Hybrid Assist Dir, Student Financial Education (HR Title: Sr. Program Specialist) bei Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

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 serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

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.

About the Position:

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.

Essential Functions:

• 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, outlining available repayment plans, and providing guidance to students who have entered default—identified through Cohort Default Rate (CDR) reports. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and resources needed to successfully manage their federal student loan obligations.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience is required. Experience in student financial services, including student accounts and/or financial aid is required. Candidate with program and event planning in higher education experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate with program development, educating and outcomes-based assessment experience is preferred. Candidate must demonstrate a sense of eagerness to serve students and families. Candidate must possess tact and diplomacy, friendliness, lateral leadership skills and sense of humor. Candidate must demonstrate thorough understanding of federal and institutional need analysis methodologies and strong awareness of federal and institutional student financial/financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.

Proficiency in MS Word and Excel is required. PeopleSoft knowledge is preferred. Virtual meeting and collaboration software experience is required.  Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

This position requires some evening and weekend work as needed during peak periods and for events.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

September 3, 2025

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by 08/27/2025

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.