Senior Assistant Director for Graduate and Professional Students

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid works to ensure that qualified students have the opportunity to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill regardless of their ability to pay. The office serves students at all levels, including graduate and professional school students and coordinates all student financial support for the campus. The office assists in the recruitment, retention and success of students while maximizing available funds, exercising good stewardship of those funds, and performing related research, analysis and program evaluation in support of long-range enrollment and campus goals. In addition, the office provides academic and co-circular support services for scholarships, provides financial literacy and educational tools, and partners with faculty and other student success areas across campus to provide excellent service to low- and middle-income students and other scholarship recipients. The work of the office is public in nature and closely scrutinized by students and their families, lawmakers, faculty and staff at the University, and by the media (local, regional, and national).

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) seeks a creative, collaborative, and highly organized professional to serve as Senior Assistant Director. This full-time, permanent EHRA Non-Faculty position reports to the Senior Associate Director and provides advanced administration, oversight, and counseling for financial aid programs serving graduate and professional students.

The Senior Assistant Director independently applies complex federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and professional judgment to determine student eligibility and make financial aid decisions, including decisions that commit University funds. The position provides comprehensive financial aid counseling to current and prospective graduate and professional students; reviews and analyzes FAFSA and other financial aid application data; oversees the accuracy of financial aid awards and disbursements; and resolves complex cases and exceptions requiring professional judgment.

The position serves as a key institutional resource and liaison for the Graduate School, individual schools and departments, the Cashier’s Office, Heels Hub, Registrar’s Office, and other campus partners. The Senior Assistant Director provides guidance regarding scholarship and financial assistance processes, supports the administration and reconciliation of graduate awards reported through GradStar, and assists campus partners in understanding the impact of departmental funding on financial aid eligibility.

In addition to direct student support, the Senior Assistant Director identifies operational challenges, develops and recommends process improvements, monitors emerging regulatory and programmatic requirements, and helps ensure consistent and compliant financial aid administration across campus. The position also represents OSSA in student and campus-facing settings, including presentations and outreach to prospective and current graduate and professional students. Through these responsibilities, the Senior Assistant Director serves as a subject-matter resource for graduate and professional financial aid and provides critical operational support to the senior leadership of OSSA.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities associated with the delivery and/or management of student support functions, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and at least 1 year of relevant experience in substitution.

Experience in financial aid, student financial services, student services, or a related higher education environment, including experience interpreting and applying federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies.
Demonstrated ability to independently analyze financial aid information, determine eligibility, make accurate award decisions, and exercise professional judgment in complex or exceptional circumstances.
Experience counseling students regarding financial aid policies, eligibility, and procedures. Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial aid policies clearly to students, families, and campus partners.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across organizational units, maintain confidentiality, and provide responsive, student-centered service.

Experience administering financial aid for graduate and/or professional students in a higher education setting.
Advanced knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and experience interpreting and implementing regulatory or policy changes.
Experience working with graduate schools, academic departments, or other campus partners in the administration of scholarships, financial aid, or other student funding.
Experience with GradStar or comparable scholarship/funding systems, including award reconciliation and resolution of discrepancies or over-awards.
Experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and/or Slate is strongly preferred.
Experience leading process improvements, developing procedures, providing training, or serving as a subject-matter resource to colleagues and campus partners.