Executive Director Of Student Services

Executive Director - Student Financial Services

Job Summary:

The Director of Student Financial Services provides oversight of the overall management and administration of all students' financial aid as well as the operation of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts Offices. This director is responsible for administrating staff and programs that assist students with billing, financial aid applications, and receipt of federal, state and institutional funds that make it financially possible for them to attend VUU. The director oversees a team of staff members who serve undergraduate and graduate financial aid applicants. Their responsibilities include hiring, training, and providing professional development opportunities and mentoring to all financial services staff. Additionally, the director collaborates closely with institutional colleagues to achieve enrollment and retention goals. They work with campus partners to create and implement policies related to awarding institutional aid, ensuring alignment with the University's enrollment objectives. In conjunction with the Vice President, the director also manages financial aid leveraging strategies, policies, and awarding practices to efficiently and strategically distribute aid. This person has a responsibility to ensure VUU is complying will all state and federal regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute effective awarding strategies for new students, aligning with enrollment and fiscal goals while ensuring affordability.

• Analyze current student enrollment data and implement financial strategies to enhance retention while maintaining affordability.

• Manage and evaluate key functions related to federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including awarding, processing, and interpretation.

• Oversee billing and student accounts, optimizing cash flow and minimizing outstanding balances and registration barriers.

• Supervise departmental activities, including budgets, personnel, facilities, and form revisions.

• Compliance with federal and state regulations, maintaining accurate reporting.

• Financial aid and student billing communication with support teams across the university.

• Coordinate all financial aid and student billing communication workflow with student support teams across the university.

• Coordinate communications with each campus' support teams to ensure timely and proper cadence of information.

• Providing financial aid and billing information updates for student events such as student visits, NSO, etc.

• Develop and maintain regular training for admissions, enrollment, and Wildcat Central financial aid and billing support teams.

• Responsible for developing and evaluating the communication strategy for unforeseen events affecting new and continuing students across all campuses.

• Facilitate regular meetings with campus teams and combined financial aid/billing support teams.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of managerial experience in higher education financial aid/student accounts or five years of financial aid/student accounts experience with progressive levels of responsibility in a higher education financial aid or student accounts office.

• Knowledge and experience working with reports and auditing data.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to the delivery of financial aid funds for higher education.

• Experience with technological resources including a wide variety of software programs and applications including but not restricted to university ERP systems, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

• Knowledge of federal tax forms and financial aid application forms.

• Skilled in math and accounting procedures to reconcile student and financial aid fund accounts.

• Skilled and experience in customer services to provide excellent customer care.

• Ability to communicate in verbal and written form to ensure shared understanding of information.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Ability to deal with sensitive financial and personal situations of students and parents.

Qualifications:

Master's degree preferred in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Administration, Education, or other closely related field.

A minimum of five years' experience in a supervisory residence hall position in a higher education atmosphere.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Applications Deadline:

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications should include a resume with three references and a cover letter. Please email AskHR@vuu.edu should you require additional assistance completing the employment application or experience any technical issues.

The selected applicant may be required to submit to a background investigation. VUU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.

For more information about Virginia Union University, visit https://www.vuu.edu/about-vuu