Widener University is currently seeking an Assistant Director of University Loans/Collections. Reporting to the Associate Director of Student Financial Services, this position manages daily loan operations (processing, disbursement, compliance), oversees delinquency/default prevention, counseling students on debt, coordinates with lenders, ensures regulatory adherence, and often supervises staff, focusing on efficient aid delivery and maximizing fund recovery while maintaining student satisfaction and regulatory compliance.
The Assistant Director of University Loans/Collections plays a vital role in the Student Financial Services office, ensuring the effective administration of student loan programs and managing collections to minimize institutional risk. This role involves supervising daily loan processing, ensuring compliance with federal/state regulations, counseling students on borrowing/repayment, and developing strategies to prevent loan delinquency and default.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Leadership & Oversight
- Manage the full lifecycle of the University’s debt and collections processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution.
- Oversee daily operations of the Perkins Loan and Collections Office, maintaining efficient workflows and service delivery.
- Supervise the Loan Service Specialist, providing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development support.
Financial Reporting & Compliance
- Coordinate, analyze, and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting packages for internal and external stakeholders.
- Support year‑end closing activities and assist in preparing annual financial information submitted to the U.S. Department of Education through the Supplemental Fiscal Operations Report.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and institutional regulations to ensure compliance across all loan and collection activities.
Student & Family Support
- Provide direct guidance to students and parents on financial planning, aid eligibility, and available financial resources.
- Educate students on their financial responsibilities and repayment obligations to the University.
- Counsel students, families, and administrators on financial aid options, payment plans, billing issues, and financing alternatives.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism when working with diverse populations, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Outreach, Training & Communication
- Coordinate and deliver financial aid presentations for campus and community audiences.
- Lead Perkins Loan entrance and exit interviews to ensure students understand their rights, responsibilities, and repayment expectations.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of Student Financial Services and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum of three years of professional experience in loan or collections work, demonstrating applied knowledge in areas directly related to the position. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Experience using a student information system to support the administration of financial aid programs.
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing student financial aid and compliance requirements.
- Ability to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, and external partners in a service‑oriented environment.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to remain flexible and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for engaging with students, parents, and campus stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret and follow written and verbal instructions, prepare routine business correspondence, and perform basic mathematical calculations.
- Proven ability to manage a high‑volume workload in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Preferred:
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague.
- Experience in a higher education setting.
- Supervisory or team leadership experience.
- Master’s degree.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Standard office environment with regular interaction across campus departments.
- May require occasional evening or weekend hours to support campus programs and events.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
