POSITION TITLE:Director of Financial Aid

POSITION TITLE:Director of Financial Aid

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:Director of Financial Aid

REPORTS TO:Dean of Admission and Financial Aid

PRIMARY FUNCTION:Provide leadership and strategic vision for the Financial Aid Office to ensure the fair, accurate, compliant, and timely administration of over $80 million per year in federal, state, institutional, and private student financial assistance to an economically diverse student body of 3,000+ undergraduates. Serve in an advisory capacity/partnership with the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid to provide input on enrollment management strategy and policy decisions in support of enrollment and retention goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Management

  • Provide leadership and strategic vision for the Financial Aid Office to effectively serve prospective and current students and families with a high level of customer service.
  • Monitor and adjustto all changes and issues in financial aid policy, funding, and compliance.
  • Manage a staff of five full-time professional staff and one administrative assistant.Oversee all personnel functions including recruitment, selection, training, annual performance evaluations and professional development.
  • Allocate and monitor office workload to achieve institutional awarding, disbursement, and compliance objectives.
  • Anticipate and apprise the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid of concerns; recommend actions to address and/or resolve potential problems.
  • Collaborate with Registrar, Student Accounts, Business Office and Dean of Students offices to ensure efficient services are coordinated between offices and provided to students.
  • Administer the import/export process for ELCA/Faculty Staff Tuition benefit programs.

Compliance

  • Monitor and ensure compliance with all institutional, federal and state regulations related to financial aid.
  • Analyze, interpret and oversee the implementation of governmental regulatory and institutional policy changes.
  • Advance the use of technology to manage applications and calculatecompliant financial aid awards.
  • Coordinate annual financial aid compliance audits, respond to campus and other constituent inquiries, and conduct financial aid compliance analyses.

Strategic Planning and Analysis

  • Serve as a member of the Enrollment Management division, providing relevant information and input for strategic planning activities to shape an enrollment program that meets the College’s strategic enrollment goals.
  • Lead strategic planning activities within the Financial Aid Office working to ensure the office is prepared for new regulations, technological enhancements (including associated staff training and development), and to continually increase process efficiency and service to students.
  • Ensure successful upgrades and maintenance of PowerFAIDS and coordinate the integration of data between other College systems (ImageNow, Lawson, Slate, etc.) to improve daily operations, fully comply with relevant state and federal regulations and continually improve service to constituents.

Maintaining Relationships

  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with outside constituents (MN Office of Higher Education, US Department of Education, scholarship donors, and related government and community agencies).
  • Represent the College by serving as an active member of various professional financial aid groups (MPCC Financial Aid Directors, ACM Financial Aid Directors, etc.)
  • Ensure collaborative working relationships are maintained with a variety of College offices including Advancement, Stewardship, Registrar, Dean of Students, and Student Accounts.
  • Work in partnership with the Advancement Office to optimize revenue from donor-supported scholarships while enhancing strong relationships with the College’s current and potential donors in support of institutional financial aid.

Financial Management

  • Manage budgeting, awarding, reconciliation and reporting for over 800 scholarship, grant, work and loan funds.
  • Oversee the electronic transfer of information via US Department of Education applications to include NSLDS, COD, CPS, and state agencies.
  • Complete the annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Department of Education Application to Participate, Program Participation Agreement and numerous federal surveys including the Common Data Set, IPEDS, and the NCAA Division III Financial Aid Report.
  • Manage the Financial Aid operating budget to maximize office performance and maintain compliance with College financial policies.

Communication and Advising

  • Ensure that financial aid information is easily accessible in a variety of formats.
  • Advise students, parents, and other constituents regarding financial aid information.
  • Make professional judgment decisions, where such decisions are appropriate, for students in special situations.
  • Participate in outreach initiatives and make presentations on various financial aid topics to prospective students and families, current students, professional organizations, etc.
  • Advise senior administration on specific student issues related to financial aid.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Direct supervision of Financial Aid staff including Associate Directors, Assistant Directors and Financial Aid Assistant.

CONTACTS:The Financial Aid Director interacts with division staff on a daily basis. He/she also interacts with faculty, staff, department/office heads, Vice Presidents, and occasionally, the President. He/she also serves as the primary contact with The College Board and as a staff representative to vendors, etc.

EDUCATION: Essential:Bachelor’s degree.

Desirable:Master’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:Essential:Minimum of seven years’ experience as a financial aid professional in a higher education setting.

Desirable:At least two years of experience in a private residential liberal arts college setting. Supervisory experience of professional and support staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

  • Demonstrated analytical and technical skills to enhance systems and to use data in support of decision making, reporting, and maintaining compliance.
  • Collaborative leadership style with strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders and external audiences.
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of institutional, federal, and state financial aid programs, processes, and regulations.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently.
  • Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow; strong mentoring and coaching skills; ability to foster teamwork among staff members.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented, goal-centered environment.
  • Experience with financial aid management systems (PowerFAIDS preferred); experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:N/A

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Fast-paced office environment.

WORK SCHEDULE:FTE:1.0

Term:Full year.

Shift: Campus office hours, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

APPROVAL: Chris George

DATE:July, 2015