Associate Director of Financial Aid

If you love the puzzle of federal compliance, the reward of balancing a budget, and—most importantly—helping students clear the financial hurdles between them and their college dreams, we have the perfect leadership position for you. The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is looking for an analytical, empathetic, and system‑savvy Associate Director of Financial Aid to run the day‑to‑day operations of our financial aid ecosystem. As the operational backbone of our financial aid office, you will directly impact UMF’s core mission: keeping a high‑quality liberal arts education accessible and affordable for everyone. Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the anticipated annual salary for this position is up to $55,000 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. Key Responsibilities (including, but not limited to) Systems & Processing Leadership: Drive the technical engine of UMF’s financial aid ecosystem by mastering the daily flow of data. In this role, you will manage everything from downloading and importing daily FAFSA, Direct Loan, and Pell files into PeopleSoft (MaineStreet) to leading the flawless packaging and timely delivery of Financial Aid Notifications. By collaborating closely with the UMaine SFS Data team, you will continually optimize system setups, clear student checklists, and seamlessly administer vital institutional initiatives like the Farmington Forward program. Compliance & Accountability: Act as our resident regulatory guardian, ensuring absolute precision across all federal, state, and institutional aid channels. You will safeguard the integrity of UMF's funding by overseeing Federal Direct Loans, TEACH grants, alternative private loans, and Pell Grant reconciliations aligned with strict federal COD requirements. Your meticulous eye for detail will be critical as you manage the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal process and take full ownership of high‑stakes Return of Title IV (R2T4) withdrawal calculations. Student Advocacy & Leadership: Lead with both empathy and strategic vision as you directly supervise, coach, and mentor our financial aid professional staff. You will serve as the ultimate compass for families navigating complex financial hardships, utilizing your federal authority to thoughtfully evaluate and adjudicate Professional Judgment (PJ) appeals. Beyond the campus borders, you will strengthen our institutional reach by acting as the primary liaison managing the vital multi‑campus partnership outlined in our system Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Your Toolkit (Competencies) Empathetic Customer Support & Teamwork: You bring a naturally collaborative work style and a deep, unshakeable commitment to student‑centered service delivery. You are dedicated to providing clear, compassionate guidance to students and families when they need it most. Regulatory Mastery & Problem Solving: You possess a sharp analytical mind and the ability to interpret complex, shifting regulations to make sound, ethical decisions with meticulous attention to detail. Flawless Planning & Organization: High‑stakes deadlines and competing priorities don't phase you. You have strong organizational skills to effectively manage the office's tight financial aid cycles without breaking a sweat. Demonstrated Leadership: You know how to effectively lead, support, and supervise a professional staff, using mentorship to build a positive, growth‑oriented team environment. Dynamic Communication: Your interpersonal, written, verbal, and customer service skills are top‑tier, allowing you to articulate complex financial concepts clearly to students, parents, and campus partners alike. Tech‑Forward Mindset: You are highly proficient with PeopleSoft (MaineStreet), specialized financial aid databases, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace, and you quickly adapt to new software updates. Adaptability & Total Discretion: You pivot positively and effectively when structural or regulatory changes come your way, and you hold yourself to the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive student information. Required Qualifications Education: A Bachelor's degree. Experience: Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in student financial services, financial aid, student accounts, or student records (an equivalent mix of education and experience will be considered). Leadership: Proven, successful experience supervising professional staff. Preferred Qualification Current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations. Prior experience within a public higher education environment. Application Requirements Cover Letter Resume/Curriculum Vitae Contact information for three (3) professional references We are not able to consider applicants who require any visa sponsorship support. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post‑offer physical as applicable. The University of Maine at Farmington employees are Mandatory Reporters with the exception of UMF’s licensed, clinical medical providers (including athletic trainers) and mental health providers and their clinical interns when working in their capacity as providers. Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at Clery Act The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you have any questions, contact UMF Dept. of Public, Safety / Campus Police, University of Maine at Farmington, 149 Quebec Street, Farmington, Maine 04938-1994 tel View phone number on click.appcast.io UMF. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Maine