University System of New Hampshire

Associate Director, Student Financial Services

Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in financial aid or student accounts administration with demonstrated managerial progression.
  • Familiarity with federal and state regulations related to higher education.
  • Strong public interaction, demonstrating effective communication with university and external parties.
  • Proficient in leadership and organizational skills, with 5+ years of supervisory experience.
  • Master's degree in discipline relevant to student services or business administration.
  • Experience with online data processing systems and statistical software.
  • Flexibility to work irregular hours as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and coordinate customer service team, ensuring effective in-office and remote support.
  • Develop and implement training programs for new hires and existing staff.
  • Resolve complex financial issues for students and families, negotiating payment arrangements as necessary.
  • Collaborate on cross-departmental projects aligned with the university's strategic plans.
  • Make decisions regarding exceptions to university policies, including fee waivers.
  • Coordinate preparation for new student orientation and related events.
  • Maintain relationships with various internal departments and external agencies.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness programs.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Flexible working hours to accommodate personal life and obligations.
  • Engagement in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
  • Involvement in university initiatives that contribute to student retention and success.
Full Job Description
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.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Customer Service:
  • 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.

Supervisor of Customer Service Team:
  • 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.

Student Account Portfolio Management:
  • 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.

Department Management Team:
  • 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.

Exceptions to policy:
  • 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.

First Year Programs:
  • 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

Internal and External Relationships:
  • 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


Minimum Qualifications:
  • 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.
  • Master's degree in a related field (e.g. student affairs, business, counseling).


Applicant Instructions:

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents)
  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Contact Information for 3 Professional References


Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

Compensation Pay Range:
$63,250.00 - $113,160.00

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location:
Durham

About University System of New Hampshire

The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) is the largest provider of postsecondary education in the Granite State. With more than 30,000 enrolled students and over 90,000 alumni living in state, the institutions of the University System have a direct impact on hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire citizens every year. The University System is committed to providing students with high-quality, affordable education that prepares them for success in their careers and their lives. The System is comprised of four institutions: Granite State College, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire. Each institution has its own unique mission and identity, but all share a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service to their communities.
Learn more about University System of New Hampshire

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