Assistant Director
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As the Assistant Director, you will assist in the administration of Miami University’s scholarship and financial aid programs. Reporting to the Associate Director, you will support strategic initiatives, compliance auditing, communications planning, and process optimization. This role involves collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, enhancing the student experience, and maintaining the accuracy and efficiency of financial aid operations. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, balancing flexibility with a commitment to excellence.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Scholarship and Fund Administration: Assist in the oversight and awarding of over $8 million in scholarships annually, including specialized funds and programs. Review, award, audit, and update nominations, expenditure plans, and fund balances to ensure compliance with financial aid policies. Support the processing of student payments for scholarships, fellowships, and stipends with accuracy and accountability.
- Reporting and Data Management: Assist in generating, validating, and maintaining critical reports, including fund balances, unawarded report, and general audits of financial aid data. Provide insights to inform decision-making and enhance transparency. Conduct audits of aid-year fund codes, expenditure plans, and financial aid reports to ensure accuracy and compliance. Address overspent funds and maintain proper documentation.
- Process and System Oversight: Participate in the New Aid Year Committee annually, implementing updates and changes to forms based on committee decisions. Assist with the annual forms roll, including updating, testing, and implementing financial aid forms, workflows, and database system changes. Streamline and support operational processes, such as fund rolls, GPA terminations, and MAI incoming eligibility assessments, to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
- Communications and Outreach: Develop and execute communications, including proofing and sending emails, postcards, texts, and updating portal text by the established deadlines. Collaborate on creating and reviewing student-facing resources such as videos, postcards, timelines, to enhance engagement. Contribute to the annual updates of financial aid cover letters, scholarship pages, and cost of attendance materials. Coordinate the testing and quality assurance of financial aid offers, addressing feedback and resolving issues. Provide expert guidance to students, parents, faculty, and staff on financial aid inquiries, eligibility, and program specifics.
- Website and Policy Maintenance: Oversee updates to the financial aid website, ensuring compliance and standards. Maintain and improve documentation, policies, and procedures to reflect current practices. Contribute to the development and refinement of departmental policies and procedures related to scholarship administration.
- Team Support and Collaboration: Act as a resource for staff, answering questions and providing guidance on reports, forms, communications, and processes. Serve as a backup for other scholarship staff during absences, ensuring smooth operations.
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned to assist the Associate Director in achieving departmental goals.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree; Or an Associate’s Degree and two years of related experience; Or four years of experience in operations, technology, or a business environment.
- Proficiency in data entry with a strong attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in financial aid administration.
- Proficiency in project management, data analysis, and process improvement.
- Experience in higher education.
Key Competencies and Attributes:
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to assist in managing complex processes and priorities effectively.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on delivering exceptional service.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to identify and resolve issues proactively.
- Self-motivated and proactive in both independent and team-oriented environments.
Required Application Documents
Resume and cover letter
Special Instructions (if applicable)
None
Additional Information
A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.
This organization participates in E-Verify.
Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.
Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.
Diversity Statement
Miami University is committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, research, and working environment for all. For more information on Miami University’s diversity initiatives, please visit the Office of Transformational and Inclusive Excellence webpage. For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.
Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.
Labor Law Posters for Applicants
Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.
