Employment Opportunities

Provost
Reports to: The President
Department: Academic Affairs
Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Sofia University seeks nominations and applications for its new provost. Sofia has two campuses: one in Northern California (Palo Alto) and one in Southern California (Costa Mesa). The home campus for the provost will be Costa Mesa. This is an exciting and important time in the history of Sofia and the University is seeking an academically gifted and skilled leader for this key position.

General Description:
The Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs oversees all aspects of academic affairs and services, including Institutional Research, the Office of the Registrar, Student Services, and Library, as well as all accreditation and relevant regulatory relationships of the university. In addition, the Provost/VPAA serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer with WSCUC.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Fostering faculty and student success that is focused on learning, inside and outside the classroom;
• Enhancing academic research, scholarship, and creative activity;
• Fostering an environment of collegiality, support, and mutual trust;
• Promoting the maintenance and celebration of diversity within the University.
• Serves as acting President when the President is absent
• Serves as the institutional liaison for regional accreditation
• Provides leadership in curricular and co-curricular assessment
• Provides leadership in the implementation and accountability of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan
• Provides leadership and guidance to enhance effective operation, cost efficiency, and high-quality academic programs
• Supervises program chairs approves all faculty recruitment/hiring

Qualifications:
• Possess an earned doctorate in a discipline that is part of or closely related to the Sofia curriculum and from a regionally accredited university
• Demonstrate a record of teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient to warrant appointment as a faculty member
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit that complements the academic credentials
• Possess a record of at least five years of successful leadership and administrative experience at the associate VP, Dean, or higher level
• Have experience and interest in working with a new and skilled president to rebuild Sofia into an international university
• Have experience with building international educational partnership and articulation agreements
• Have experience with the constraints and advantages of working in for-profit higher education
• Possess a strong, documented commitment to diversity and experience working in multicultural/international academic environments
• Provide evidence of experience and interest in enrollment management and enrollment marketing
• Possess experience with collaborative decision making
• Understand and be able to provide leadership in the fiscal aspects of leading a successful university

The search will begin in February and continue until an appointment is made. Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest (cover letter, CV, and the names of five references) should be directed electronically in confidence to Aida Smailagic, VP of Human Resources at Aida.Smailagic@sofia.edu
Sofia University, FPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

International Student Advisor-Liason
Reports to: VP of Marketing and Enrollment Manager
Department: Admissions
Classification: Full-time, Exempt

General Description:
Under the supervision of the VP of Enrollment/Marketing and the VP of Global Strategy duties include:

• Advise prospective international students regarding admissions student visa process, F1-status, and other related topics pertaining to the admission process
• Assist international students through all aspects of the admissions process including the collection, evaluation and distribution of documents and information related to their admissions file
• Participate in recruitment and enrollment activities including open houses, regional presentations, training sessions, orientation programs, career days, etc.
• Counsel prospective international applicants on the admissions process and opportunities at the University
• Manage inquiries to achieve prompt contact and performance activity; utilize approved recruitment policies/formats; make prompt and effective contact with inquiries and redirect candidates based upon career goals
• Review and evaluate admissions applications for an admissions decision to be made, and confirm that there is accurate data in our student information system
• Send acceptance letters and maintain communication with students
• Collaborate and work with other departments to achieve university enrollment objectives for undergraduate international applicants or graduate international applicants, and makes recommendations on topics related to maintaining F-1 status
• Adhere to all state, and federal accreditation and University rules and regulations regarding student recruitment
• Managing a recruitment plan to meet international enrollment targets for assigned region
• Traveling to the assigned region to host events and presentations to build recruitment pipeline
• Maintaining continuous communication, as well as managing relationships with existing international student agents and partner schools in the assigned region
• Managing the school’s marketing plan (branding) to include support of advertising internationally in assigned region
• Assisting with the update, design, and development of marketing promotional materials via print & online regional language and English
• Creating a strong and engaging social media presence that is updated frequently
• Supporting all visiting delegations throughout all avenues of the school

Preferred Qualifications:
• Ability to speak, read and write in the native language of the assigned region
• Familiarity with foreign educational systems, grading scales and curricula, and transcripts
• Working or studying experience outside the United States and/or with international student communities
• Proficiency with computer software including Excel, Word, PowerPoint Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs such as the Student Information System (SIS) or other related programs Knowledge of university policies, processes, and procedures

Competencies
• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for the quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules
• Judgment: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines the appropriate course of action
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create an environment that supports and embraces diversity education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience in working with students, scholars, and staff from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Experience with USCIS regulations
• Experience advising students in a university setting Sofia University, FPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Director of Financial Aid
Department: Financial Aid
Classification: Full-time, Exempt

General Description:
The Director of Financial Aid manages the daily operations of a fast-paced Financial Aid Office. This position provides senior-level leadership and is responsible for administering the University’s financial aid program in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.

Responsibilities and Duties
• Monitor and maintain standards for the efficient, effective, and 100% compliant administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds
• Develop, implement and revise policies and procedures to ensure 100% compliance with federal and state laws, regulations and college policies related to financial aid and scholarships
• Monitor, approve, and/or revise all financial aid packaging for all qualified applicants in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and other policies and procedures
• Working with employing departments, develop and maintain an effective use of federal work-study dollars, on behalf of our students and the University as a whole
• Using the institutional database system, track the usage of funds efficiently and create accurate reports on existing and projected need
• Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV Funds processes
• Oversee coordination of student loan processing between students, federal government, and the institution
• Oversee Title IV refunds and repayments, including U.S. Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications
• Work with CFO and Accounting Department to ensure accurate and timely exchange of information and awards between school information systems. Participate in reconciliation process.
• Develop a financial aid literacy program for Sofia U students and graduates
• Lead collaboration of Financial Aid services with Accounting, Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, and other relevant university departments to achieve 100% compliance
• Reinforce, require, and demonstrate outstanding and consistent customer service
• Create, implement, and evaluate a system whereby clear channels of communication exists for students and requests are responded to in a timely manner
• Develop and maintain a positive working environment for students and staff
• Work effectively with individual students, parents, counselors, faculty and staff
• Serve as an effective expert spokesperson on the topics of financial aid applications, the context of financial aid, financing options, etc.
• Develop and produce financial aid pages for the Sofia U website, to be used by current and prospective students to learn about their packages, respond to information needs, etc.
• Develop, produce and mail effective printed consumer informational materials for all audiences
• Understand the financial aid modeling process and be able to develop, analyze, and interpret financial aid leveraging models
• Analyze the results of the use of all types of financial assistance in support of overall enrollment goals
• Manage the electronic processing, origination, and transmission of federal and state grants and Direct Loans
• Manage the electronic processing of ISIRs
• Calibrate and program PowerFAIDs for auto packaging and disbursement in alignment with approved parameters
• Generate FISAP report and other reports required by the Department of Education
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years progressively responsible Financial Aid Officer experience
• Successful experience in higher education with 100% compliance
• Broad knowledge of federal financial aid programs and recordkeeping requirements
• Knowledge of higher education processes, supervisory and personnel practices, communication techniques and computer software
• General knowledge of accounting practices, data processing and computer applications
• Experience with current best practices in Financial Aid
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Able to work independently to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues and implement systemic solution Sofia University, FPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer