Associate Director of Student Financial Services- Financial Aid

POSITION: Full-Time Associate Director of Student Financial Services – Financial Aid (Associate Director):
Student Financial Services; Haverhill Campus; 37.5 hours per week; Non-Unit Professional Position.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Student Financial Services, the Associate Director provides direct management of college personnel and oversees the daily operations of student financial aid within the Student Financial Services Office. In collaboration with the Director of Student Financial Services, the Associate Director 
plans, organizes, and coordinates the development and implementation of assigned financial aid programs and services, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.

SALARY: Anticipated starting salary range is $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and 
excellent retirement benefits. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: ASAP

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Assist in the supervision of assigned staff, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, work assignment, performance guidance, and addressing employee concerns.
• Maintain full productivity and adherence to college policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in college, division, and departmental meetings, events, trainings, and professional development opportunities as approved by the supervisor.
• Serve on college committees, work groups, task forces, and professional organizations as appropriate.
• Conduct financial aid workshops and disseminate information to prospective and current students, families, and the campus community.
• Lead and support financial aid staff in file review, verification, and regulatory compliance processes.
• Manage financial aid fund administration, including packaging, year-round awarding, fund substitutions, and eligibility monitoring.
• Generate reports and build queries using institutional reporting tools.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and application of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, including the Federal Student Aid Handbook.
• Assist with the administration, distribution, and reconciliation of state financial aid programs in coordination with the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), including MassGrant, MassGrant Plus, MassReconnect, and MassEducate.
• Ensure accurate awarding and disbursement of federal, state, and institutional aid, scholarships, and grants in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Assist with maintaining compliant financial aid records in alignment with federal, state, accrediting, and institutional guidelines.
• Ensure staff are knowledgeable of financial aid policies and procedures and able to communicate them effectively to students and families.
• Identify staff development needs and provide coaching and support to promote employee success.
• Serve as a resource to staff when complex student, parent, or regulatory issues arise.
• Prepare and submit required reports to federal, state, and other regulatory agencies within established deadlines.
• Participate in audits, program reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Promote a student-centered office culture that supports learning and high-quality customer service.
• Provide hands-on leadership in departmental organization, processing, technology, and service delivery.
• Collaborate with Information Technology staff to implement system enhancements, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce manual processing, and improve efficiency.
• Support the college’s enrollment management initiatives.
• Primary location will be the Haverhill campus with a requirement of two days per week on the Lawrence campus.

THE COLLEGE: Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves about 5,000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful, historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts. Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center. Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown. Most recently, we have constructed a new 44,000 square foot health technologies facility, the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center. Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.
The College has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation, and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students, faculty, staff, and programs in order to grow and improve. NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making. These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based, institutionwide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream, a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps. 
We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. With over 40% Hispanic students, NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.
We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission, actively engaged in promoting diversity, and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
• Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of experience in the financial aid field 
• Knowledge of software systems used in the administration of state and federal financial aid programs 
(Ellucian Banner preferred).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, state financial aid policies and programs; needs 
analysis, verification, awarding, Satisfactory Academic Progress and direct loan processing.
• Knowledge of programs such as MassGrant, MassGrant Plus, MassReconnect, MassEducate preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, and the ability for creative problem-solving strategies, 
team-building, process re-design and innovation.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service. 
• Ability to assist with producing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data to contribute to decision 
making regarding financial aid policy and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community college student population.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
• Experience in a higher education environment
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.