Associate Director, Financial Aid

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit

university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic

shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised

of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students

pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and

Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of

Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health

Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an

expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield

embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging

critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering

ethical and religious values.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Financial Aid is a key member of

Fairfield University’s Financial Aid leadership team, supporting

the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of

financial aid operations. In alignment with the University’s

Jesuit, Catholic mission and commitment to cura personalis, this

role advances access, affordability, and student success through

ethical, student-centered service. The Associate Director partners

with the Executive Director to implement strategy, oversee core

processes, and enhance systems that support efficient and equitable

delivery of financial aid.

Job Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Director to support strategic

planning, policy development, and operational effectiveness.

• Provide leadership for day-to-day operations, including staff

guidance, workflow coordination, and process improvement.

• Create and maintain office policies and procedures manual in

accordance with federal, state and university policies.

• Oversee verification and satisfactory academic progress (SAP)

processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and clear

communication.

• Manage financial aid systems and technology (e.g., Net

Partner), including implementation of enhancements and electronic

processes.

• Support institutional reporting requirements, including FISAP,

and collaborate with Institutional Research on data analysis and

reporting.

• Prepare audit documents and act as liaison to auditing firm

during the annual A-133 audit and/or state audit as needed.

• Manage state grant program awarding, reconciling and reporting

requirements.

• Lead development and maintenance of financial aid

communications, including website content, publications, and

outreach materials.

• Serve as liaison to campus partners to support a coordinated,

student-centered approach to service delivery.

• Assist in the administration of the appeals process and serve

on the appeals committee.

• Advise and counsel students and families regarding financial

aid programs, application processes, and financing options.

• Serve as liaison to the advancement and development office in

support of the university endowment selection and awarding process.

Maintain and manage the endowment selection process.

• Collaborate with the university School Certifying Official on

matters related to Veteran’s Benefits and eligibility.

• Manage an assigned student caseload and perform file review and

verification as needed.

• Support onboarding, training, and professional development of

staff. Conduct performance reviews of direct reports.

• Present financial aid and financial literacy information at on-

and off-campus events.

• Monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education, NASFAA,

and other professional organizations and implement changes as

needed.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional

financial aid regulations and policies.

• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work

environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in

financial aid administration.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and institutional

financial aid regulations.

• Experience with financial aid systems and data management.
• Demonstrated experience managing and overseeing members of the

financial aid team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and

experience.

• Experience with PowerFAIDS, Workday Student, or similar

systems.

• Experience with Federal Student Aid Systems such as NSLDS, COD,

etc.

• Experience supervising staff or leading

projects/initiatives.

• Experience in a mission-driven, Jesuit, Catholic, or similarly

values-based institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to Fairfield University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission

and values, including cura personalis.

• Strong leadership, collaboration, and team development

skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the

ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to

detail.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced,

service-oriented environment.

• Commitment to ethical practice, equity, and student-centered

service.

Work Environment / Conditions

• Regular access to confidential student financial and academic

records.

• Evening and weekend hours may be required during peak

processing periods.

• Occasional travel may be required.

The expected wage range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000

annually.

Category

Enrollment Management - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as

required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs

indicate.

• Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of

work performed by employees within this classification. It is not

designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a

comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities,

activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees

assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may

change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without

notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory

background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all

employees and applicants for employment and prohibits

discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,

color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status,

genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender

identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by

federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and

conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,

promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of

absence, compensation and training.

Eligible employees may receive health, dental, retirement, paid

time off, tuition benefits, and other benefits according to

institutional policy.

Fairfield University Benefits

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents

including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the

"My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV.

You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section.

You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all

documents available before applying. Faculty Positions : If

you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine

them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable

contact in the job description. Staff positions : If you

need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to

upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu