Associate Director, Student Financial Services

University of New Hampshire • University of New Hampshire - Main Campus, NH

7d • $63,250 - $113,160 • Onsite

About The Position

A member of the Student Financial Services management team responsible for coordination of scheduling, customer service, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. Direct responsibility for hiring, onboarding, and supervision of customer-facing staff and student workers, ensure adequate documentation for major SFS processes, First Year Programs (orientation, new student materials), and oversight of office websites and digital marketing.

Requirements

• At least five years’ experience in financial aid or student accounts administration with a demonstrated progression of managerial responsibility.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with the public, University community and external constituencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and decision-making ability.
• Demonstrated ability in leadership and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with on-line data processing systems and statistical software packages.
• Willingness to work irregular and flexible hours.
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee department customer service team, including OS & PAT staff, and work study students.
• Coordinate with all supervisors to ensure satisfactory customer service experience through adequate coverage in-office, phone, and email variable with semester/annual trends.
• Maintain acceptable response time for customer inquiries.
• Explore new/improved customer outreach options such as chatbot, or other emerging technologies.
• Work with systems team for any new implementations/ upgrades, and ad hoc queries for mass marketing campaigns.
• Authority to determine final outcomes in elevated customer service inquiries in coordination with all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Ensure university policies and procedures are consistently applied to all students.
• Oversee staff and work study students.
• Authority to hire vacant positions and manage any performance issues with customer service department staff.
• Coordinate new hire and continuing staff training opportunities to ensure thorough understanding of department functions and university policies.
• Develop and support cross-functional work teams to provide consistent application of office processes.
• Work as a team with other department leaders to ensure regulatory requirements are up to date in business processes, and policy.
• Strive for an inclusive, proactive work environment that promotes process improvement and customer-centered improvements.
• In conjunction with other supervisors, act in a decision-making capacity in the director.
• Resolve complex financial problems for UNH students, parents and debtors, frequently involving highly sensitive and difficult situations; counsel families on how to meet financial obligations. This requires extensive knowledge of financial aid processes and options; ability to deem creditworthiness for potential delayed payment arrangements; negotiation and analysis skills.
• Provide pro-active communications prior to semester opening to help students resolve and avoid problems when they arrive on campus.
• Oversee all collection activities on inactive student accounts, and foster relationships with external collection agencies.
• Participate as active member of departmental management team which is responsible for long- and short-term planning, problem-solving, staffing, and projects.
• Work closely with the Director and other leaders to document strategic plans, and align department activities with university retention initiatives.
• Review and make decisions regarding exceptions to university policy.
• An active member of the Financial Exceptions to University Policy – research and review appeals, communicate decisions.
• Oversee late fee waiver process, including exceptions to policy.
• Oversee handling of customer requests for waiver of mandatory fees and late fees. Handle customer issues and complaints.
• Coordinate with department staff to prepare new student orientation materials, make schedule of staff attending new student events including admitted student visit days, freshman orientation, etc.
• Build connections with Admissions and First Year Program offices to support university retention initiatives.
• Establish and maintain close relations with other UNH departments – Registrar’s Office, Admissions, Housing, Dining, Community Standards, academic departments, exchange programs, Controller’s Office, etc.
• Also work to enhance relationships with outside vendors and agencies, such as Nelnet and Citizens Bank.

Benefits

• USNH Employee Benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager