Senior Director, Student Financial Services

Senior Director, Student Financial Services

Capitalizing on over 140 years of history and tradition in downtown Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) is looking for skilled, motivated professionals to help forge the future of higher education.

The USC department of Financial Services Student Financial Services is seeking a strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Student Financial Services.

This senior-level position provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for all aspects of Student Financial Services, including University Collections and Student Account Services. The Director plays a critical role in supporting students while ensuring fiscal integrity and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities:

The Senior Director of Student Financial Services is responsible for leading a team in all matters related to billing and collection of tuition and fees. This includes managing payment plans, disbursing loans, 3rd party billing, managing student refunds and the university departmental deposit functions. In addition, the role involves overseeing third-party providers, such as payment platforms and student loan servicers.

Overview of Duties

• Directs administrative operations through subordinate managers, supervisors and professional staff. Develops new programs and processes to enhance operations, which may include developing short and long term plans, developing and managing electronic information systems, ensuring department's conformity to university policies, and resolving complex departmental problems referred by other managers. Manages program and project directors, overseeing the development and implementation of new services.
• Administers personnel functions for the division. Ensures security and confidentiality of staff records. Oversees staff recruitment, staff development, and career succession planning, as assigned. Reviews all proposed departmental staff changes and approves/denies or refers to senior leadership with recommendations for action.
• Oversees scheduling and coordination of meetings, planned events, travel arrangements and support services. Screens and engages outside vendors for services, prepares agendas, gathers and organizes supporting information, and oversees production and ensures the distribution of related materials. Oversees functions to ensure satisfactory outcome. Evaluates vendor/external service performance and makes recommendations or corrections, as necessary.
• Develops and oversees implementation of internal policies covering administration, finance, safety, etc., ensuring compatibility with university policies. Interprets applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Ensures division compliance and approves all necessary exceptions.

Strategic Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs 1236 months in advance and align institutional resources accordingly.
• Long-Range Planning: Ability to develop and implement multi-year strategic plans aligned with senior leadership objectives and institutional initiatives (e.g., financial resiliency, use of automation tools for process improvement, and staffing optimization).
• Ability to analyze higher education and industry trends to inform and adjust long-term strategies.
• Proven experience leading organizations or departments through periods of transition, including restructuring and organizational change.

Operational Excellence

• Demonstrated ability to execute strategic initiatives while ensuring long-term operational sustainability.
• Process Improvement: Expertise in evaluating and refining processes and workflows, removing bottlenecks, and implementing effective operational improvements.
• Resource Allocation: Ability to manage budgets effectively and optimize workforce deployment.

Data-Driven Governance and Reporting

• Strong comfort working in data-driven environments to support decision-making.
• Experience defining, tracking, and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify high-performing teams and guide underperforming areas toward achieving operational objectives.
• Reporting: Ability to translate complex data into clear, concise, high-level reports for senior and executive leadership.
• Proficient understanding of operational budgets and the impact of student financial operations on institutional cash flow.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday from 8:30am 5:00pm however, work schedules may change at any time to accommodate business needs. This is primarily an onsite role, with the potential for a hybrid work arrangement after one year of employment, contingent upon business needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Five years of experience in Student Financial Services/Bursar Operations or a related area.
• Management experience in busy, multi-faceted department, preferably within a university setting.
• Ability to understand and leverage data to improve services, increase productivity, and drive meaningful change.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master's degree.
• Seven years of experience in Student Financial Services/Bursar Operations or a related area.
• Demonstrated operational leadership experience, preferably in student services.
• Strong expertise in process mapping and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to motivate teams and foster collaboration.
• Experience preparing and analyzing reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to keep leadership informed, engaged, and aligned.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Employee Benefits

USC offers a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families.

This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being. USC employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans and the work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all its members. Join us!

The annual base salary range for this position is $160,000 to $165,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

About USC Finance Division:

USC Finance Division is a group of innovative and talented professionals who provide high quality services in support of education and research at USC. The Finance Division is comprised of the following departments: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial and Business Services, Office of the Comptroller; Office of Budget and Planning, Treasury, and Health Plans; Facilities Planning and Management, Audit Services, Risk Management, and Information Technology Services.

Financial Services:

Financial Services consists of the following departments: Bank Reconciliation, Bursar Administration, Equipment Management, Space Management, Student Financial Services, and USCard. At USC, Financial Services, promise is to provide exceptional customer service. We are here to help the University community! FBS values Accountability, Teamwork, Open Communication, Integrity, and Opportunities for Growth & Professional Development. Join us apply today!

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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