Associate Director of Student Financial Aid

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The Associate Director of Student Financial Aid, reporting to the Director of Student Financial Aid, oversees compliance with financial aid regulations. This role involves monitoring, interpreting, and disseminating regulatory updates to key stakeholders within the Student Financial Aid Office and the broader Enrollment Management team. The Associate Director establishes procedures and guidelines to ensure adherence to all internal and external regulations, defining requirements, setting timelines, maintaining documentation, and developing communication plans. They also manage non-program specific Title IV compliance efforts, such as Return to Title IV, Gainful Employment, Financial Value Transparency, and Written Agreements, as assigned by the Director.

Furthermore, the Associate Director leads discussions on financial aid policy and independently reviews departmental policies and procedures. They serve as the primary contact for internal and external audits, including the annual Uniform Guidance audit, distributing work requests, verifying responses, and coordinating the timely submission of supporting documentation. As a member of the management team for the Student Financial Aid Office, the Associate Director collaborates with colleagues in the Enrollment Management division and across campus.

Core Responsibilities:

Regulatory Compliance:

• Monitors, interprets, and disseminates regulatory updates and other pertinent information to key stakeholders within the Student Financial Aid Office and more broadly to members of Enrollment Management.  Establishes procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with all internal and external regulations.
• Manages non-program specific Title IV compliance efforts such as Return to Title IV, Gainful Employment, Financial Value Transparency, Written Agreements, and other areas as assigned by the Director of Student Financial Aid.

Training and Staff Development:

• Responsible for identifying training needs through the quality assurance process.  Defines requirements, sets timelines, maintains documentation, develops communication plans, and trains staff on regulatory matters to ensure a well-informed and compliant, consistent, and effective customer service experience. 
• Maintains training materials for areas of oversight and creates a regular training calendar for all financial aid topics Enrollment Management staff. 

Audit Oversight:

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all internal and external audits, including our Uniform Guidance audit.  Distributes work requests to responsible colleagues, verifies responses, and coordinates the timely submission of all supporting documentation.  Keeps open lines of communication with the audit team to ensure an efficient audit and proactively resolve any misunderstandings.  Provides routine updates to senior management.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Manage or lead special projects as requested by the Director of Student Financial Aid.  

Inclusion and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of diverse audiences. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 5 to 7 years of direct and progressively-responsible experience in accounting or enrollment, ideally within a financial aid environment.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in business, higher education administration, education training or similar field.
• More than 7 years of directly related financial aid experience, preferably at a high select private research university.  

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Additional Information:

• This position will require the ability to travel to other campus locations.
• Weekend and evening hours may be required.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insuranceto an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays. Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Admissions and Financial Aid

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information: