Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

University of California Merced

Job ID
61050

Location
Merced

Full/Part Time
Full Time

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $92,300. - $175,700. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 (commuensurate with experience).


Job Closing Date

This position is approved for a Hybrid work modality.

Initial applicant review will take place on or about December 4, 2023. Posting will close upon final selection.


About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.


About the Job

The role of Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UC Merced is an administrative staff position that currently reports to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. In this capacity, the director plays a crucial role in shaping campus financial aid policies and developing strategies for the efficient utilization of funds. These efforts are geared towards advancing the University's strategic enrollment goals for student recruitment and retention. This position carries the responsibility of overseeing the accurate and timely administration of myriad financial aid programs, ensuring strict adherence to federal, state, UC system, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures. Additionally, the incumbent is expected to provide effective leadership, aligning with the Enrollment Management division's commitment to delivering transformational support for student success through our quality service standards of Care, Guidance, Access, and Efficiency.


Key Responsibilities:

Advance the departmental mission of providing accessible and inclusive financial aid, student support, and financial wellness services that promote student recruitment, retention, and benefits beyond degree completion to ensure that a world-class education is an affordable reality.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, University, agency regulations in accordance with financial aid policies and programs.

Collaborate with Enrollment Management Directors to plan enrollment and retention efforts, including reviewing data analytics, developing recruitment strategies, planning Admission's regional receptions, coordinating anti-melt efforts, strategic communications, marketing, and outreach.

Collaborate with the UC Office of the President Student Financial Support staff, other UC Financial Aid Directors, and UCDC Government Relations staff on regulatory updates and UC policies. Advise the Vice Chancellor on operational and regulatory changes, personnel matters, and departmental needs.

Develop and deliver financial aid webinars, outreach presentations, and information sessions.

Manage departmental HR-related activities, such as creating Job Descriptions, initiating recruitment requests and market equity reviews, hiring decisions, retention offers, STAR Award nominations, performance actions, and timesheet approvals.

Collaborate with the IT Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Institutional Research and Decisions Support (IRDS), and the Financial Aid Leadership Team to safeguard the security and privacy of confidential financial aid information, following FERPA, HEA, Federal Privacy Act, Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA), California Ed Code, and UC policies.

Oversee effective funds management activities including reconciliation activities, FISAP, operational budget, FWS and LAEP program administration.

Review and approve the campus' annual University Student Aid Program (USAP) self-help expectation for award packaging.

Oversee the administration of institutional and external scholarships and their coordination with other aid.

This includes working closely with the Development Office on Gift Agreements language and donor relations.

Coordinator and/or participate in the review and response to annual financial aid audits.

Develop the Financial Aid Annual Report and Assessments.

Disseminate timely updates to departmental staff and schedule monthly all-staff meetings. Identify and approve staff development and training opportunities.

Represent UC Merced OFAS on both systemwide and campus-wide committees.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (required); and

7 years of related experience (required); and

7 years of experience as a permanent Financial Aid Director, Deputy Director, and/or Associate Director at a university (preferred); and

Experience as a Director, Deputy Director, and/or Associate Director in the UC system (preferred).

Critical Experience, Knowledge, and Competencies:

Advanced knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid, including needs analysis and packaging.

Advanced knowledge of techniques for recruitment and retention of students through financial aid.

Advanced knowledge of university policies, processes, and procedures related to budget, accounting, human resources, IT, and student services.

Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.

Advanced skills in policy and program development.

Advanced problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; judgment and decision-making ability.

Advanced quantitative analysis and resource management skills.

Skill and experience in project management and organizational effectiveness.

Advanced written and verbal communication, active listening, persuasion, and negotiation skills.

Advanced customer service orientation.

Strong ability to assess processes and implement improvements.

Advanced interpersonal skills including social perceptiveness.

Experience using complex databases. Strong ability to oversee and define specifications for financial aid systems programming.

Background Check

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.


Policy Statement

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply. The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

To apply, please visit: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucm/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=25&JobOpeningId=61050&PostingSeq=1







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About University of California Merced

UC Merced is the first new American research university built in the 21st century, with a mission of research, teaching and service. The campus opened Sept. 5, 2005, in the San Joaquin Valley. The university is about an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and 90 minutes west of Yosemite National Park. The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the phys...ical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/). The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.

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