Associate Director of Graduate and Professional Financial Aid

Reporting to the Executive Director of OSF, the Associate Director of Graduate and Professional Financial Aid is a member of the OSF leadership team and has administrative authority, overall supervision, and management responsibility for financial aid compliance within Graduate, Professional and Medical School programs in the Office of Student Finance (OSF).

This position is a key leadership position within the Office of Student Finance and Academic Support Resources and is responsible for assisting in the creation and enforcement of financial aid packaging policies and philosophies, managing a team of 6 FTE. The Associate Director assists in setting overall OSF goals and direction and identifies opportunities to improve and maintain financial aid compliance throughout the institution and within the functional areas. This position has administrative authority and management responsibilities covering a broad scope of programs with institutional compliance impacts.

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

Essential Job Functions*

Strategic Leadership and Management of Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Programs: (40%)

• Serve as functional leader for University regarding financial aid for all graduate and professional (including Medical School) programs at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
• Directly supervise 6 counselors who award/adjust financial aid for graduate and professional students and provide counseling on related matters at the University of Minnesota. Supervision/management responsibilities include, but are not limited to: hiring, training, formal and informal performance appraisals, delegation of work assigned and on-going work performance coaching.
• Serve as a member of the OSF management team and work collaboratively with other management team members in the Executive Director's absence.
• Coordinate with the federal Department of Education and the Minnesota Higher Education Office on federal and state regulations and assist in communication between OSF and these offices related to functional areas.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules and policies of the Department of Education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and the University of Minnesota in functional areas.
• Develop a network of individuals in the Department of Education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and various professional organizations to foster a collaborative relationship with OSF.
• Respond to requests from outside organizations to facilitate their access to OSF information.
• Monitor policy interpretation and updates and changes in federal and state regulations.

Serve as an expert resource for the University community regarding financial aid related matters: (30%)

• Serve as Office of Student Finance representative on department, divisional, and institutional committees regarding all career financial aid priorities.
• Collaborate with campus partners to address student specific and general financial aid related issues.
• Advise on appropriate solutions to resolve questions, complex situations, and errors needing correction.
• Regularly provide training and updates to the campus community on financial aid information.
• Assist the University in shaping financial aid policy and policy responses for the University of Minnesota system.

Project Prioritization and Implementation within Office of Student Finance and Academic Support Resources: (20%)

• Serve as Office of Student Finance lead for project prioritization and management for functional areas within the position.
• Work collaboratively with other functional leads throughout Academic Support Resources to ensure that Office of Student Finance needs are met, while still supporting divisional priorities.
• Implement new functionalities and processes within the Office of Student Finance that have been prioritized.
• Ensure that Office of Student Finance is well-represented on additional projects that impact work done within unit's teams.

Coordinate Annual Student Financial Aid Planning Cycle: (10%)

• Develop the financial aid Cost of Attendance Budgets for the financial aid cycle each year, full-time budgets, half time budgets, and summer budgets for all students/careers for Twin Cities and Rochester campuses.
• Work directly with Academic Support Resources Information Technology team to ensure budgets are properly loaded and executed within PeopleSoft.
• Assist the Executive Director to set objectives, determine strategies, and develop procedures to assure the accurate and timely processing of student financial aid.
• Implement relevant policies, established by the Regents, University Administration, Student Finance, and federal, state, and external agencies to assure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

*The employer reserves the right to change or add duties to this position as long as the changes and/or additions are consistent with the job classification.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least eight years of relevant experience
• Previous experience supervising full time employees.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of student financial aid, University, and/or regulatory compliance.
• Ability to lead and implement projects or priorities.
• Ability to analyze and interpret federal and state regulations.

Preferred Qualifications (Core Competencies)

• Master's degree.
• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

The Office of Student Finance (OSF) manages the initial components of the student finance lifecycle for all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financial aid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination, disbursement, recalculation, and return of financial aid. This compliance-forward unit also manages the student finance portion of internal and external audits and partners closely with other Academic Support Resources (ASR) units with billing, accounts receivable, and loan/account collections work.

Pay Range: $108,000 - $113,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment, 12 month

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

A resume and cover letter are required for a complete application.

Applications will be accepted through midnight on September 1, 2025.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).