University Support Services
Executive Director of Financial Aid
University Support Services, Great River, New York, us, 11739
Overview
Join to apply for the Executive Director of Financial Aid role at University Support Services. Location options include Great River, NY, United States; Ivins, UT, United States. Base pay range: $154,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr. This range is provided by University Support Services. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Support Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive financial aid strategy that supports institutional enrollment and retention goals. Partner with Enrollment and Financial Aid Operations leaders to design aid packages and policies that are competitive, compliant, and student-centered. Leverage data analytics and predictive modeling to inform financial aid strategies and measure the impact of aid on recruitment, yield, and student success. Serve as a senior advisor to University leadership on financial aid trends, emerging regulations, and best practices in student financing. Operational Management Direct daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring efficient and compliant awarding and disbursement of funds. Oversee the work of 2 Associate Directors and a team of 15+ staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Lead the development of policies and procedures that maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations (including Title IV programs). Ensure robust systems of internal controls and audit readiness for all financial aid processes, disclosures, and reports. Manage the certification of loans and loan eligibility, oversee returns and adjustments, and maintain accuracy across aid processing. Evaluate processes regularly to streamline workflows, integrate new technologies, and improve the student and staff experience. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Ensure strict adherence to Title IV, loan regulations, maintaining institutional eligibility and good standing with federal agencies. In conjunction with the Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid Compliance, Operations and Training, oversee financial aid reporting, audits (including single audits), and compliance reviews, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency. Interpret and communicate changes in federal and state legislation, proactively adjusting institutional policies and operations as needed. Lead initiatives to improve financial literacy (including debt management), advising, and outreach for students and families, including participation in orientation, admissions events, counseling sessions, and workshops. Actively engage with students and families by providing counseling, presentations, and workshops on aid eligibility, borrowing, repayment, budgeting, and financial wellness. Oversee appeals and exceptional cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and student-focused resolution processes. Advocate for positive student experiences while balancing compliance, fiscal stewardship, and institutional priorities. Promote a culture of equity, accessibility, and service within all financial aid operations. Recruit, mentor, and retain a talented team of financial aid professionals. Foster professional development opportunities, cross-training, and succession planning to build a resilient and future-ready organization. Create a culture of openness, accountability, and continuous learning through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making. Champion staff contributions and ensure alignment of resources to support professional and institutional goals. Campus & External Engagement Build and sustain collaborative relationships across key campus offices, including Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Deans, and Student Services. Represent the University at national and regional professional associations, enhancing institutional visibility and staying informed on best practices. Serve on University committees, contributing to discussions on student success, compliance, retention, and institutional planning. Act as the University’s subject matter expert on financial aid policy, compliance, and strategy. Other Duties Provide coverage for core functions as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to applicants and students. Perform other duties and special projects assigned by leadership. This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This position may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the department/institution. Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs, including Title IV regulations, needs analysis, and compliance. Deep expertise in Banner, UC4, COD, and NSLDS; proven track record in compliance and operational oversight. Expertise in financial aid systems and technologies (Banner, Jenzabar, Salesforce, PowerFAIDS) and proficiency in data management and reporting. Experience managing financial aid audits, budgets, and large-scale disbursement processes. Proven ability to link budgetary decisions to enrollment outcomes and institutional goals. Demonstrates high emotional intelligence. Practices self-awareness and accountability. Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and relationship management skills with a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, adaptive environment. Commitment to student advocacy, equity, and service excellence. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctorate strongly preferred. Experience may substitute for education where appropriate. At least 15 years of progressive leadership in financial aid (20+ years preferred), with demonstrated success in higher education. Strong background in financial aid operations, policy development, and staff leadership. Preferred Qualifications
Experience leveraging predictive modeling and enrollment analytics to inform aid strategies. Prior involvement in institutional strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives. Active engagement in national and regional financial aid associations. Track record of successful change management in financial aid operations. Work Environment/Physical Demands
This job is performed at a workstation in a positive, creative and collaborative environment that may sometimes become quite noisy. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets. Hours and Travel
Standard work week: Full-Time. Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Dependent on time zone for hours) May be required to work evenings or weekends during heavy peak seasons or as needed. This job may require occasional travel as appropriate for department initiatives. Seniorities
Executive Employment type
Full-time Job function
Management and Customer Service Industries
Higher Education, Education Administration Programs, and Education This description was refined for formatting quality and to ensure clarity of responsibilities and qualifications. Referrals or job alerts sections have been omitted to focus on the role content.
