Assistant Director-Financial Aid Student Services- UTK Position Available In Knox, Tennessee

Assistant Director-Financial Aid Student Services- UTK University of Tennessee Health Science Center – 4.0 Knoxville, TN Job Details Full-time $54,000 – $58,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Employee discount 403(b) Qualifications Education administration Management Microsoft Office Supervising experience Bachelor’s degree Continuous improvement 1 year Ellucian Senior level Associate’s degree Leadership Communication skills Full Job Description The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for our Assistant Director Financial Aid Student Services position. We are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to enhance the accessibility of higher education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and improving the recruitment and graduation of our students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been ranked by Forbes as one of America’s best large employers, as recognized on the 2024 list. The target starting salary for this position is $54,000 – $58,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This is an on-campus position with some hybrid/remote work schedule flexibility. Under the immediate direction of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director provides critical leadership, management, and oversight within the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. This position supervises assigned staff, oversees day-to-day counseling operations, and coordinates all elements of verification, appeals, and professional judgment. The Assistant Director shares in administering federal, state, and institutional aid programs and plays a key role in ensuring compliance, delivering excellent customer service, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. This role requires a blend of financial aid expertise, technical skill, management ability, and problem-solving strength, as well as the ability to provide support to students, families, staff, and campus stakeholders.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree OR a combination of an associate degree and experience totaling at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student services, or higher education administration.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in higher education administration, financial aid administration or student services. OR
• 1-2 years of supervisory or team lead experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, the public, the university community, and external constituencies.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Ability to work independently and under time constraints.
• Ability to collaborate and work independently.
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate job assignments.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency with financial aid management systems (such as Banner), Microsoft Office Suite, and CRM/ticketing systems.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to resolve complex student issues and improve business processes.
• Commitment to customer service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to coach and develop staff.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and programs, including Title IV, SAP, verification, and professional judgments.

Benefits:

University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

• Generous paid leave , accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members
• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods The Division The Enrollment Management (EM) division comprises more than 190 full-time staff who serve our students through the following departments and functions: Undergraduate Admissions, International Recruitment, Transfer Center, One Stop Student Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Center for Financial Wellness, University Registrar, Pre-college Research Excellence Programs, EM Research & Analytics, EM Communications, and EM Operations.

The Division of Enrollment Management is committed to our Vision, Mission and Values . We are passionate about fulfilling our land-grant mission of accessible education and making an impact that will transform lives through the student experience.