Assistant Vice President, Financial Aid

The University of Southern California (USC) seeks an experienced leader to serve as Assistant Vice President Financial Aid. This role provides oversight direction and coordination of all financial aid activities in support of the universitys enrollment management strategy and commitment to student access and success.

Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management the Assistant Vice President is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive financial aid strategy including advanced modeling to support recruitment retention and graduation goals. This position works closely with Admissions and campus partners to align financial aid practices with institutional priorities while ensuring compliance with federal state and university regulations. The successful candidate will bring a data-informed approach to decision-making a strong operational mindset and a commitment to delivering high-quality student-centered services.

This is a hybrid position reporting onsite at the University Park Campus.

For priority consideration please submit materials by the priority deadline of May 31 2026.

Key responsibilities will include the following:

Leadership & Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Office of Financial Aid ensuring effective day-to-day operations including awarding disbursement and reconciliation processes.

• Establish and maintain policies workflows and service standards that support accurate efficient and compliant administration of financial aid programs.

• Ensure the effective use of systems and technology to support operational excellence and service delivery.

Strategy & Enrollment Alignment

• Develop and implement a sophisticated financial aid strategy aligned with USCs enrollment management plan.

• Lead financial aid modeling efforts and partner with Admissions to support recruitment and conversion strategies.

• Translate institutional priorities into operational financial aid practices that support access retention and student success.

• Design and apply assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of financial aid strategies and initiatives.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with Title IV state aid programs and institutional policies.

• Oversee audit preparation and responses maintaining strong internal controls and quality assurance practices.

• Monitor regulatory developments and advise leadership on operational and policy implications.

Data Analytics & Financial Stewardship

• Use data and analytics to inform operational decisions workload planning and resource allocation.

• Provide reporting and insights to Enrollment Management leadership to support recruitment and retention goals.

• Identify trends and recommend strategic adjustments to financial aid practices.

• Oversee the operating budget and ensure responsible stewardship of federal state and institutional aid funds.

• Prepare financial forecasts and support divisional planning through accurate reporting.

Collaboration & Student Experience

• Partner with Enrollment Management Student Financial Services the Registrar and other campus stakeholders to ensure coordinated service delivery.

• Support cross-functional initiatives and collaborate with Information Technology on system enhancements.

• Ensure delivery of high-quality student-centered counseling and support services that are accessible and responsive to diverse student needs.

• Work with Marketing and Communications to provide clear and timely financial aid information to students and families.

Organizational Leadership & Culture

• Supervise managers and professional staff supporting hiring training coaching and professional development.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture aligned with the USC Code of Ethics.

• Promote continuous improvement accountability and service excellence across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in finance organizational development or related field

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration

• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations

• Experience managing financial aid operations awarding processes and compliance programs

• Demonstrated financial stewardship and budget oversight experience

• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into operational practices

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences

• Experience using data to inform decisions and improve outcomes

• Proven leadership experience supervising staff and developing high-performing teams

• Commitment to equitable access and student success

• Familiarity with financial aid systems (e.g. Oracle Salesforce PowerFAIDS)

• Experience with process improvement automation or change management

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in business administration finance organizational development or related field

• Ten (10) years of experience in financial aid student financial services or enrollment operations

• Understanding of cultural socioeconomic and equity-related factors impacting financial aid and student success

Required Documents and Additional Information

Both a resume and cover letter are preferred(may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The budgeted salary range for this position is$224701- $ extending an offer of employment the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position the candidates work experience education/training key skills internal peer alignment federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents health wealth and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.

#LI-Hybrid

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USCs Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee please apply to thisUSC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

Exec