University Director of Financial Aid Strategy and Operations, Office of Student Financial Assistance

Position Details

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at The City University of New York (CUNY), located at the Central Office, serves as the central administrative hub for financial aid operations and provides guidance to financial aid offices across CUNY's 26 colleges and institutions throughout New York City. As a mission-critical department fundamental to delivering financial assistance, maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring uninterrupted student financial support, OSFA provides strategic oversight and administration of Federal, State, City, and institutional funding in compliance with government and institutional requirements, enabling access to higher education for over 219,000 students, and administers disbursements of over $1 billion in aid annually.

Beyond the standard multi-academic year processing of Title IV, NYS/NYC, and Institutional Aid, OSFA spearheads the implementation of evolving federal, state and city regulations, manages new awards and programs, and leads university-wide initiatives and technology implementations that directly impact student access and success across one of the nation's largest urban public university systems.

Reporting to the University Executive Director of Financial Aid, the University Director of Financial Aid Strategy and Operations, serves as a senior leader within OSFA, helping shape and advance University-wide priorities across financial aid operations, policy implementation, compliance, and systems services. The University Director serves as a primary liaison to campus financial aid offices, provides leadership and coordination of financial aid directives to OSFA’s Deputy Directors and other senior staff, and partners with University leaders to strengthen the timely, accurate, and equitable delivery of student aid. The University Director leads OSFA in the Executive Director’s absence.

Summary

In addition to the job summary above and CUNY Title Overview below, other key duties include, but will not be limited to the following: Direct University-wide financial aid operational planning and policy implementation in partnership with the University Executive Director of Financial Aid, establishing priorities, consistent practices and compliance across campus financial aid offices.

• Lead the development of financial aid strategies that advance student access and enrollment goals, including aid communications, packaging approaches, processing workflows, and supporting systems and services.
• Provides day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and coordination to OSFA’s Deputy Directors, Associate Directors and Financial Aid System Managers, aligning their work across complex financial aid programs, compliance, and systems services.
• Establish and oversee University-wide compliance practices in adherence with federal, state, city, and institutional aid requirements; assess and communicate implications of regulatory and legislative changes, guide campus implementation, resolve inconsistent policy interpretations and strengthen safeguards to reduce compliance and various risks.
• Direct financial aid audits, program reviews, and related corrective actions. Advise colleges during reviews, ensure unified and well-coordinated responses with University departments and external agencies, and oversee the resolution of findings.
• Oversee the quality and timely submission of University-wide financial aid data and reporting, including FISAP, NYSED reporting, audit responses, and other regulatory or management requests.
• Set priorities for financial aid systems and technology implementations and enhancements in collaboration with CUNY Computing and Information Services (CIS), campus financial aid offices, and external partners.
• Oversee the financial aid modules and functions of CUNYfirst, related federal and state systems, document management tools, partners with CIS to oversee security and access processes for third-party systems and software (e.g. Ellucian’s Student Forms, Education Loan Management Resources’ ELMOne, etc.), and other applications that support aid delivery.
• Monitor proposed legislation, new financial aid programs, and policy changes; advise senior University administrators and campus financial aid leaders on their implications; and translate complex requirements into clear operational guidance and improvements to the delivery of financial aid services.
• Leads communications and development and delivery of systems-related training for college financial aid office staff on new programs, systems, and initiatives, and oversee practices that support the accurate and timely processing and delivery of financial aid applications and related services.
• Represent OSFA on University financial aid and enrollment management committees and with external partners, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Notes

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

This position is not represented by the union.

Qualifications

Minimum

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.
• Advanced degree in higher education administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience in financial aid administration, including supervision of staff and oversight of complex operations across multiple colleges or institutions.
• In-depth knowledge of federal Title IV and New York State financial aid programs, regulatory requirements, audits, and risk management practices.
• Demonstrated experience developing or influencing financial aid policy, implementing regulatory changes, and advising campus or departmental leaders on complex compliance matters.
• Experience leading financial aid systems strategy, implementations, or enhancements; familiarity with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions financial aid functions or a comparable student information system.
• Experience using financial aid data to inform packaging strategy, streamline operations, meet reporting requirements, and advance student access.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and build effective working relationships with senior administrators, campus financial aid leaders, technology partners, auditors, and government agencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex financial aid policies and systems issues to varied audiences and guide University-wide training and change implementation.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding students’ access to financial aid and improving the policies, systems, and services that help them enroll, persist, and complete their education.

Cuny Title Overview

• Directs University-wide student financial assistance programs, systems and related activities to accomplish enrollment/retention goals and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Partners with campus financial aid offices and others to deliver financial aid and financial literacy programs, oversee account reconciliations, and maintain records as per requirements (FERPA, FELP, etc.)
• Interprets and applies relevant laws and regulations to the University's financial aid, tuition, work study and other policies and programs
• Oversees creation of required federal, state and institutional financial aid reports, disclosures and surveys (FISAP, IPEDS, etc.) and reconciles financial and statistical data
• As a compliance officer for Federal Title IV and state financial aid programs, ensures compliance and integrity of awards/disbursements
• Develops, implements, and audits internal controls and procedures across campuses to minimize risk exposure
• Supports campus and University offices in implementing and managing related PeopleSoft Campus Solutions modules and related technologies
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range is $150,770 - $160,827 , commensurate with credentials, education, and experience. Salary commensurate with education and experience. CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

How To Apply

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https: //hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?

Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=32859&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.