Associate Director, Student Finance Quality Assurance

American Institute, founded in 1924 as the Hartford Secretarial School, provides hands-on training for careers in the world of business, legal, allied healthcare, diagnostic medical sonography, and information technology. Recognizing our single, well-defined teaching mission: reflecting job market demands with flexibility in identifying and incorporating new programs to give our graduates an edge in today’s competitive job market.

• Medical (including prescription), Dental, Vision (Company subsidized)
• FSA/HSA (Depending on Medical Plan chosen)
• $50,000 Life Insurance (Company paid)
• Additional Voluntary Life Insurance (Team Member paid)
• Employee Assistance Program – EAP (Company paid)
• Long Term Disability (Company paid)
• Short Term Disability (Team Member paid)
• Supplemental Insurance such as Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital (Team Member Paid)
• Paid Time Off – 15 days accrued in year 1, 9 holidays, and 1 day of Volunteering Time Off
• 401k (eligible upon completion of 90 days of employment and must be at least 21 years of age)
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection

Purpose of the Position:

As the Associate Director, SF Quality Assurance, you will oversee quality controls, manage internal audits, and ensure student finance compliance with regulatory requirements. Your role involves managing quality assurance processes for Student Finance and cross-functional teams, promoting a quality mindset across the organization.

What You’ll Do:

1. Quality Oversight and Compliance: Manage quality assurance and control functions throughout the student finance lifecycle, providing coordination, testing, and adherence to regulations. Oversee accurate financial aid awarding for students. Manage the Statement of Educational Purpose (SEP) process which requires being onsite to pick up the mail on your assigned day.
2. Internal Audits and Reporting: Develop, manage, implement, and report on continual audits and testing of Title IV process outcomes. Assist in developing and maintaining systems used to support student success and team development.
3. Education and Training: Assist in educating team members on compliance topics, including development and delivery of QA training materials. Serve as a liaison between the Student Finance advising teams and Quality Assurance. Communication across departments should be consistent and clear with the overall institutional objectives in mind.
4. Process Improvement and Efficiency: Develop and implement quality strategies and goals and conduct audit reviews to identify and drive process improvements.
5. Lead with Care: Lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of wellness, recognition, and engagement. Meet regularly with direct reports in one-on-one and group settings to provide feedback and cultivate/maintain a positive work culture.
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

Career Level Expectations:

• Typically manages one or more teams or small unit(s).
• Recognized subject matter expert in job area.
• Manages large projects or processes with limited oversight.
• Handles difficult and often complex problems that require extensive investigation and analysis and collaboration with others.
• Requires ability to influence others to accept practices and approaches, and ability to communicate with executive leadership.
• Desire for growth and professional development.

 

Required Skills/Experience:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience in quality assurance, Title IV administration, compliance, and/or financial services.
• Experience with regulatory requirements related to student finance.
• Skills – quality management systems and methodologies, analytical skills, problem solving, and communication.
• Ability to professionally communicate fluently in verbal and written English.
• Ability to support a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Computer literacy/basic computer skills to effectively navigate and utilize the technology required for the role.

 

Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and/or strong or advanced proficiency in any of the above required skills/experience.
• 4+ years’ experience in student finance, quality assurance or related roles.

• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other business tools such as Microsoft Teams.
• Other skills or abilities – knowledge of federal, state, and institutional student finance policies, ability to work collaboratively across departments, and strong commitment to student experience.

 

Compliance: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and carefully follows all applicable state laws and rules, federal and state compliance requirements and regulations including those prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, state regulations and internal policies and procedures.  
• Effectively communicate compliance requirements to other staff as appropriate and quickly escalate any compliance concerns to the Compliance department.
• Participates in activities including, but not limited to, student recruitment activities and/or activities related to securing financial aid.

 

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Fully remote with only occasional planned onsite travel required.
• Home office set up, quiet place to work, ability to be on camera, and ability to hard wire into high-speed internet connection.
• May require setup of computer equipment; accommodation consideration available upon request.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed.

OUR CORE VALUES

Caring
We believe every student has the potential to be successful in a rewarding career, with the right support. We partner with you from your first day of classes through your search for a job after graduation.

Respect
We view everyone who enters American Institute as a productive adult who deserves respect and the opportunity to excel. Our staff and instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and realize your potential.

Service
American Institute is committed to the professional and academic success of each student by actively seeking opportunities to provide service both within the campus as well as within the surrounding community.

Integrity
We look forward, not backward. No matter where you come from or what obstacles you’ve faced in the past, we believe your future is yours to create.

Accountability
When you commit to us, we commit to you. When you walk into American Institute, we focus on helping you continue to move forward, so you can create the life you want to live.

Innovation
We know that the sooner you have the knowledge and skills you need to begin your career, the sooner you can become successful. American Institute offers focused, practical training that gets you out of the classroom and on your way faster than you thought possible.