Director of Financial Aid

Title: Director of Financial Aid

VP Area: Student Financial Services

Department: Financial Aid Office

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: Occasional Telework Available

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose

The Director of Financial Aid leads the strategic and operational functions of the university’s financial aid programs. This role provides senior-level leadership in compliance, technology, and student services, ensuring exceptional customer experience while maintaining full adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Director manages a high-performing team, oversees departmental budgets and resources, and implements innovations in technology, process, and policy to advance institutional enrollment and student success goals.

Essential Functions

25% - Strategic Leadership

• Provide senior-level oversight of all financial aid operations, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy, enrollment goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze trends in higher education and financial aid to guide long-term departmental planning and decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with Enrollment Management, Finance, Student Affairs, and IT to optimize student financial support systems and enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and execute strategic projects, including process redesign, technology implementation, and workflow improvement, to advance departmental performance.
• Represent the financial aid office in institutional and external forums, maintaining awareness of national best practices and emerging trends.
• Identify and manage risk related to compliance, operations, and technology, and implement solutions to mitigate potential issues.

25% - Staff Supervision and Team Development

• Directly supervise and develop a team of financial aid professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Lead regular team meetings, one-on-one coaching sessions, and performance evaluations to ensure clear expectations, accountability, and professional growth.
• Ensure staff have access to the resources, technology, equipment, and time needed to perform their work efficiently and effectively.
• Design and implement training programs to maintain expertise in financial aid regulations, systems, and customer service practices.
• Promote an inclusive, supportive work environment that values diversity and encourages engagement and professional development.
• Identify and address gaps in staffing, skills, or workflow, creating solutions to improve team performance and operational efficiency.
• Recognize and celebrate staff contributions to build morale and reinforce the department’s mission.

20% - Compliance and Policy Oversight

• Maintain overall responsibility for compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, ensuring all operations meet legal and policy standards.
• Provide oversight and guidance for the development, updating, and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Review and interpret audits, program reviews, and accreditation guidelines, implementing corrective actions and communicating changes to staff and leadership.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for staff on regulatory requirements, policy interpretation, and procedural questions.
• Monitor emerging regulations and trends, providing strategic recommendations to leadership for policy updates and operational adjustments.
• Ensure documentation is maintained, accessible, and regularly updated to support training, compliance, and departmental accountability.

20% - Technology and Process Management

• Oversee department technology platforms, including financial aid systems, document imaging, and other operational tools.
• Partner with division technology analysts and project managers to ensure software updates, patches, and system enhancements are implemented timely and effectively.
• Assess current technology usage and identify opportunities to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and enhance student and staff experiences.
• Develop and execute reports, dashboards, and data analytics to support decision-making and operational planning.
• Test new systems, tools, and updates to verify functionality and alignment with departmental needs.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on effective use of technology, ensuring tools are utilized to their full potential to support compliance and service delivery.

10% - Student Experience and Outreach

• Design and implement strategies to enhance the overall student and parent experience in financial aid and Student Financial Services.
• Develop systemic solutions to provide consistent, accurate, and timely financial aid information across multiple channels, including web, email, phone, and in-person interactions.
• Collaborate with partners across SFS and other university departments to streamline processes, improve communications, and ensure students and families receive a coordinated, supportive experience.
• Analyze trends in student inquiries and challenges to proactively adjust operations, technology, and messaging to improve access and satisfaction.
• Lead outreach initiatives that support financial literacy, student financial wellness, and equitable access to financial aid programs.
• Monitor and evaluate systemic performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement operational enhancements.
• Represent the financial aid office in campus and external outreach, including presentations, workshops, and partnerships with schools or community organizations.
• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department
  
  

Educational Requirement

Bachelor's Degree

Years Of Related Experience Requirement

5 years

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education.

Certifications And/or Licensures

Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in common office productivity tools to create and maintain documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Skilled at using data analysis and reporting tools to organize, interpret, and present information effectively.
• Comfortable learning and applying new software and technology to optimize work processes.
• Experience with an integrated administrative computing system, such as Banner, Colleague, Peoplesoft, etc.
• Experience managing and prioritizing multiple tasks and working both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills necessary to explain complex processes to colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze data, investigate discrepancies, and prepare accurate reports.
• Experience working in the financial aid, enrollment management, or higher education student services field.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven ability to learn, implement, and optimize new software and technology to improve departmental efficiency and compliance.
• NASFAA U credentials, FAAC, or similar professional certifications related to financial aid or enrollment management administration.
• Demonstrated experience applying knowledge from professional development to lead teams and enhance operations.
  
  

Physical & On-Campus Requirements

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $76,000-$95,000

Pay Range

Minimum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 71120

Midpoint Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 88900

Maximum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): 106680

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement or a signing bonus?: False

At this time, the University has suspended all new H1B visa sponsorships.