Senior Assistant Director

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC
-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

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 Grad Star, 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…