Scholarship and Student Aid Office McGill’s Scholarship and Student Aid Office (SSAO) advises McGill students on funding options, budgeting, and debt management. They disburse all provincial, federal, and US student aid funding, and help with government aid information and documentation. They offer an Entrance Bursary Program, Entrance Scholarships, an In-Course Financial Aid Program (loans and bursaries) and a Work Study Program based on financial need.
Position Summary: Reporting to the Director of the Scholarships & Student Aid Office, the Associate Director provides strategic leadership in operations, systems, and service delivery. The role oversees operational budgets, funding development and stewardship, Work Study employer relations, oversees delivery for student aid and award processes as well as internal and external communications. Leading a team of professional and administrative staff, the Associate Director ensures high-quality service for students and employers, while overseeing financial, human, and physical resources, system infrastructure and security, records management, and policy compliance.

Major Responsibilities

- Operations Develop short- and long-range planning for human and physical resources of the unit, financial capacity in support of student financial aid/award programs, space development and usage, and quality control within the unit’s full scope in partnership with the Director.
- Define and manage administrative operations, including operating budgets and related financial, contractual and procurement administrative tasks.
- Provide senior professional expertise and support to teams with diverse expertise, ensures high-quality staff recruitment and professional development standards.




- Participates in the hiring of key staff, and ensures University Human Resources’ policies and procedures, including collective agreements, are respected.
- Plan, develop and oversee processes, procedures, protocols and unit policies in accordance with the unit’s goals and objectives, for the integrated functioning of the various services and programs provided by the Scholarships & Student Aid Office.
- Plan and develop financial controls and segregation of duties within the finance portfolio; coach the Finance Officer on the implementation of these controls.
- Provide direction, leadership, management and supervision to a team of administrative and student staff: Guide and coach staff to achieve unit goals and outcomes
- Oversee professional development planning and all HR-related matters for team under their supervision
- Promote compliance with McGill policies in an environment of excellence
- Design and implement protocols for internal Knowledge Base, production schedule and user manuals for all positions across Scholarships and Student Aid.
- Provide senior qualified expertise in response to team or stakeholder concerns regarding policies, programs or service, and controls, resolving any difficulties, as needed.
- Primary stakeholders include APB (Analysis, Planning and Budget), University Advancement, Enrolment Services, Student Accounts and the Offices of the Associate Provost,



Student Life and Learning and Senior Director of Student Services.
- Ensure all records are digitized, stored, retained and disposed of in accordance with University archive policies.
- Work on projects, carries out any other related duties as necessary in keeping with the requirements and qualifications of the job.
- Act as a designate for the Director, as required.

Student Aid/Awards Fund Management

- Strategic oversight of 800+ individually-named funds from donors and grants for bursaries, loans and scholarships, as well as related endowments.
- Influence University Advancement central compliance and faculty‑based Development Officers to negotiate meaningful and administrable award terms.
- Support APB and government relations with regard to how to implement new government grants for student aid/awards.
- Negotiate partnership agreements whereby third‑party organizations share contributions and/or selections of full‑ticket scholarships.
- Support the cycle of new student awards from the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs approval to the timely opening of Finance Funds and Aid Fund Codes.
- Plan and control over‑offers for Entrance Scholarships and Entrance Bursaries to meet predicted registration.
- In partnership with Associate Director Financial Aid, final authority on wording of financial commitment (offer) letters used at entrance and for immigration purposes.
- Establish protocols to optimize the assignment of specific funding sources based on award term restrictions/preferences matched with student candidates, as well as after‑the‑fact verification and rescindments.
- Develop and implement tactic

📌 Associate Director Operations and Systems (Canada)
🏢 McGill University
📍 Canada