Driven. Engaging. Innovative. Do these words motivate you? If so, then we want to talk with you. Academy of Art University offers a rewarding employment experience for those who excel in a dynamic environment and who can consistently deliver high-caliber customer service. We thrive on ingenuity and pursue ideas every day that lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow. Apply here for your next career!
ArtU is looking for a strategic and people-focused Associate Director of Financial Services to lead a vital part of the student experience—helping students successfully navigate how to fund their education.
This role goes beyond operations. You’ll shape how students access financial resources, lead a high-performing team, and collaborate across departments to ensure a seamless, supportive journey from enrollment through graduation.
Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the Student Financial Services team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management
Oversee all aspects of student financial support, including Financial Aid, Veteran Affairs, alternative loans, international payments, and cash payments
Build and track meaningful production, quality, and customer service metrics to drive team success
Partner closely with Admissions to support incoming students and ensure a smooth onboarding experience
Collaborate with Student Services to meet the ongoing needs of continuing students
Work cross-functionally with IT to enhance systems and improve team efficiency
Contribute to the Student Services Committee to align financial services with the academic mission
Foster strong collaboration across departments to create a cohesive, student-centered experience
Develop and monitor KPIs to ensure timely, accurate communication with prospective and current students
Partner with CMD to maintain high-quality service standards
Qualifications & Experience:
A strong background in Financial Aid or Student Financial Services
Proven leadership skills with the ability to delegate effectively and develop team members
A thoughtful, hands-on management style—you invest time in your leaders and help them grow
Experience building and using metrics to improve performance and service delivery
A collaborative mindset and the ability to work across departments
Benefits:
Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.
Compensation:
$80,000 - $95,000 annually
Based on experience and location
Candidates located in the San Francisco, CA area preferred.
Application Deadline: May 11, 2026
Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at HR@academyart.edu.