Senior Director, Financial Aid

Role Overview

• Oversee all centralized financial aid operations, including application processing, verification, awarding, advising, disbursement coordination, and student support
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid across all institutions
• Maintain accountability for service delivery, processing timelines, and the overall student financial aid experience
• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Director of Financial Aid, who manages day-to-day operations and staff execution
• Monitor operational performance, workflow efficiency, and service levels to support enrollment, persistence, and financial integrity
• Lead the centralized financial aid function, establishing priorities, performance expectations, and operational standards
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and regulatory, institutional, and student experience expectations
• Maintain ultimate accountability for all financial aid-related functions, outcomes, and compliance obligations, including institutional eligibility for Title IV participation
• Serve as the final escalation point for complex, sensitive, or high-risk financial aid matters
• Lead systemwide financial aid initiatives, including regulatory implementation, process transformation, and system enhancements
• Represent Financial Aid in executive discussions, governance forums, and cross-functional initiatives
• Serve as the primary representative of Financial Aid in systemwide planning and decision-making efforts
• Partner with institutional and system leadership to align financial aid strategy with enrollment, retention, and financial sustainability goals
• Advise executive leadership on regulatory risk, policy interpretation, and strategic decision-making
• Ensure financial aid administration across all institutions complies with federal Title IV regulations, state requirements, and institutional policies
• Oversee systemwide readiness for audits, program reviews, and regulatory inquiries, in coordination with compliance leadership
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of regulatory requirements across institutions
• Partner with compliance leadership to implement new or revised regulatory requirements into operational practice
• Maintain oversight of policies, procedures, and controls to support institutional eligibility and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with Student Accounts, Registrar, Admissions, Institutional Research, Academics, and Information Technology to ensure alignment across the student financial services lifecycle
• Support coordination of financial aid with billing, disbursement, and academic activity to ensure accuracy and minimize student impact
• Contribute to systemwide initiatives related to financial literacy, student communications, and service delivery improvements
• Identify systemwide risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement through data analysis and performance monitoring
• Support implementation and optimization of financial aid systems and processes in partnership with IT and system leadership
• Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, and the overall student experience

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in financial aid administration
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, oversight, or system-level coordination of financial aid functions
• Experience managing regulatory compliance, audits, or program reviews
• Experience in a multi-campus or system-based environment strongly preferred
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal Title IV programs, regulations, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into operational strategy
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead through influence in a multi-institution, matrixed environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage high-risk, high-impact issues with sound judgment and urgency
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and executive presence.

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