Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations

Join Our Financial Aid Department and help create a seamless, student-centered experience by advancing innovative processes, leveraging technology, and delivering the support students need to achieve their educational goals. As the Associate Director you are responsible for maintaining financial aid training materials and leading staff training to ensure timely and accurate awarding of financial aid to students. This is a benefit eligible position offering a comprehensive benefits package. Apply today!

As a Catholic, Marianist research University, we are a diverse community committed to educating the whole person and linking learning and scholarship with leadership and service. Enrollment Management is focused on service excellence to recruit, enroll and graduate highly qualified students and improve access, affordability, diversity, inclusion and success.

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid Operations and Compliance, the Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations provides technical leadership and support to manage the day to day operations within the Financial Aid Office. This individual devises innovative approaches to financial aid procedures and spearheads process improvements to align with University directives and enhance student experiences. The Associate Director serves as a key member of the Financial Aid Operations team and will collaborate with staff throughout the office, division and university to drive continuous improvement.

The Associate Director is responsible for maintaining financial aid training materials and leading staff training to ensure timely and accurate awarding of financial aid to students. This staff member utilizes various tools to create communications for students and parents based on business needs and is responsible for the review of Financial Aid Offers in close collaboration with the Enrollment Management Communication Center (EMCC). This person manages automated processes for day-to-day financial aid work and works closely with UDIT to develop and maintain these. Additionally, this person has oversight of the Federal Work Study reconciliation, Federal Direct Loan and grant programs, and monitors aid awarding and disbursements to mitigate compliance risk. The Associate Director works closely with operations staff and external partners to manage electronic loan files sent from private lenders and ensures accurate and timely disbursements through proactive review of student records. The role requires a high degree of collaboration, and problem solving on a daily basis. The successful Associate Director works systematically to ensure that all technical opportunities available to the office are fully leveraged.

As Associate Director, this position will develop the skills and knowledge of their team and drive an exceptional organizational culture. This individual provides leadership for various financial aid operations including packaging, loan and grant processing, and department communications.

As a Catholic, Marianist University, we believe that diversity, and inclusion are essential to the success of students and staff. The Associate Director will work individually and as a member of a team to make tangible contributions to UD’s mission. All employees are empowered to attend workshops, seminars, and other educational experiences to deepen their understanding of our mission and strategic priorities.

* Bachelor’s Degree OR five years experience working in financial aid with progressive growth in responsibilities
* 3 years’ professional experience within Financial Aid, including a one-stop office with a focus on financial aid service
* Effective written and verbal communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Knowledge of student Financial Aid laws and regulations internal controls, compliance and audit concepts
* Ability to successfully improve and streamline processes
* Experience simultaneously managing multiple projects and bringing them to successful completion
* Ability to provide leadership as a collaborative team member

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

* Master’s Degree in Higher Education or Business is preferred
* Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and effectively partner to drive process improvement
* 5 years’ experience in financial aid office with demonstration of progressive leadership responsibilities
* Supervisory experience including a demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities and leverage skills across a team
* Enrollment Management or Higher Education experience at a private University
* Experience with Ellucian Banner, Cognos, HTML, Automic and Salesforce CRM environment
* Ability to handle various assignments at once and work in a fast-paced environment
* Demonstrated approach to work with adaptability and a desire to learn
* Understanding of Banner data fields for reporting needs
* Strong customer-oriented approach and the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies
* Demonstrated ability to perform at high level of efficiency
* Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions for student policy and team priorities
* Ability to work with staff, students and families in a manner consistent with Catholic and Marianist values and principles
* Ability to promote inclusive excellence in the workplace

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.