Associate Director, Student Financial Services

Company: La Sierra University
Location: Riverside
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Student Financial Services seeks an Associate Director to be responsible for the daily administration of the Student Financial Services office. The ideal candidate assumes full responsibility for the office in the absence of the director. Directly supervises all financial counselors and front desk workers and assists director in the supervision of the processing/paperwork staff and student workers. Duties and Responsibilities · Assist the Director in supervising professional and support staff, including hiring, training, motivating, evaluating, and corrective actions (hiring/firing as needed) · Supervise daily operations of the office and coordinate full-time staff and front-desk schedules · Provide ongoing training for counseling staff, financial services staff, and student workers · Ensure friendly, professional service to students, parents, and campus/community partners · Expected to be physically present during regular business hours · Other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Financial Services. · Provide guidance on all aspects of the financial aid process: awarding, compliance, reporting, accountability, and quality assurance · Monitor the processing of financial aid files, including verification and loan certification · Remain current on federal/state regulations and institutional policies · Monitor and enforce Exception Contracts · Represent Student Financial Services on university committees (e.g., Endowed Scholarship, Emergency Student Aid, Student Finance Council Advisory Committee) · Attend national, regional, and state conferences/workshops (NASFAA, CASFAA, WASFAA, etc.) as requested by the SFS director · Provide comprehensive student financial counseling and administration. · Coordinate and conduct financial aid workshops as needed. · Process professional judgments, satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals and oversee SAP annually. · Oversee and review federal refund calculations and credit balance refunds. · Coordinate and supervise all loan activities, including but not limited to loan certification, providing loan disclosures and fact sheets, loan adjustments, loan indebtedness/default prevention guidance, and entrance and exit interviews Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Competency: Applicant will be able to translate goals/policies into operational plans and procedures through the administration of a university function. Will have latitude for independence of action within the function of the position and is directly accountable for accomplishment of the function. Education: Bachelor's degree required with master’s degree preferred. Experience: Applicant should have a minimum of 3 years of financial aid experience. Management of a financial aid office is preferable Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze and interpret common financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Math Ability: Ability to do math in order to ensure that student budget and billing records are accurate. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be competent in using the Microsoft Office Suite and competence using Banner is highly desired. Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervision of SFS Counselors and student employees Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Salary: $70,304 plus generous benefits · Comprehensive health coverage available · Tuition Assistance · 10 Paid Holidays · FSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identify Theft Protection services, and more.

Keywords: La Sierra University, Whittier , Associate Director, Student Financial Services, Accounting, Auditing , Riverside, California