Assistant Director, ZipAssist

Zip Assist serves as a multifaceted student advocacy and support office committed to empowering and retaining students through intervention, education and resources. This Assistant Director position will be joining three other Assistant Directors to share responsibility for program management specific to their role focus (e.g., financial hardship, basic needs, holistic wellness, retention‑focused efforts). The role will serve as a primary case manager for Help‑A‑Zip referrals, offering in‑person and virtual conversations with students in distress or seeking resources.

The ideal person can manage multiple tasks, has experience in case management, and demonstrates leadership in program oversight with strong critical‑thinking, initiative and organizational skills.

The position will develop and present informational sessions as well as educational and social events associated with Zip Assist services and initiatives. As a member of the Zip Assist team, this person may administer emergency financial assistance/aid and will be expected to maintain detailed records related to case management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing community partnerships and office operations such as holistic wellness education, mentorship programs, and/or specialized population outreach/programming (e.g., first‑generation students, parenting students, students with experience in kinship/foster care).
• Collaborating with campus departments and external partners to coordinate initiatives and align resources.
• Assessing the effectiveness of programs and interventions through data analysis and student feedback.
• Linking students with resources such as academic advising, degree‑completion progress, enrollment, registration, financial literacy, emergency assistance, food insecurity, off‑campus living, parent/family relations, and physical/mental health/wellness.

Essential Functions:

70% Help‑A‑Zip case management: responsibilities connected to emergency hardship and complex financial wellness concerns. Provide ongoing guidance/mentoring for students related to emergency aid and financial management, and address additional barriers that may emerge through conversation and case management (e.g., academic or personal concerns). Engage in Zip Assist business processes on a regular basis to guarantee consistency and regulatory compliance. Respond to inquiries and appeals professionally, judiciously and prudently.

Execute other assigned duties.

30%

Functional area

programming: responsible for planning events and activities specific to the position focus (e.g., parent/family relations, off‑campus living, commuter affairs, holistic wellness, financial wellness). Manage partnerships and relationships that support the student experience and retention‑focused initiatives. Develop innovative programming to maximize the availability of Zip Assist’s services, including regular communication, orientation events, outreach programs, educational presentations, high‑impact/relevant marketing materials, webinar series and social media postings.

Additional responsibilities include exploring and evaluating alternative technologies to support education and outreach, regular assessment and reporting, oversight of mentorship programs, and managing core functions of the Zip Assist unit.

Leadership: Forward‑facing; responsible for daily management of a functional area within the office and related outreach initiatives.

Working Conditions: Standard indoor environment with possible outdoor work; occasional noise, crowded locations, minor heating/cooling/ventilation issues, and up to 80% use of PC terminal.

Education: Requires a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Master’s in higher education or a related field is preferred.

Licenses/Certifications/Requirements: Certification or advanced training related to mental health, government benefits, basic needs, and/or financial wellness is expected/preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of full‑time experience in education; preferred experience in college/university student services or student affairs.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain…