Associate Director, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

Associate Director, Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

Apply now Job no: 538764

Work type: Staff Full‑Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Executive/Director/Management, Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support

Department:  - EM-STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMIN

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience.

The University of Florida's Division of Enrollment Management is looking for an Associate Director of Financial Aid Compliance to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the day‑to‑day compliance function for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. In this role, you will monitor and interpret evolving regulatory requirements, guide operational implementation, oversee quality assurance efforts, and ensure the office remains audit‑ready and program‑eligible.

• Provide leadership and direction for compliance activities across federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
• Track emerging, new, and proposed regulatory requirements and assess operational impact
• Translate complex regulations into actionable steps, timelines, and process adjustments
• Serve as the escalation point for complex or ambiguous compliance matters
• Ensure consistent regulatory interpretation and decision‑making across the office
• Maintain audit readiness and program eligibility
• Develop, maintain, and manage office policies, procedures, SOPs, and job aids for compliance‑critical functions
• Oversee formal approval workflows, version control, and publication of documentation
• Ensure policies remain current, accurate, and aligned with regulatory expectations
• Promote adoption of standardized practices and clearly communicate compliance expectations
• Manage structured review cycles to ensure staff have reliable procedural guidance
• Manage compliance and reporting calendars to ensure timely completion of required reviews and submissions
• Monitor cross‑unit dependencies and identify potential risks or delays
• Proactively escalate concerns and maintain visibility into regulatory deadlines
• Support consistent follow‑through on recurring compliance activities
• Design and administer an internal quality assurance program, including randomized file reviews and targeted high‑risk sampling
• Document review outcomes and track trends
• Investigate compliance exceptions and conduct root‑cause analyses
• Recommend and implement corrective actions through process updates, training, and workflow adjustments
• Strengthen internal controls to reduce recurrence and enhance compliance performance
• Participate in leadership discussions and contribute to policy development
• Support strategic initiatives related to financial aid regulations and compliance
• Represent the University of Florida in professional compliance settings
• Engage in ongoing professional development and collaborate with peer institutions to bring forward best practices
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership

$80,000 annually

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• State Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off (approximately 22 days of vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid holidays annually)
• Tuition Assistance (UF Employee Education Program)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer

• Extensive, progressive experience in financial aid administration, compliance oversight, and the management of complex aid programs.
• Proven experience managing multiple time‑sensitive initiatives while consistently meeting regulatory, operational, and institutional deadlines.
• Strong understanding of institutional enrollment strategies and the role of financial aid in supporting recruitment, retention, and overall student success.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and clearly communicate complex regulatory and financial information to a wide range of audiences.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, compliance requirements, and audit standards.
• Advanced analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate financial and operational data, identify risks or discrepancies, and implement effective process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and support teams in navigating complex compliance requirements while fostering trust, collaboration, and shared accountability.

Applicants must upload the following documents to be considered for the position:

• Resume
• List of References

Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment

Required:

No

Advertised: 12 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 26 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.