Assist Dir, Student Financial Education; HR Sr. Program Specialist

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

An intentional and goal-oriented student advocate to serve as the university leader for Student Financial Education. This position will serve as the campus leader for Student Financial Literacy and Wellness.

The incumbent will have the inquisitiveness and intellectual confidence to inspire broad excitement and innovation focused on student financial education and stability. They will possess the analytical and intellectual abilities needed to design, implement, and evaluate effective management practices in a complex academic organization at a leadership level in the Division of Enrollment Services. Examples of this work are student financial education program planning, execution and assessment, including financial aid and budgeting education, program design and assessment, event planning and student support under financial crisis.

Meet with and assist students and parents with customized counsel related to student financial options. Daily work on a caseload through research and communication with students to resolve past due balances to support student retention efforts. Work collaboratively with parents, financial aid personnel, academic departments, and etc. to help resolve student account issues.

Participate and lead financial literacy, awareness, and wellness programming for student events/tasks including but not limited to orientation, admitted student programs, parent programs, academic events, deposit waivers etc. Facilitate financial education in various ways students pay their bills, financial aid, maintaining credit, budgeting, with a special focus on inclusion and access.

Demonstrating intentionality with staying aware of the latest financial trends, up to date financial aid and student account regulations, student financial data, and educating the campus community in a manner that is understandable with enthusiasm, and on a regular cadence.

Participate in SFS meetings, work with DES/SAES leadership to meet student financial goals and responsiveness in a timely manner, and coordinate with Student Accounts, Financial Aid, SFS Systems, Fund Management, and SFS Compliance & Communications functional areas in a diplomatic and professional manner to meet goals.

Lead, plan and execute a financial literacy and wellness program with a lean budget. Maintain ongoing resource management. Demonstrate creativity with unconventional revenue streams.

Effectively engage in lateral leadership and support various functional areas in Student Financial Services. Participate in "all hands on deck" times to help students and families. Serve in various work-related committees and events. Other duties as assigned.

Manage the Texas Student Loan Debt Disclosure, which is an annual process required by the State of Texas. It involves retrieving and gathering student loan data, and sending students loan debt letters.

Manage the Default Prevention Program. Focusing on educating students about responsible loan repayment. Key components include explaining grace periods, emphasizing the importance of making timely payments,…