Associate Director Of Student Financial Servi

About Alvernia University 
Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. 
Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. 
Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education. 
Job Summary:Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Financial Services, the Associate Director is a highly motivated professional who is responsible for maintaining a knowledge base of federal, state, university, and institutional student aid funding as well as regulations and procedures. This individual must also possess the ability to work well with students, faculty, and staff and manage employees at all levels within a diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment. This individual must possess excellent attention to detail, a process-improvement focus, good training, analytical and documentation skills, and the ability to provide systems and operational support to the SFS Office. They should also have good proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications. This individual will also provide professional assistance to families/students as needed while working in an active, fast-paced environment. The position requires assisting with systems processing, verification, scholarship awarding, packaging, SAP appeals, R2t4s, presenting at financial aid events, and working extended hours, including some nights and weekends.Essential Functions:

Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University's Ideal Characteristics. As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.Maintain strict confidentiality of all activities in the Office of Student Financial Services.Provide excellent customer service and support to the Student Financial Services Office.Assure consistent application of office policies & procedures.Management of the SFS Specialist and assist with supervision of the support staff.Financial Aid Counseling of prospective and current students and families regarding financial aid options.Responsible for resolving routine student accounts, financial aid, and academic questions & concerns.Represent the University on and off campus at recruitment events, financial aid information sessions, open house events, Accepted Student’s Day, Connection Day, etc.Participate in professional development opportunities and professional organizations on the regional, state, and national levels, including PHEAA, PASFAA, NASFAA, PowerFaids, etc.The position requires some work nights, weekends, extended work hours, and travel to off-site locations.

Additional Responsibilities:

Responsible for assisting the Sr. Director with system management, including administration and set-up of the financial aid system.Responsible for management and supervision of import/export process, resolution of federal aid issues and rejects.Responsible for assisting in managing the counselors and support staff in the absence of the Director of Student Financial Services.Responsible for packaging traditional undergraduate day students, both new and returning.Responsible for assisting the Sr. Director with anticipated aid and disbursement of aid, including tracking of undisbursed aid, resolution of disbursement issues, and communication with counseling staff on missing or outstanding documentation.Assist the Director of Counseling with review/approval of housing appeals.Assist the Sr. Director with the FA Satisfactory Academic Progress process.Assist the Sr. Director with tuition exchange and endowment fund awarding.Responsible for monthly reconciliation of federal aid programs and cash management liaison with Student Accounts.Manage Inceptia accounts.Assist the Sr. Director with completion of annual reports including CDS, US News, AICUP, and IPEDs. Assist the Sr. Director with Audit Prep.

Qualifications/Education:

Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.Five or more years of progressive financial aid and staff supervision experience required.Thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations, as well as experience in awarding and processing institutional aid.Must provide exceptional customer service, specifically related to the mission of the university.A minimum of 2 years of staff supervisory experience.Experience with PowerFaids, Power Campus, NSLDS, COD, and EdConnect preferred.Demonstrate strong interpersonal and customer service skills across varied audiences such as students, families, staff, alumni, and the community.Ability to manage multiple projects with time-sensitive deadlines, working as part of a team as well as independently with little supervision and additional hours as needed.Ability to diffuse difficult or emotional situations with students and/or families.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePoint.

Physical Requirements:

Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.