Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid - Lehigh Valley (Full Time)

About the position

Reporting to the Executive Director of Financial Aid, the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid provides senior-level leadership within the Office of Student Financial Aid for the LHVN campus. This position oversees complex financial aid operations, regulatory compliance, and student information processes that support undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including nursing and other health professions programs. This position works collaboratively with academic leadership, including the College of Nursing and College of Health Professions, to ensure accurate management of student financial aid and compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations at the LHVN campus.

The Senior Associate University Registrar serves as a strategic partner in the development and implementation of policies, systems, and procedures that support student success while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership within the Financial Aid Office, which may include staff training and development of policies and procedures,
• Serve as the primary financial aid authority at the LVHN location.
• Establish workflows and service standards for the location.
• Oversee daily operations without on‑site supervision.
• Interpret and implement federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Coordinate with the main campus to align processes, calendars, and communications.
• Represent the financial aid office in cross‑departmental meetings at LVHN site.
• Represent the institution at local events, high schools, or community organizations.
• Build relationships that support recruitment and retention.
• Act as the “face” of financial aid for the LVHN campus
• Ensure all aid processing complies with Title IV regulations, State grant rules, and Institutional policies
• Perform file reviews, verification, and documentation audits.
• Monitor Return to Title IV (R2T4) triggers and coordinate with the main office for processing.
• Maintain secure handling of sensitive student data.
• Maintain adherence to standards and best practices recommended by Department of Education and National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• Package aid, adjust awards, and manage professional judgment cases.
• Troubleshoot Banner system issues and coordinate IT Resolution with main campus.
• Run reports, track enrollment changes, and monitor disbursements.
• Meet with students, parents to discuss application processing, timelines, aid opportunities, and debt management
• Offer financial literacy programming at location

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 - 7 years of progressive student financial aid experience
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing complex operational processes.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations
• Experience working with Student Information Systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft, Colleague, Workday Student).
• Ability to interpret and implement academic policies and regulatory requirements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience supporting health professions or nursing programs in higher education.
• Experience in Public Speaking
• Strong technology knowledge.

Benefits

• medical (including prescription) supplemental insurance dental vision life and AD&D insurance short- and long-term disability flexible spending accounts retirement plans tuition assistance voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts.
• tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service.