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Join to apply for the Executive Director of Financial Aid role at University Support Services. Location options include Great River, NY, United States; Ivins, UT, United States. Base pay range: $154,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr. This range is provided by University Support Services. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Support Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive financial aid strategy that supports institutional enrollment and retention goals. Partner with Enrollment and Financial Aid Operations leaders to design aid packages and policies that are competitive, compliant, and student-centered. Leverage data analytics and predictive modeling to inform financial aid strategies and measure the impact of aid on recruitment, yield, and student success. Serve as a senior advisor to University leadership on financial aid trends, emerging regulations, and best practices in student financing. Operational Management Direct daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring efficient and compliant awarding and disbursement of funds. Oversee the work of 2 Associate Directors and a team of 15+ staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Lead the development of policies and procedures that maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations (including Title IV programs). Ensure robust systems of internal controls and audit readiness for all financial aid processes, disclosures, and reports. Manage the certification of loans and loan eligibility, oversee returns and adjustments, and maintain accuracy across aid processing. Evaluate processes regularly to streamline workflows, integrate new technologies, and improve the student and staff experience. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Ensure strict adherence to Title IV, loan regulations, maintaining institutional eligibility and good standing with federal agencies. In conjunction with the Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid Compliance, Operations and Training, oversee financial aid reporting, audits (including single audits), and compliance reviews, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency. Interpret and communicate changes in federal and state legislation, proactively adjusting institutional policies and operations as needed. Lead initiatives to improve financial literacy (including debt management), advising, and outreach for students and families, including participation in orientation, admissions events, counseling sessions, and workshops. Actively engage with students and families by providing counseling, presentations, and workshops on aid eligibility, borrowing, repayment, budgeting, and financial wellness. Oversee appeals and exceptional cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and student-focused resolution processes. Advocate for positive student experiences while balancing compliance, fiscal stewardship, and institutional priorities. Promote a culture of equity, accessibility, and service within all financial aid operations. Recruit, mentor, and retain a talented team of financial aid professionals. Foster professional development opportunities, cross-training, and succession planning to build a resilient and future-ready organization. Create a culture of openness, accountability, and continuous learning through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making. Champion staff contributions and ensure alignment of resources to support professional and institutional goals. Campus & External Engagement Build and sustain collaborative relationships across key campus offices, including Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Deans, and Student Services. Represent the University at national and regional professional associations, enhancing institutional visibility and staying informed on best practices. Serve on University committees, contributing to discussions on student success, compliance, retention, and institutional planning. Act as the University’s subject matter expert on financial aid policy, compliance, and strategy. Other Duties Provide coverage for core functions as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to applicants and students. Perform other duties and special projects assigned by leadership. This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This position may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the department/institution. Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs, including Title IV regulations, needs analysis, and compliance. Deep expertise in Banner, UC4, COD, and NSLDS; proven track record in compliance and operational oversight. Expertise in financial aid systems and technologies (Banner, Jenzabar, Salesforce, PowerFAIDS) and proficiency in data management and reporting. Experience managing financial aid audits, budgets, and large-scale disbursement processes. Proven ability to link budgetary decisions to enrollment outcomes and institutional goals. Demonstrates high emotional intelligence. Practices self-awareness and accountability. Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and relationship management skills with a wide range of stakeholders. Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, adaptive environment. Commitment to student advocacy, equity, and service excellence. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctorate strongly preferred. Experience may substitute for education where appropriate. At least 15 years of progressive leadership in financial aid (20+ years preferred), with demonstrated success in higher education. Strong background in financial aid operations, policy development, and staff leadership. Preferred Qualifications
Experience leveraging predictive modeling and enrollment analytics to inform aid strategies. Prior involvement in institutional strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives. Active engagement in national and regional financial aid associations. Track record of successful change management in financial aid operations. Work Environment/Physical Demands
This job is performed at a workstation in a positive, creative and collaborative environment that may sometimes become quite noisy. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets. Hours and Travel
Standard work week: Full-Time. Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Dependent on time zone for hours) May be required to work evenings or weekends during heavy peak seasons or as needed. This job may require occasional travel as appropriate for department initiatives. Seniorities
Executive Employment type
Full-time Job function
Management and Customer Service Industries
Higher Education, Education Administration Programs, and Education This description was refined for formatting quality and to ensure clarity of responsibilities and qualifications. Referrals or job alerts sections have been omitted to focus on the role content.
#J-18808-Ljbffr