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 r