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Title: Assistant Director, Strategic Communications

VP Area: Student Financial Services

Department: Financial Aid Office

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: On-campus Position

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 40 hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose:

Join our team at Gonzaga University and play a key role in supporting the Financial Aid department. Under the direction of the Dean of Student Financial Services (SFS), the Assistant Director is integral in shaping and executing the communication strategy for the financial aid, student accounts, and student employment teams. Requiring both good communication skills and the ability to manage technology systems, this role is responsible for developing, managing, and implementing comprehensive communication plans that effectively engage prospective and current undergraduate students, graduate and law students, their families, and the public. The Assistant Director oversees SFS social media channels, collaborates with Enrollment Management and the Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team on print publications, and ensures that all digital content aligns with the SFS mission and Admissions cycle. Additionally, this position may supervise SFS team members or student workers, fostering a collaborative and dynamic communication environment. Picture yourself representing our university and working to ensure a positive experience for current and prospective new students. You'll work closely across departments to ensure top-notch customer service. As an integral part of our team, you'll actively contribute to making Gonzaga University a welcoming environment for all through your friendly and knowledgeable demeanor and pro-active practices. Join us in shaping the future of Gonzaga.

Essential Functions:

• 50% - Strategic Communications Development and Management
  • Create and execute comprehensive communication plans that engage various SFS audiences.
  • Write, edit, and coordinate mailings/e-mails/mass texts for multiplatform outreach to prospective and current students, inclusive of drip campaigns, event invitations, and automated follow-up.
  • Manage communication calendar and flow, which includes building and monitoring all campaigns across platforms.
  • Stay informed about trends and best practices inside higher education as well as macro trends with impacts on education.
  • Align communication strategies with SFS goals and the broader institutional mission to ensure cohesive messaging.
  • Analyze communication effectiveness through metrics and feedback, making data-driven adjustments to improve engagement and reach.
  • Work in collaboration with SFS colleagues to edit, update, and improve website. - (Essential)

• 20% - Customer Service
  • Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude while providing financial aid information to students, their families, and guardians.
  • Respond promptly to inquiries, provide service through a variety of mediums including walk-in, phone, email, and text.
  • Be available to assist students and families in person as needed.
  • Stay apprised of the various financial aid programs, their basic eligibility requirements, and application procedures available to students.
  • Provide general financial aid information to prospective and enrolled students and parents and the public.
  • Work collaboratively with SFS partners to promote inclusion and support a diverse group of prospective, undergraduate, graduate students and their families, recognizing each person's unique needs.
  • Proficiency with the technology used to assist with processing financial aid; commitment to ongoing training.
  • Manage escalated student situations that cannot be resolved by the SFS front line staff.
  • Understands and explains GU policies and procedures kindly, accurately, and with authority.
  • Works as part of the SFS Leadership team to identify and implement process improvements across the Student Financial Services.
  • Review student records to ensure that funds are disbursed in a timely and accurate way.
  • Create and maintain written procedures covering area of expertise.
  • Stays apprised of current and anticipated regulations, informs leadership of potential program changes. - (Essential)

• 10% - Financial Aid Program Management
  • Serve as an institutional authority on a specific financial aid program or programs (e.g. Unity Scholars, Tuition Exchange and FACHEX, or another specific financial aid program).
  • Provide internal training and guidance on numerous issues related to the financial aid program(s).
  • Stay apprised of compliance issues related to the financial aid program, commits to ongoing training and process improvement.
  • Ensure the University's operations are compliant and align with best practices for managing the financial aid program(s). - (Essential)

• 10% - Outreach
  • Individually, and in collaboration with other campus partners, perform SFS outreach duties and follow-up activities to targeted populations.
  • Present financial aid, student accounts, and student employment information at university events and the greater surrounding community. Examples include Preview Days, Admitted Student Receptions, new Student Orientation, Move-in Days, Student Welcomes and Open House, and high school financial aid nights.
  • Develop presentation decks and scripts for outreach events for other SFS personnel to use. - (Essential)

• 5% - Leadership
  • Serves on the SFS Leadership team to actively contribute to the department's decision-making process.
  • May supervise SFS team members or student workers, fostering a collaborative and dynamic communication environment. - (Essential)

• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

Educational Requirement:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Years of Related Experience Requirement:

3 years

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education. 

Certifications and/or Licensures:

Skills & Abilities:

• Expert in higher education, with at least 3 years of experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Word or other business tools to create and maintain documents. - Microsoft Excel skills include creating spreadsheets and analyzing data (e.g., formulas such as V-lookup, graphs, pivot tables).
• Microsoft PowerPoint skills include creating presentations in adherence to brand standards, adding slides, inserting images, and moving and resizing objects.
  Experience managing and prioritizing multiple tasks and working both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate intricate job-related processes to internal and external customers.
• Ability to identify issues, compare data, investigate, and resolve discrepancies. Ability to write reports to extract data from the computer system.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree.
• Experience with a CRM.
• Experience with an integrated administrative computing system, such as Banner, Colleague, or Peoplesoft. Certified Financial Aid
• Administrator (FAAC ®) or NASFAA U Professional Credentials

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Often (50%-75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $27.54/hr - $30.56/hr

Pay Range:

Minimum Salary (Non-Exempt): $27.54

Midpoint Salary (Non-Exempt): $34.42

Maximum Salary (Non-Exempt): $41.30

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement or a signing bonus?: False

At this time, the University has suspended all new H1B visa sponsorships.