Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid

Unity Environmental University is seeking an Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid to manage financial aid processes, ensuring integrity and efficiency. The role involves assisting with the delivery of financial assistance, maintaining clear communication with students and their families, and collaborating with the Financial Aid team. This position supports the implementation of new processes while prioritizing student needs in a mission-driven environment focused on environmental education.
About Unity:

At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make
environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our
unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based
structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units
(SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance
Education, Sustainable Ventures, and In-Person Education). We
prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety
of modalities, including in-person, and online. Our innovative and
inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges
and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals
and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences
that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals
and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward
sustainable ecosystems.

About The Enterprise Model:

In 2017, Unity Environmental University pioneered a shift in
organizational structure by embracing the Enterprise Model. This
innovative model strategically segments the university into several
Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs), each functioning with
a high degree of autonomy. Designed akin to a matrix organization,
the Enterprise Model combines the benefits of both centralized and
decentralized management, enhancing the university's agility and
responsiveness to the dynamic needs of its students and broader
societal challenges.

This entrepreneurial framework fosters an environment where each
SEBU operates as an independent entity, yet is interconnected with
the university's core mission. The SEBUs are empowered to develop
specialized programs, services, and products that directly meet the
unique demands of their specific audiences.

Leadership within the Enterprise Model is both collaborative and
authoritative; decisions are made efficiently at various levels,
from the President to the Heads of SEBUs and Chief Officers, all
incorporating feedback from relevant stakeholders. This model
abolishes traditional silos and eschews the need for consensus,
ensuring that no single entity can veto the decisions of another,
thereby maintaining a streamlined and effective decision-making
process. In this model, every faculty member reports to a Dean who
oversees their daily work and performance evaluations.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid ensures that the
data processed through financial aid is done with integrity,
efficiency, and accuracy. This position assists with the
appropriate delivery of financial assistance - federal, state, and
institutional-to qualified students, and the proper billing and
accounting of student receipts for tuition, fees, and
repayment.

The Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid works with the
Financial Aid team to provide excellent service to students and
their families through clear and consistent communication. In
addition, the Assistant/Associate Director of Financial Aid assists
the Director in implementing new processes and efficiencies and
works with other units to provide support with a student-first
mentality, while following adopted communication channels with
various internal and external constituents with a strong focus on
institutional priorities.

Day to day responsibilities:
• Assist with the financial aid program and student account
functions.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and maintaining policies
and procedures for all Financial Aid functions.
• Assists with determining students' eligibility for assistance
and coordinates the disbursement of funds with the Director.
• Counsel students and their families regarding availability of
financial assistance and eligibility.
• Disseminate information to students, staff, and faculty
regarding financial aid.
• Provide support to admissions through presentations to
prospective students and families as well as individual
counseling.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the
organization's policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities
include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning,
assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding
and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving
problems.
• Serve as one of the database authorities for multiple campus
information systems, including but not limited to Institutionally
adopted financial aid system and the student information
system.
• Develop and run reports to distribute and assign work to
Financial Aid specialists.
• Ensure that all business processes are documented and current.
Implement and modify processes to enhance attainment of goals,
increase integration, and maximize efficiency.
• Assure that all information is processed according to
established time frame standards.
• Review all constituent processes and alert the Director when
they are not within policies established by the Institution.
• Review segmented communication plans in the system and suggest
/ create processes for updating and augmenting the plans as
needed.
• Periodically review training and professional development needs
of staff.
• Work directly with staff and Director for the attainment of Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assist with the delivery of quality, constituent-oriented
services to ensure development and implementation of efficient,
effective, and integrated policies, procedures, and systems.
• Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures
with leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of
the Institution.
• Bachelor’s Degree. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3 -5 years of experience
• Strong critical thinking and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work in a continually-changing environment, to take
the initiative to determine best practices, and to implement
change.
• Supervisory experience.
• Budget management skills.
• The ability to assimilate and interpret complex data, and
sensitivity to issues related to recruitment and retention of a
diverse student body.
• Strong communication skills.
• Must have strong organizational and management skills.
• Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer and
associated software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and
information.
• Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with
diverse populations, the Unity Environmental University community
and the public.
• Ability to maintain files accurately, in paper and
electronically.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining quality
outputs.
• Ability to effectively supervise staff.
• Ability to effectively manage student information systems.
• Ability to plan project outcomes and give attention to
detail.
• Ability to develop and implement operating policies and
procedures.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational
structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being
discreet, courteous and well poised.

Are you thinking about applying but unsure if it's the right
fit? We encourage you to reach out anyway. We recognize that
everyone brings different experiences and skills to the table. Take
a chance and submit your application; you might be exactly who
we're looking for.

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity Environmental University
Headquarters, Unity Environmental University Distance Education,
Unity @ Pineland & Sustainable Ventures are based at the
Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one
of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and
can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours
required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling
responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs. Although
Unity Environmental University employees are generally scheduled to
work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when
travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to
attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity
Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required
to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up
to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception,
and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for
repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and
fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the
telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:

Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and
competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and
staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance