STAFF SPECIALIST IV, HIGHER EDUCATION Associate Director
Introduction
The Associate Director – Operations performs advanced professional and managerial work providing specialized operational, fiscal, and programmatic oversight for State student financial aid programs within the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).
Main Purpose of Job
The main purpose of this position is to manage and direct operational, fiscal reconciliation, institutional coordination, and system access functions for the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OFSA) within the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
Position Duties
Directs and coordinates operational activities of the Office of Student Financial Assistance to ensure effective administration of State financial aid programs in compliance with Maryland law, regulations, and agency policies.
Develops, implements, and monitors operational procedures, workflow processes, and internal controls to improve efficiency, accuracy, and program accountability.
Oversees daily operational functions including processing coordination, award workflow oversight, institutional communications, and operational issue resolution.
Serves as primary operational liaison between OFSA and the MHEC Finance Office regarding program expenditures, payment processing, reconciliations, fiscal reporting, and budget monitoring.
Reviews reconciliation reports to verify compliance with State fiscal control requirements.
Supervises professional and administrative staff responsible for operational processing, reconciliation support, institutional coordination, reporting functions, and system-related activities.
Provides operational guidance to Maryland colleges and universities regarding financial aid program requirements, reporting responsibilities, reconciliation expectations, MDCAPS usage, and corrective actions.
Coordinates resolution of institutional issues involving reporting errors, delayed submissions, or program compliance concerns and supports development of institutional training materials and guidance documentation.
Coordinates and oversees external entity access to the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) for participating institutions, State partners, and authorized organizations.
Evaluates existing processes and recommends improvements based on regulatory changes, audit findings, or operational analysis.
Participates in cross-divisional initiatives to improve program delivery systems and service quality.
Minimum Qualifications
A Master's degree or at least 36 hours of equivalent post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.
Four years of administrative or teaching experience in post-secondary education programs.
Desired Or Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in public policy, business administration, information systems, data analytics, higher education administration, or a related field.
Four years of directly related work experience working with financial aid programs, higher education data systems, or state/federal reporting requirements.