Director, Student Financial Services Operations

Role Overview

• Oversee daily student financial services processing functions, including Student Aid Report (SAR) processing, verification flags, packaging, originations, authorizations, disbursement, reconciliation, and post-disbursement adjustments
• Provide oversight of daily student accounts processing functions, including billing, adjustments, refunds, reconciliation, and resolution of complex account activity
• Ensure timely and accurate awarding, disbursement, posting, and reconciliation of federal, state, institutional, and private aid
• Monitor workflow queues, processing timelines, and service-level expectations to support enrollment, persistence, cash management, and compliance objectives
• Execute operational processes in compliance with federal Title IV regulations, state requirements, and institutional policies and procedures
• Support audits, program reviews, and internal assessments by preparing documentation, responding to findings, and implementing corrective action plans in coordination with compliance leadership
• Maintain operational procedures and documentation to ensure consistent execution of regulatory and institutional requirements
• Partner with compliance leadership to implement new or revised regulatory requirements into day-to-day operations
• Serve as the business and functional owner for student financial operations, including configuration requirements, workflow design, testing, and operational readiness, in partnership with Information Technology
• Collaborate with institutional and systemwide teams on operational readiness for system enhancements, implementations, upgrades, and process changes
• Identify operational risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement through data analysis and performance monitoring
• Support systemwide reporting, reconciliation, and data integrity efforts related to student financial services
• Supervise, train, and evaluate financial aid and student account staff across the system
• Provide expert guidance on complex cases, escalations, and operational decision-making
• Support onboarding, cross-training, and professional development to ensure operational continuity and resilience
• Foster a student-centered, compliance-aware service culture aligned with organizational mission and values
• Support escalated student and family concerns related to financial aid eligibility, awards, billing, and account resolution
• Collaborate with system and campus partners to support communications, outreach, and student success initiatives
• Contribute to the development of operational guidance, training materials, and student-facing communications related to student financial services

Requirements

• Thorough understanding of student financial aid and student accounts operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal Title IV programs and operational compliance requirements
• Functional and in-depth experience with Student Information Systems, including financial aid and/or student account modules
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into effective operational processes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to work effectively across functional, institutional, and systemwide teams
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
• Ability to manage responsibilities in a complex, multi-institutional system environment
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in student financial services administration with significant operational responsibility
• Experience supervising and leading staff in a complex, multi-entity, or systemwide environment

Benefits

• generous paid time-off
• medical and dental insurance coverage
• life and disability insurance
• retirement plan with employer contribution
• multiple flexible spending accounts
• tuition reimbursement