Director - Student Services and Customer Relations

Title:
Director - Student Services and Customer Relations

Department:
Student Financial Aid Services

Reports To:
Exec Dir Student Fin Aid Srvcs

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Director - Student Services and Customer Relations is a key member of
a management team responsible for departmental operations regarding student and
family services, recruitment and retention activities, and outreach, with
special attention given to established enrollment goals. The Director will lead
training
efforts for key customer service staff and advisors in the Student
Financial Aid Services and collaborating offices to support efforts in
recruiting and retaining students as they relate to the financial aid
enterprise and will work with the Executive Director of Financial Aid in making
suggestions for business process redesign and communications plans to support
these efforts. The incumbent will provide leadership by developing long- range
objectives and innovative plans as they relate to the pursuit of excellence and
the highest standards of performance as outlined in NJIT's strategic plan.

Essential Functions:
- Supervise and manage all aspects of the Financial Aid Customer Care staff and
activities. Develop, train, and provide leadership to the financial aid
customer service and counseling staff.
- Together with the Executive Director work on identifying departmental needs,
confidential personnel matters, management of the operational budget, and
overall problem resolution.
- Formulate and establish policies relating to all facets of customer service
and communications.
- Provide broad oversight and management of the call center and all digital
financial aid customer service support tools, including the chatbot and
website, and monitor and report on productivity and usage reports.
- Supervise and investigate complex issues relating to service. Develop and
implement an escalation plan as the final authority for the resolution of
such issues.
- Provide guidance and train counseling staff in the Office of University
Admissions to promote exceptional service to students and families in support
of strategic enrollment goals. Manage the coordination of all financial aid
outreach activities including Admissions Open House events, Admitted Student
events, new student orientation, resource fairs, college fairs, and
presentations to on- and off- campus constituent groups. Approve presentation
materials, deliver presentations, and provide follow-up counseling to
students and families on all aspects of education financing and financial
aid.
- Establish and maintain a financial literacy training program for students,
with the ultimate goal of providing ongoing financial literacy support and
education for the larger university community.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of best practices in financial aid management
and a thorough understanding of related regulations.
- Demonstrated experience providing positive and proactive approaches in
identifying problems, creating innovative solutions, managing projects,
leading teams collaboratively, implementing efficiencies, and effectively
using technology.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and the ability to work with a
diverse community;
- Monitor institutional awards for admitted students to support tuition
discount limitations and enrollment goals.
- Represents the office throughout the campus as well as externally and serves
as the subject-matter expert and resource to faculty, staff, and students
throughout the university community.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
- A minimum of 7 years of professional experience working in a
financial aid office at an institution of higher education.
- Knowledge of Title IV regulations.
- Exceptional customer service and interpersonal/counseling skills and
proven leadership in engaging and managing staff.
- Strong oral and written communication, leadership, organization, and
presentation skills.
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations programs.
- Experience with systems related to financial aid administration,
including COD, NSLDS, and FAA Access.
-At the university's discretion, the education and experience
prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and
experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in admission and recruiting (with an emphasis on educational
financing) preferred.
- Experience with interpreting survey data.
- Bi-lingual (Spanish, preferred)

Bargaining Unit:
Non-Aligned

Range/Band:
11

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time

Special Instructions for Applicants:
Candidates should submit a cover letter.