Director Of Financial Assistance

Job Title: Director of Financial Assistance

Department: Financial Assistance

Schedule: Regular, 12 mo., FT, M-F 8 am-5 pm

Supervisor: Vice President for Enrollment and Strategic Growth

IPEDS Classification: 11

FLSA Classification: Exempt

CUPA: 172000

Job Summary:

The Director of Financial Assistance serves as visionary, strategist, and chief administrator for the Office of Financial Assistance and administers a student financial assistance program consisting of federal, state, and local funds. The Director formulates department policies and procedures, communicates with students and staff, plans and implements funding allocation plan, supervises financial assistance staff, establishes procedures for and keeps records on transactions with students, ensures effective and efficient use of automated management of financial assistance systems, prepares or supervises the preparation of all required and ad hoc reports related to the operation of the office and ensures that the University's use of funds in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide vision for financial assistance department mission and strategy

• Manage the Department of Financial assistance budget.

• Manage University financial assistance allocations.

• Serve as security officer for office systems and data; responsible for all Financial Assistance system related access requests, both internally and with third-party software systems

• Collaborate with information systems and other relevant departments to ensure successful implementation and maintenance of financial assistance management software as well as integration with enrolment and academic information systems

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state policies, regulations, laws, and best practices regarding student financial assistance to ensure compliance with Title IV regulations.

• Monitor regulatory changes, evaluate the impact on the University of such changes, communicate impacts to relevant departments and individuals, and coordinate the University's response to ensure compliance.

• Prepare and administer financial assistance and student employment budgets to ensure appropriate spending.

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for operating student financial assistance programs by applicable laws and regulations.

• Manage all aspects of the financial assistance office's operations, including loan awarding, processing, and reconciliation; quality assurance; entrance and exit counseling; return to Title IV; and satisfactory academic progress.

• Manage timely and accurate institutional and regulatory reporting requirements, including IPEDS, FISAP, Direct loan reconciliations, reporting requirements, auditor documentation requests, and institutional annual Planning and Assessment Cycle reports.

• Manage and track the Satisfactory Academic Progress of all financial assistance recipients.

• Ensure that the communication and interaction between the financial assistance office and related administrative service departments, including admissions, student support services, registrar, and business office, is effective, precise, accurate, and concise.

• Serve as institutional liaison to various public and governmental agencies relevant to financial assistance.

• Maintain Financial Assistance policies and procedures manual.

• Maintain departmental staffing by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees and developing personal growth opportunities.

• Develop employees within their roles via coaching, counseling, and performance appraisal.

• Conduct regular check-ins with all direct reports to monitor performance, track progress on completing work duties and responsibilities, and discuss successes and challenges.

• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing and enforcing organization standards and adhering to legal regulations.

• Perform additional financial assistance-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties logically related to the position.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of financial assistance-related federal, state, and agency rules, regulations, and reporting requirements.

• Ability to supervise, lead, and develop a staff and create a productive team approach to problem-solving

• Ability to provide the highest level of service to students and their families

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with staff, administration, students, and faculty

• Financial acumen to manage funding allocations

• Exemplary attention to detail and accuracy

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and collaborative skills

• Demonstrated ability to follow established procedures and attend to details with accuracy

• Proficiency with Jenzabar Student Information System and PowerFAIDS ERP or comparable systems

• Proficient with Google and Microsoft Office suites

• Ability to provide the highest level of service to students and their families

• Commitment to principles of access and inclusion

• Ability to work independently as well as effectively and respectfully as part of a team environment

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and five years experience in financial aid positions of increasing responsibility required.

• Master's degree, Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA), director/managerial level, and private higher education experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Employees must frequently sit and use their hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Senior Associate Director

• Data Analyst (secondary)