Associate Director Programs Jobs in Savannah, GA

About Us
Savannah State University established in 1890, is the first public historically black college or university in the state of Georgia and the first institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university's students select majors from five colleges:

• Business Administration
• Education
• Engineering and Computing
• Media, Arts, and Communication
• Science and Humanities

The campus is by far the most picturesque in the state of Georgia. The moss-laden sweeping oak trees, expansive marsh and historic architecture create a resplendent yet tranquil atmosphere. Beneath the beauty and splendor is a vibrant residential campus bursting at the seams with the vim and vigor of quality collegiate life: relevant academic majors, engaging lectures, cutting-edge research, quality student-faculty engagement and a nurturing environment.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director of Financial Aid provides comprehensive counseling and advising to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, funding programs, educational costs, debt management, and financial planning while tailoring guidance to individual circumstances to support student success. This position collects and analyzes financial data to determine and award aid in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The role oversees daily office operations to ensure efficiency and exceptional customer service, including management of specialized processes such as Return of Title IV funds and call center functions. Serving as a student advocate, the position represents the University with a commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals. Additionally, the Associate Director supports the Director in all aspects of financial aid administration, providing leadership, supervision, and staff development while ensuring regulatory compliance and a strong commitment to exemplary service. May be directed to perform job related tasks other than those specifically delineated in this description.
NOTE: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not offer sponsorship for employment visas.
Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day office management, direction and leadership over daily activities of the staff, while meeting the performance goals of the office.
• Resolve high level problems and issues, and maintain the desired level of services and productivity.
• Ensure that exemplary counseling and assistance is provided to students with regard to various types of education funding.
• Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Office's senior management team.
• Assist with planning and implementing short and long range office goals in collaboration with the senior management team.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid in attending relevant meetings and in speaking with the general public in a professional, diplomatic, and cooperative fashion.
• Serve as liaison with the Bursar's Office, Admissions, Registrar, and Business Office as well as external agencies and institutions.
• Supervise, coordinate and delegate tasks.
• Verify and review materials, records, and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; utilize applicable policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and reports; provide information and forms; collect and process appropriate information.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all federal, state, and University programs administered by the Financial Aid Office while staying abreast of all changes in federal, state, and University policies, rules and regulations by reading aid literature and attending various training sessions.
• Identify innovations that both maximize organizational resources and improve the customer experience.
• Train FWS students for office operations; manage assigned student(s).
• Advise students on financial aid eligibility, application processes, aid programs, educational costs, debt management, budgeting, and financial planning, tailoring guidance to individual needs and circumstances. Present financial aid information to students, parents, high school counselors, and university stakeholders.
• Handle student and/or parent referrals from individual counselors of complex cases and grievances, as needed.
• Provide students and parents with accurate, timely information to support informed decisions and appropriate action, and follow up as needed.
• Process Unusual Enrollment forms and Consortium Agreements.
• Assist with Professional Judgement request, SAP Appeals and Return to Tile IV calculations.
• Run packaging processes.
• Exercise the authority to make exceptions to awarding policies in individual cases, such as on-time appeals, selective service appeals and student dependency override requests.
• Assist with the College HOPE Eligibility Calculation Services (CHECS) process.
• Answer emails on behalf of the office from faculty, students and others.
• Process check transmittals, office requisitions and travel.
• Attend workshops and conferences requiring out-of-town travel.
• Follow NASFAA's Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Three or more years of experience at an institution of higher education focusing on financial aid and/or student counseling.
• Required to have earned at least three NASFAA Professional Credentials.
• Extensive knowledge of BANNER, COD and SURFER required.

Proposed Salary
The salary range for this position is $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 annually.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, USG and institutional processes, procedures and guidelines related to federal financial aid.
• Knowledge of leadership principles and staff development strategies that foster a positive, engaging, and customer service focused work environment.
• Knowledge of financial aid service partners, including processing relationships, technology systems, and operational workflows between internal and external entities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid processes, eligibility requirements, and administrative structures within a university setting.
• Knowledge of best practices in training development, including creating and disseminating effective written materials for policy and procedural updates.
• Knowledge of process evaluation techniques and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Skill in motivating, leading, and supervising staff to achieve high levels of performance, engagement, and customer service excellence.
• Skill in building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with service partners to efficiently resolve issues and ensure timely delivery of financial aid.
• Skill in communicating complex financial aid information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
• Skill in counseling and advising students, families, and staff on a wide range of financial aid topics with sensitivity, responsiveness, and accuracy.
• Skill in analyzing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and developing actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Skill in designing and developing training materials that enhance staff knowledge, consistency, and effectiveness in service delivery.
• Skill in prioritizing, organizing, and coordinating multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and decision-making in complex or sensitive situations.
• Ability to counsel and support students and staff across a broad range of financial aid topics, including navigating institutional processes and referrals.
• Ability to manage and de-escalate difficult or sensitive situations with professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness to student needs.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate operational processes and successfully implement improvements.
• Ability to take initiative, follow through on assignments, and complete projects in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and collaborate effectively with staff and management to achieve organizational goals.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with diverse stakeholders to resolve issues related to financial aid processing and service delivery.

Apply Before Date
Review of applications will begin upon receipt. For best consideration, apply by September 10, 2026.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources at hr@savannahstate.edu. For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
Institutional Values
At Savannah State University, five core values shape everything we do:

• Belonging - Building a community where all voices are valued and respected.
• Collaboration - Working together across disciplines and communities for shared success.
• Discovery - Pursuing knowledge, research, and exploration that expand horizons.
• Excellence - Committing to superior achievement in every endeavor.
• Resilience - Rising stronger through challenges with determination and adaptability.

These principles guide our culture, inspire our teams and define the kind of workplace we strive to build; one where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow.
Conditions of Employment
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Savannah State University, as determined by Savannah State University, its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.
All employment processes and decisions, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and tenure, shall be free of ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements. The basis and determining factor for all such decisions should be that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered. At the core of any such decision is ensuring the institution's ability to achieve its mission and strategic priorities in support of student success.
For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy please contact the Savannah State University, Office of Human Resources at hr@savannahstate.edu. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@savannahstate.edu.
Other Information

• The work is typically performed in an office setting while sitting at a desk or table with intermittent standing, bending, or stooping.
• The work may require lifting light objects up to 15 pounds.
• The work will require travel and may necessitate overnight travel for workshop and conference attendance.
• The work may require some evening and weekend work during seasonal or peak periods.
• This position does not have direct supervision of classified personnel. This position has direct supervision of student employees.

Special Applicant Instructions

• Applicants must include a list containing the name, e-mail address and telephone number for three (3) professional references (e.g. supervisor, mentor, colleague).
• Applicants must upload transcript(s) with the application. Unofficial are acceptable. Official transcript(s) required upon hire.