Financial Aid Director

About the job

We are currently seeking to fill our Financial Aid Director position at the Philadelphia campus with a highly qualified and passionate individual.

Job Title: Financial Aid Director

Department: Financial Aid

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19095

Employment Type: On-site (full-time)

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Financial Aid Department. The Financial Aid Director ensures students receive timely, accurate financial aid. This role includes counseling, aid processing, compliance monitoring, and staff mentoring. Ideal candidates have deep Title IV knowledge, strong tech skills, and a student-first mindset. The Director collaborates closely with departmental staff, department leaders, internal and external stakeholders ensuring an efficient and effective financial aid process.

Financial Aid Director will be responsible for overseeing strategic leadership and daily operations of federal, state, and institutional aid programs across first-year, transfer, adult, graduate, and continuing education populations. Proven record of ensuring full regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and accurate aid packaging, origination, disbursement, reconciliation, and return of funds, maintaining 100% eligibility and zero audit findings. Collaborative leader who partners with Enrollment, Academic Affairs, Registrar, and executive leadership to align financial aid strategy with enrollment growth, retention, and student success initiatives. Adept at implementing process improvements, training staff on evolving regulations, managing complex student portfolios, and developing compliant policies and procedures. Experienced in supporting online, global, and non-traditional programs through strategic consulting, outreach, market analysis, and community partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Oversee the strategic direction and daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring efficient, student-centered service delivery across diverse student populations.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Registrar, Academic Affairs, Marketing, and Student Services to align financial aid strategies with institutional success metrics.
• Implement and continuously improve financial aid processes, systems, and advising models to support varied student constituencies.
• Lead and supervise financial aid staff, providing training, performance management, and professional development in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Compliance, Audit, & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and institutional financial aid laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and policies.
• Lead annual audit preparation, compliance reviews, and program assessments, maintaining institutional eligibility and accurate reporting outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and regularly revise financial aid policies and procedures to support regulatory adherence and operational efficiency.
• Remain current on changes to federal and state financial aid regulations and provide guidance and training to institutional staff.

Financial Aid Administration

• Coordinate and manage all approved Federal, State, and Institutional financial aid programs.
• Oversee packaging, origination, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting of financial aid awards for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
• Manage student aid portfolios, including accurate calculation and processing of Return of Title IV and institutional funds when enrollment changes or students withdraw.
• Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of all financial aid expenditures and reporting to government agencies.

Student & Stakeholder Communication

• Ensure clear, accurate, and timely communication to students regarding financial aid eligibility, award status, loan requirements, and return of funds.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for students, staff, and leadership regarding financial aid policies, regulations, and campus-based aid programs.

Enrollment, Outreach, & Institutional Partnerships:

• Support holistic enrollment management initiatives, including strategic outreach, marketing, and engagement across multiple delivery locations.
• Partner with leadership of online, global, and non-traditional programs to integrate financial aid compliance into admissions, advising, and marketing frameworks.
• Develop and manage site and regional plans addressing market research, enrollment strategies, student services, instructor support, facility usage, and promotional efforts.
• Initiate and maintain strong relationships with community organizations and corporate employers to support workforce-aligned academic programming and economic development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Higher Education Administration, Finance, Business, or related field).
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal and state financial aid regulations, compliance, and audit processes.
• Proven leadership experience managing staff and complex financial aid operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; confident and effective in both one-on-one and group settings;
• A proactive, customer-service mindset and comfort with goal-oriented, relationship-based outreach;
• A warm, engaging communication style and the ability to connect authentically;
• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and shared purpose among colleagues and campus stakeholders;
• Must have a USDOE or other Title IV training certification;
• Must have the experience on preparing compliance reports to USDOE: 2 years (Preferred);
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with student information systems;
• Discretion and professionalism in managing sensitive information;

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person