Executive Director, Office of Financial Aid

Executive Director, Office of Financial Aid &

Scholarships

Job Type

Full-time

Saint Mary's College of California (SMC) seeks a dynamic and

collaborative Executive Director for the Office of Financial Aid

& Scholarships who will develop, implement, and advance

comprehensive financial aid services. Reporting to the Senior Vice

President for Student Experience and Enrollment Management (SEEM),

the Executive Director will join the SEEM Leadership Team

consisting of campus partners in the Office of Admissions, Office

of The Registrar, Student Life, Office of Marketing and

Communications, and Mission & Ministry, and collaborate fully

within a caring and supportive community.

The Executive Director oversees and leads the implementation of

financial aid leveraging strategies, financial aid policies and

procedures, and awarding practices to assist undergraduate and

graduate student enrollment and retention. The Office of Financial

Aid & Scholarships staff is optimistic, engaged, and eager to

attract and support a seasoned leader who will provide exemplary

customer service, and manage, mentor and train the staff for

optimal professional performance.

Requirements

Essential Job Functions

Responsible for the integrity of all financial aid programs. The

Executive Director will create and update policies and procedures

to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance, and all federal and

state reporting and reconciliation is complete. Provide leadership

as it relates to the impact of federal, state, and institutional

financial aid budgeting decisions. The Executive Director will

remain current on all regional and national financial rules,

regulations, policies, and trends, and on financial aid best

practices.

Establish and execute policies and procedures to support the

objectives, goals, and priorities of the SEEM Division and of SMC.

The Executive Director will collaborate and develop strong working

relationships with the Senior Vice President and Leadership Team

for SEEM and other campus partners to help SMC reach enrollment

targets and retention goals through financial aid optimization,

including but not limited to discount rate and net tuition revenue.

The Executive Director will meet with campus partners regularly and

serve on institutional committees to resolve issues and proactively

work towards greater cross campus efficiencies to ensure full

compliance and greater customer care.

Responsible for all awarding processes and disbursement of

approximately $90 Million in financial aid, the Executive Director

will facilitate effective financial aid packaging, including

timely, electronic notification to students and delivery of

financial aid funds. The Executive Director will implement best

practices and practical delivery of funded and unfunded

institutional gift assistance for students and support the efforts

of the Advancement Office on endowed scholarship awarding and

distribution, and appropriate donor stewardship.

Maintain a level of service excellence regarding financial aid

policies and procedures, and best practices for financial aid

processes, communications, and delivery. The Executive Director

will ensure the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships staff

has the knowledge and professional training to foster the

continuity and clarity of office duties, as well as, consistency,

empathy, support, and follow through for best practices in customer

care. The Executive Director will guide, mentor, teach, and work

alongside the staff to instill the value of team effort.

Maintain trust and confidence in the Office of Financial Aid &

Scholarships by being a prominent leader and an effective

communicator among campus partners and students. The Executive

Director will develop workshops and programming focused on

financial literacy and college affordability for staff, faculty and

students.

Encourage innovation and inclusive excellence within the Office of

Financial Aid & Scholarships to provide student-centered

services for graduation. The Executive Director will ensure all the

Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships practices are guided by,

and comply with, ethical standards.

Develop, analyze, and interpret statistical financial data for

enrollment and financial reporting, including, but not limited to:

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Common Data

Set, California SB70 enrollment, Federal Fiscal Operations Report

and Application to Participate (FISAP), Federal Single Audit for

Campus-Based Aid, federal and state (Cal Grant) Program

Participation Agreement, and state Institutional Participation

Agreement.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree is required; advanced degree is strongly

preferred.

8 years of progressive leadership and management experience in

financial aid administration is required; previous director

experience and higher education experience are strongly

preferred.

Proven track record in systems optimizations, including experience

working with Ellucian Colleague and financial aid modules is

preferred; proficiency in financial aid related technology is

required. Should be skilled in the use of technology to support

efficient systems and a positive student experience.

Demonstrated evidence of customer service orientation with the

ability to serve all individuals well in a highly diverse student

population with tact, diplomacy and good judgment.

Experience training, managing, mentoring, and professionally

developing a team with positive strength and energy.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Ability to multitask and advance multiple, high-priority projects

simultaneously. Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining a high

level of accuracy and professionalism.

Effective team player, as well as, the ability to complete quality

work independently. Demonstrated executive presence. A

collaborative and proactive problem solver, who works well under

pressure with a positive demeanor.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel,

PowerPoint and Outlook.

Willing to actively contribute to SMC's mission.

Recognition, appreciation and respect for the strength of a smaller

community of staff, faculty and students.

Other Requirements

Some travel, weekend and evening work, as needed.

Salary Description $150,000

To apply, visit https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3785380

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