Director, Financial Aid

Director, Financial Aid

Enrollment Management

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid is one of three offices that are included in Student Financial Services. The Director of Financial Aid is also an active member of the management team in the Division of Student Success. The Office of Financial Aid strives to provide excellent customer service through process simplification, performance improvement and strong award management.

WHAT MAKES The Financial Aid Department A GREAT PLACE?

· A flexible work environment

· Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.

· A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.

· Professional development opportunity and mentorship

· A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO

Under direction of the Associate Vice President, Student Financial Services, the Director of Financial Aid develops, manages and maintains the day-to-day financial aid operations to include quality assurance, policies and procedures for verification, student employment, award management, reporting and fiscal accountability. This position plays a collaborative leadership role in the strategic goals and mission of the unit, providing leadership and direction to the Office of Financial Aid in support of Student Success initiatives.

Essential Duties

Administration, Management and Leadership (45%)

• Plans, creates and implements strategic and operational initiatives for the Office of Financial Aid, collaborating with academic units, enrollment services and other university departments, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services for undergraduate and graduate students.

• Provides leadership, direction and supervision for the development of a comprehensive student-centered and proactive culture providing enhanced services to students, families, public and university community partners.

• Develops and monitors processes and activities to ensure all Service Level Agreements are achieved.

• Designs process flows to ensure effective, efficient and timely completion of all tasks assigned to the Office of Financial Aid.

• Conducts and assist with the development of long-range and short-range goals required to achieve strategic outcomes.

• Delivers optimum service to all internal and external customers and provides necessary training and updates to ensure accurate communication.

• Serves as a representative of the University at state, regional and national organizations, boards, councils and committees as assigned.

Fiscal Management (10%)

• Allocates funding within the Banner system to ensure optimal packaging of financial aid for students.

• Oversees monthly reconciliation to ensure university student information systems data is consistent with external funding systems

• Administers Title IV, State and Institutional Aid programs to optimize funding available to students.

• Oversees the annual closeout of Direct Loans, Pell TEACH, Hope, Scholarship and other funding sources.

• Collects, validates and reports data through the FISAP.

• Ensure Campus-Based funds are received and disbursed in accordance with regulations.

Compliance and Quality Management (10%)

• Provides guidance and oversees testing for annual updates to processing.

• Collaborates with other departments to identify and deliver training for the team.

• Responsible for coordinating the annual review and updates of all areas related to preparation for verification processing and aid delivery for the next aid year.

• Responsible for keeping abreast of new federal and state initiatives and making recommendations regarding implementation; maintain auditable records of aid awards, aid adjustments, appeals requests and documentation, in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Training, Development and Performance Improvement (10%)

• In collaboration with Student Financial Services leadership, develops, maintains and implements department policies and procedures.

• Plans, evaluates and develops department long-term and short-term goals, and develops objectives and activities based on these goals.

• Ensures performance coaching and employee development programs are active and beneficial, resulting in continuous performance improvement

• Assists in providing training and support to assigned staff and ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, strengthen weaknesses and build new capabilities.

Collaboration and Teamwork (15%)

• Serves as a Strategic Partner to the Student Financial Management Center, Student Accounts, Admissions and Academic Advising.

• Represents the department and serves on various department and university committees.

• Provides support to the Student Financial Management Center team in the regular review and update of policies and procedures, correspondence, forms, web and knowledgebase articles.

• Participates actively in Student Success initiatives.

• Oversees and participates in the hiring, training, supervising and evaluation of assigned staff.

• Serves as liaison for Financial Aid with Student Success leadership, Georgia State University stakeholders, and state and federal financial aid agencies.

System and Data Management (10%)

• Provides guidance, support and reporting to AVP Student Financial Services.

• Ensures data-reporting to university, state and federal entities is accurate and timely.

• Reviews electronic processing activities, rules and procedures to ensure accurate operations.

• Recommends changes to electronic processing activities, rules and procedures to ensure efficient and compliant processing.

• Ensures data protection protocols and processes are implemented to safeguard information and maintain its accuracy.

• Collaborate with Systems Development team and University Technology Office to assist with testing, implementation, maintenance and enhancements on a regular basis.

Minimum Hiring Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a related field and six years of supervisory/management experience; or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices pertaining to the assigned areas and five (5) years of progressively responsible financial aid experience in a post-secondary institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of university, foundation, and/or federal student financial aid programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget management methods and techniques as well as strategic planning principles and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles, concepts, and practices of operational management and process improvement.
• Experience in planning, analyzing, and coordinating activities and establishing priorities.
• Experience in building effective teams to ensure customer service standards are met and assigned goals and objectives are reached.
• Experience in program design and development.
• Experience in budget preparation and forecasting.
• Experience in Banner, Banner Workflow, and Salesforce.
• Experience using technology and data to improve processes.