Excelling in quality, innovation, and impact, UCLA Extension (UNEX) is one of the top providers of continuing and professional education in the United States, offering programs and classes to more than 50,000 students per year through approximately 4,500 classes and certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of traditional, nontraditional, domestic, international, professional, and continuing education students throughout and beyond Los Angeles.Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (AEDI) is one of UCLA Extension's guiding principles. We strive to extend access to UCLA, our programs, and services to underrepresented communities and populations, while serving as a model organization for AEDI in the field of continuing higher education. Committed to attracting and retaining diverse staff & instructors, UCLA Extension welcomes your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Position Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Enrollment & Student Services, the Manager of the UCLA Extension Financial Aid Office plays a key leadership role, overseeing an office that serves 800 students per academic year who participate in Title IV Programs, institutional aid programs (Extension Grant, Endowed Scholarships), Americorps, private alternative commercial loans, private grant sources, and Veterans Educational Benefits. The Manager of the Financial Aid Office (FAO) is responsible for the hiring, training, and direct supervision of two full-time Financial Aid Advisors two and one Financial Aid Assistant. The position is charged with driving a culture of exceptional service in the FAO, including development and implementation of service standards, performance guidelines, and methods for assessing staff success.
The Manager will (1) contribute to the development of business metrics to assist the Financial Aid Office in working smarter and more efficiently; (2) manage financial aid programs; (3) oversee day-to-day operations; and (4) recommend changes to policies and procedures to ensure accurate, efficient, and timely delivery of student aid that is in compliance with federal, state and other relevant regulations. As a member of the Student Services Leadership Team at UNEX, the Manager participates in strategic planning, development of departmental goals and policies, the coordination of departmental work processes to support strategic objectives; and develops/tracks the annual FAO operating budget for UNEX.
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits. Qualifications
3 - 5 years Minimum of progressively responsible, related professional experience in student aid in a college/academic environment. (Required)
Genuine commitment to servant/connective leadership and helping to develop the next level of leadership in the department; Deep knowledge of personnel management (hiring and supervision) at the managerial level; make hiring decisions, conduct performance appraisals and counseling/coaching sessions, and implement corrective actions. (Required)
Strict adherence to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and mastery of the methodology, rules, regulations, policies, and processes that apply to Federal Title IV and other federal, state, and private student aid funding, and the skill to apply that knowledge fairly and accurately. (Required)
Ability to independently manage a caseload of students from initial contact through application, award of monies, and auditing during academic residency, ensuring rules and guidelines are followed to meet federal, state, and private audit compliance. (Required)
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to ensure direct, effective, respectful, and cooperative interactions with diverse groups of people, including students, instructors, senior-level administrators, staff, campus department. (Required)
Demonstrated analytical skills to interpret student data, identify trends, and anticipate impacts of proposals on policy and practices. (Required)
Demonstrated ability to advise, facilitate, problem solve, provide timely response, meet deadlines, and to work effectively and diplomatically under time pressures, frequent interruptions, and distractions in a fast-paced environment. (Required)
Ability to work with minimal supervision and to independently research and organize information. Exceptional judgment in knowing when an issue requires escalation or is politically sensitive. (Required)
Demonstrated expertise in using Financial Aid Management (FAM) system and service technology accelerators such as live chat platforms, CRM systems, student information systems, and automated phone systems, plus Microsoft Office products such as Outlook. (Required)
Demonstrated skill in all facets of financial analysis, planning, administration, and control. Ability to identify expense trends to forecast budget planning and analyze unit financial activity in compliance with university policies and procedures. (Required)
Demonstrated ability to successfully plan, organize, and implement logistical requirements of UCLA and UNEX programs related to student aid, including materials, information, and people, in a systematic way to optimize efficiency. (Preferred)
Detailed working knowledge of the academic/administrative rules and policies underlying UCLA Extension's Financial Aid and academic certificate programs including but not limited to SA505. (Preferred)
Mastery of UC/UCLA regulations, guidelines, policies, procedures, and systems that govern student aid programs, including specific knowledge of the Financial Aid Management (FAM) system. (Preferred)
Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
Special Conditions for Employment
Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
Why work at UCLA? Benefits:UCLA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including an average of three weeks' vacation per year; an average of 12 days per year sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; health, dental and optical benefits; life insurance; disability insurance; the University of California Retirement Plan with 5 year vesting and various voluntary UC Savings Plans. There are also special programs and privileges available, such as accessibility to cultural and recreational programs, athletic events, and the University Credit Union. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
