Director of Financial Aid Payment Office (689)

Description
BakerRipley is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as the Director of the Financial Aid Payment Office (FAPO). This role oversees the administration of financial aid payments across the Gulf Coast Workforce Board's 13-county region, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and strong stakeholder coordination.
The Director leads a team of managers and assistant directors responsible for vendor payments, financial aid systems, childcare coordination, youth payroll, and compliance. This position plays a critical role in building and maintaining strategic relationships with internal departments, Board staff, contractors, and key vendors to ensure seamless service delivery and issue resolution.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team managing financial aid systems, vendor payments, childcare and youth payroll, and compliance.
• Build strategic relationships with BakerRipley departments (Accounting, Procurement, IT), Board staff teams, contractors, and vendors.
• Oversee the administration of FAMS and FACS systems, ensuring functionality and data integrity.
• Manage vendor onboarding, agreements, performance monitoring, and payment processing.
• Coordinate financial aid budgets, track expenditures, and provide forecasting and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including fraud prevention and recoupment.
• Represent FAPO in system-wide meetings and strategic planning initiatives.
• Advocate for FAPO's operational needs and contribute to system-wide innovation.
  

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership experience engaging with community partners, funders, or board members preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in financial systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  

Why Join Us?
At BakerRipley, you'll be part of a mission-driven organization committed to strengthening communities and empowering individuals. This role offers the opportunity to lead a high-impact team, shape regional workforce development, and collaborate with diverse partners across the Gulf Coast.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree preferred (Accounting or Business Management preferred); Master's degree a plus.
Experience: 4–6 years of team management experience, preferably in a nonprofit or workforce development setting.
Experience: 4–6 years of experience in financial operations, budgeting, grant compliance, and performance measurement.