Associate Director of Financial Aid Advising

University of Colorado•Hybrid, CO

2d•$94,830 - $99,985•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Financial Aid Advising is a full-time leadership role responsible for overseeing comprehensive financial aid advising services. This position ensures students receive accurate, timely, and empathetic guidance on financial aid opportunities, eligibility, application processes, and award management. This position is responsible for planning, decision-making, and leading a diverse team. As a key member of the Financial Aid and Scholarship leadership team, the Associate Director helps set and implement strategic goals and ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies. The Associate Director also acts as a liaison between the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and various schools, colleges, and programs, keeping them informed of policy changes and providing timely information to students. This role recommends strategy, has responsibility for fiscal and/or human resources and has the authority to act on the Director’s behalf when needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
6 years of professional experience in financial aid administration or a related higher education field, including experience leading teams, managing operational processes, and implementing strategic initiatives.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional aid regulations and policies.
Ability to develop and facilitate staff training programs to maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
Strong analytic, research, and organizational skills.
Ability to make independent decisions.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees at all levels throughout the organization.
Ability to communicate policies, procedures, and information with various departments/agencies, staff, and students and train personnel as relevant.
Ability to independently assess opportunities and situations and provide reasonable solutions focused on problem resolution.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Social Science, Communication, Finance, Public Administration, Compliance, Higher Education, Student Affairs or related field.
Experience working with Oracle PeopleSoft Campus Solutions.
Experience working with Federal and State aid regulations.
Experience working with graduate and professional students, especially those in health-related programs.

Responsibilities

Create and implement comprehensive strategic plans to optimize customer service staffing levels and enhance training programs, aligning them with the office’s goals.
Develop and implement strategies aimed at helping students manage their debt, providing them with the necessary tools and advice to make informed financial decisions.
Assist with implementation of new policies and procedures by coordinating training sessions for staff, providing clear and comprehensive documentation, and offering ongoing support to address any questions or challenges that arise during the transition.
Review and approve team-related standard operating procedures annually.
Lead the recruitment and development of a skilled team, ensuring they are well-equipped to support students effectively.
Act as a key point of contact for escalating issues, ensuring they are addressed promptly and effectively.
Collaborate with the processing team to review and update all communications and forms to ensure messaging is aligned with advising principles.
Implement strategies to enhance office operations and regularly prepare reports to track progress and outcomes.
Actively participate in the management team, contributing to strategic discussions and decisions.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the central Advising team, which consists of up to four (4) professional staff, additional temporary staff and 2-6 work study students, ensuring high levels of performance and customer satisfaction.
Provide advising support and regular guidance to financial aid staff members assigned to the School of Medicine, ensuring consistent communication, aligned practices, and reliable service delivery across multiple locations.
Manage fiscal resources for the Advising team such as expenses for training and development, events, and staff recognition.
Address and resolve intricate financial aid issues, providing students with clear and effective solutions.
Oversee daily advising operations, ensuring staff are scheduled to handle all forms of student contact, including emails, walk-ins, appointments, and phone calls.
Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members, fostering professional growth and development.
Monitor and analyze team performance metrics, implementing strategies to achieve departmental goals.
Identifies and prioritizes training needs for advising staff, provides strategic direction for training and professional development initiatives, and monitors performance and quality outcomes to ensure compliance, accuracy, and exceptional customer service.
Assist with advising students as needed.
Provide leadership and guidance to advising staff who serve as program liaisons, while personally managing high‑priority or complex collaborations with campus partners to ensure alignment, service excellence, and effective problem resolution.
Provide updates and training to campus units and departments to ensure compliance with federal, state and university policies and regulations.
Continuously seek to streamline processes and improve the student experience.
Collaborate with colleges to offer financial aid presentations and workshops at various programs and events, including orientation, open houses, and on-campus events.
Provide outreach presentations and workshops in the local community.
Participates in training seminars, conferences, committee meetings, etc. for professional development in the areas of Title IV financial aid.
Maintain a thorough understanding of federal, state and university policies and regulations and ensure all services adhere to these standards, safeguarding the institution’s compliance.
Maintain year-round training calendar to provide regular trainings for the Advising staff.
Promote professional development opportunities to the Advising staff.