Associate Director, Financial Aid Advising & Outreach

Associate Director, Financial Aid Advising & Outreach
Rasmussen University
Online/Remote

The Associate Director, Financial Aid Advising & Outreach is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Student Financial Aid (SFA) Advising and Outreach unit, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. This role provides leadership in financial aid counseling, financial literacy advising, and operational support, while fostering a student-centered, collaborative, and high-integrity work environment. The Associate Director, Financial Aid Advising & Outreach will supervise staff, assist with policy and procedural development, ensuring timely and accurate communication and financial aid service delivery to students.

Responsibilities:

• Supports the implementation of financial literacy, counseling, and outreach initiatives by coordinating day-to-day operations and aligning activities with central Student Financial Aid objectives.
• Collaborates with departments across the institution to support the processing and disbursement of state and federal financial aid, including applications, awards, and related communications, in compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.
• Organizes and hosts regular individual and team meetings to ensure timely and accurate information is shared.
• Contributes to the development and documentation of student financial aid policies and procedures by providing feedback and recommendations to the Director or senior leadership for review and approval.
• Assists with the development of process mapping and communication to assist in improving department efficiencies.
• Oversee daily activity of the advising and outreach team and related operations to maximize achievement of service level agreement metrics.
• Build and develop team members; responsible for performance management and hiring of direct reports, including onboarding, training, development, and cross-training of direct reports.
• Serves as a knowledgeable resource for team members on financial aid processes, compliance, and training, and ensures internal guidance is in alignment with policy.
• Assists with resolving complex or escalated student concerns and determines when to involve senior leadership for highly unique or sensitive matters.
• Serve as a working manager and assists team, when needed, to reach the goals of the department.
• Identifies and recommends process improvements and operational strategies to meet departmental objectives.
• Maintains awareness of institutional, federal, and accreditation policies and ensures team adherence to relevant compliance standards.
• Demonstrates an understanding of organizational policies, practices, and procedures, and supports staff in their application and understanding of these principles.
• Possesses broad knowledge of the Office of Financial Aid and is able to explain how various components of the student financial aid file impact the student experience and institutional processes.
• Attend and participate in team, SFA department meetings for the purpose of obtaining and sharing information.
• Participate in strategic planning activities.
• Embody the spirit of the University's mission and vision in daily activities.

Reporting Relationships:

The Associate Director, Financial Aid Advising & Outreach reports directly to the Senior Director, Financial Aid or Assistant Vice President, Student Financial Aid. The role oversees the Advising and Outreach unit and is responsible for the work of the teams within the unit, including Senior Managers/Managers, who oversee Advisors.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree Required. NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator Preferred.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in financial aid administration, with a strong command of federal and state regulations and compliance requirements.
• 3-5 years of experience managing and supervising teams; experience leading both on-site and remote staff preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop policies, procedures, and operational processes that support compliance and efficiency.
• Proven success in building high-performing, diverse teams and fostering a collaborative, solutions-oriented work environment.
• Strong understanding of the higher education landscape; experience in a for-profit educational setting preferred.
• Maintain eligibility to access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong customer service orientation, including professional demeanor and phone etiquette.
• Ability to articulate complex information clearly and support team members in understanding institutional policies and procedures.
• Results-driven mindset with the ability to lead change in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a strategic approach to decision-making.
• High level of professional ethics, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Detail-oriented with the flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong typing and computer skills.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to leverage technology and system integrations to improve operations.

About Us:

Rasmussen University, a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (www.hlcommission.org), is dedicated to changing lives and the communities it serves through innovative educational programs. As a pioneer in career-focused education since 1900, the University is defining a new generation of higher education that focuses on competency-based education, technology and transferable skills. Rasmussen offers undergraduate and graduate programs online and in person at 20 campuses around the country. The University is designed to lift and support its students every step of the way, from each student's first credential to their last. Rasmussen is dedicated to global enrichment, serving the underserved, and meeting the evolving needs of diverse students, communities, and economies. Rasmussen encourages its students, faculty, and staff to strive for academic excellence, community enrichment and service to the public good. Rasmussen is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information about Rasmussen University, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.

It is the policy of Rasmussen University to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons. We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Rasmussen University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request. Please send an email to recruiting@apei.com.