Associate Director, Financial Aid

Department: Kellogg Admissions and Fin Aid
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Financial Aid will oversee and ensure that the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid Office are appropriately managed, efficient and effective for the Kellogg full-time 1Y/2Y/MBA/MMM, and MiM Financial Aid Programs. This role will provide advice, counsel, recommend changes and improvements to best assist the Kellogg Students with the financial aid resources/process/cycle. This role will supervise two Financial Aid Advisors. The Associate Director will be responsible for managing a scholarship budget in excess of $15MM, the financial aid workflow and the loan certification process. In addition, the Associate Director will be responsible for: Packaging of financial aid files for incoming and returning students which includes the awarding of loans and merit/need-based scholarships. Assisting students in person, via email and telephone communication regarding the financial aid options available, the process to apply for financial aid and receive funding, as well as debt counseling. Providing and analyzing the data for the office and marketing and communication survey requests for financial aid statistical information. Managing technology updates/improvements for the financial aid office. Testing SES updates-new regulations and releases as well as setting up and testing the annual financial aid specific data required in SES and troubleshooting/resolving all loan/SES issues that arise.

Specific Responsibilities:

Student Support:

• Counsel and assist both current and prospective students in person, by telephone, and via e-mail correspondence regarding financial aid programs, procedures and processes. Assist students with cash advances and or emergency loans.
• Participate in special event days including Day at Kellogg Admitted Student Events, and Prospective Student's Financial Aid Information Events. Participate in Financial Aid presentations for Students as well as Webinars. Orientation Sessions.

Packaging of Financial Aid Awards:

• Determine financial aid awards for both current and admitted students and prepare award packages consisting of low-interest loans (both federal and Institutional) and if eligible, grants and scholarships. Review and process financial aid appeals and adjustments.
• Collaborate with for the review and processing of the Public Non-Profit Loan Assistance Applications Awards.
• Author and monitor existing queries to assist with the processes and procedures of the financial aid office and to make sure files are current and complete.

Technology:

• Author and analyze queries to provide data for our office, and surveys requesting financial aid data points.
• Drafts and analyzes surveys for students regarding rent and book and supplies expenses.
• Provide SES Testing for the Information Technology Department for new regulations and releases. Responsible for Aid Year Set-ups in SES for each academic year which includes the online Kellogg Financial Aid application, checklists, aid year activation, and financial aid terms, budgets and automatic packaging.
• Attend the financial aid meetings with Information Technology and Student Financial Services.
• Managing technology updates and improvements.

Management and Leadership:

• Supervise and trains 2 Financial Aid Advisors
• Manage the process and certify federal and private education loan applications. Monitor loan activity of all loans and resolve problems
• Responsible for the organization and workflow of the office. *

Other Duties:

• Collaborate with for the review and approval of the Global Initiatives in Management financial aid budgets for the required trip of this course.
• Assist with Scholarship selection -gifts and endowments from individual and corporate donors.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree: OR equivalent combination education and experience where similar knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired.
• 5 Years of Experience working in a financial aid office/preference Graduate/Professional Programs.
• Experience supervising/managing/leading a team
• Strong knowledge of federal financial aid regulations.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office. Word, Excel, and Power point.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills.
• Strong Customer Service Skills.
• Web based software knowledge.
• Highly organized and strong attention to detail.
• Proven leadership and Management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work on a number of projects/work responsibilities at a time.
• Strong technological background and troubleshooting experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred. 7+ Years working in a financial aid office. Peoplesoft/SES. Image Now-Perceptive Content

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Sitecore Web Software experience
• Knowledge of Slate

Target hiring range for this position will be between $75,000 - $85,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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