Executive Director of Student Financial Services and Title IV Compliance - Internal Candidates Only

Position Information

Job Title Executive Director of Student Financial Services and Title IV Compliance - Internal Candidates Only Position Summary The Executive Director of Student Financial Services and Title IV Compliance provide leadership for student financial aid and student account functions, financial advising, financial literacy and Title IV compliance. The Executive Director will ensure regulatory compliance, enhance service delivery, and promote accountability in the management of all federal, state and institutional aid programs. Working collaboratively across the University, the Executive Director will streamline processes, strengthen cross-departmental coordination, and improve the student experience, aligning financial services with the University's values, mission and strategic plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Strategic Management

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for a unified Financial Aid and Student Accounts office, promoting a culture that values student experience and prioritizes outstanding customer service.
• Develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures that align with the University's enrollment and financial goals, focusing on financial aid awarding, revenue optimization, and student account management.
• Manage all aspects of data and reporting within the Ellucian Colleague system, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Serve as the institution's Title IV Compliance Lead ensuring full adherence to all federal financial aid regulations, overseeing policy implementation, monitoring regulatory changes, conducting internal reviews, and coordinating required reporting to safeguard the University's federal aid eligibility.

Collaboration and Cross Departmental Coordination

• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Finance and Administration, Enrollment Management, Registrar, Academic Advising, Admissions, Athletics, Student Affairs, and all other departments to support recruitment and retention of students.
• Play a key role in the annual tuition pricing and financial aid optimization plan, providing insight and support to optimize both financial aid and revenue strategies.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and coordination between Financial Aid and Student Accounts functions.
• Work directly and independently with the Vice President for Finance and Administration to develop the institutional aid budget and monitoring of the tuition discount rate and on all other projects and requests as needed.
• Participate in key campus-wide events including but not limited to admissions and retention events.

Operational Management and Compliance

• Oversee the processing and issuance of financial aid awards, including scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of aid, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations and institutional policies.
• Oversee the billing, collection and recording of all university funds for student accounts, various department revenues and the overall operation and management of student accounts.
• Supervise and guide the development of budgets and financial aid packaging strategies that align with university goals for enrollment, discount rate management and net tuition revenue.
• Prepare and submit all required reports and documentation, including but not limited to FISAP, , annual compliance audit, and accounts receivable aging reports. Additionally, collaborate with other internal stakeholders to facilitate other critical reports; ie. IPEDS.
• Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV funds financial aid, Drop for Non-Payment, and collection processes.
• Lead efforts to enhance the student experience by providing clear, supportive, and personalized guidance on financial aid and billing processes.
• Develop proactive communication strategies to keep students and families informed and engaged throughout their financial journey at the University.
• Ensuring that all financial aid and student accounts operations are aligned with a service-oriented philosophy that prioritizes responsiveness, accuracy, and transparency.
• Engage in the University's institutional effectiveness process including annual planning and outcomes assessment, applying effective methods of evaluation and continuous improvement as related to the Finance and Administration Division.

Staff Supervision and Professional Development

• Supervise and support the professional development of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge of best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends in financial aid and student accounts management.
• Attend professional conferences and workshops related to financial aid and student account management.

Financial Aid and Revenue Optimization

The Executive Director will be expected to work with and collaborate with institutional partners and internal stakeholders to:

• Implement financial aid leveraging strategies and best practices to maximize the impact of institutional aid on recruitment and retention.
• Evaluate financial aid strategies regularly to optimize net tuition revenue and meet enrollment goals.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding the balance between need-based aid, merit aid, and other forms of financial assistance.
• Make recommendations related to impact of financial aid on student recruitment and retention, including administration of the appeal process for incoming and continuing students. Review all appeal requests and family situations that require professional judgement.

Education, Certifications and/or Licenses Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred (Higher Education Administration, Finance, Business, or related field).

Experience Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in student financial services, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience managingaudits, program reviews, and regulatory inquiries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as the senior compliance officer for Title IV programs.
• Experience at institutions with complex aid portfolios or high compliance exposure.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required Qualifications

• Extensive, demonstrated expertise inTitle IV financial aid administration and compliance.
• Significant working knowledge ofStudent Accounts operations,billing, refunds, and collections.
• Deep understanding of tuition discounting, institutional aid strategy, and net revenue implications.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations governing student financial services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with enterprise SIS and financial aid systems (e.g., Colleague, Banner, PeopleSoft, PowerFAIDS, Workday Student).
• NASFAA credentials or advanced regulatory trainings preferred.

Key Competencies

• Regulatory expertise and risk management
• Strategic financial and enrollment analysis
• Executive-level communication and judgment
• Policy development and governance
• Data-driven decision-making
• Collaborative leadership across functional areas

Salary Range

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number 2016AS1078P Posting Open Date Open Until Filled Posting Close Date Special Instructions to Applicants