accessible, efficient, compliant, and free of conflicts of interest

        Routinely and thoroughly reviews output and reports for accuracy and compliance

        Follows established timelines/calendars for projects/tasks

        As needed, serves on and/or oversees various office committees, which may include such functions as communications plan, appeals processes, outreach, personnel, forms and publications, etc.; position may also be asked to serve on Enrollment Management and/or University committees

        Advises senior management of anomalies, trends, or patterns affecting student and program eligibility

        Maintains effective working relationships and serves as a resource regarding scholarship and financial aid issues, policies, and procedures

        Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Executive Director

        Collaborates with other employees on office committees regarding policy, procedures, and training opportunities

        Actively participates in and contributes to overall office effectiveness

        This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.