Associate Director of Student Financial Aid

Carnegie Mellon University has steadily built upon its foundations of excellence and innovation to become one of America’s leading universities. The university’s outstanding approach to education crafts leaders and problem solvers for the changing marketplace of today and tomorrow. Carnegie Mellon University’s financial aid philosophy fully meets financial need of every undergraduate student. This practice makes a Carnegie Mellon education an affordable option for many.

In the Student Financial Aid Office, we continue to work with each of the Carnegie Mellon University schools and unique situations of every student. We also focus on versatile policies and practices that build a sense of community among people with many backgrounds, skills, and strengths.

Carnegie Mellon University’s Student Financial Aid Office is searching for its next Associate Director. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. The Associate Director oversees the financial aid application process that serves all incoming and returning students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. You will set timelines, develop communication plans, and train staff to ensure a consistent and effective customer service experience throughout the process.

The Associate Director also serves as the department’s compliance officer. In this capacity, you will develop, maintain, and operationalize a compliance timeline, lead all non-program specific Title IV compliance efforts, and serve as the primary point of contact for all internal and external audits, including our annual Uniform Guidance audit.

Serves as a member of the management team for the Student Financial Aid Office and collaborates with colleagues in the Enrollment Services division and across campus.

Core responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate the financial aid application process
• Set timelines, develop communication plans and train staff to ensure a consistent and effective customer service experience throughout the process
• Establishes procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with all internal and external regulations
• Contribute to Program Participation Agreements, Eligibility and Certification Approval Reports, and the annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate
• Lead all non-program specific Title IV compliance efforts (e.g. Satisfactory Academic Progress, Written Agreements, Federal Verification, etc.)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all internal and external audits, including our annual Uniform Guidance audit
• Leads and participates in projects focused on student success
• Develops and implements effective assessment tools as well as reporting and metrics to identify, analyze, and implement business process improvements.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within the Student Financial Aid Office. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued proficiencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to optimally interact with a multifaceted population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.