Director of Student Financial Services

Director of Student Financial Services
Saint Michael's College - Colchester, VT

About Saint Michael's College:
Saint Michael's College delivers a compelling, world-class education in a beautiful Vermont setting. Our connected community allows students to form close relationships with each other and accomplished faculty and staff members, providing an ideal learning environment where they have the space and support to challenge themselves and their peers. As a fully residential college located minutes from Burlington, one of the country's top-rated college towns, Saint Michael's offers an unparalleled mix of academic, spiritual, cultural, service and wilderness experiences. Saint Michael's is among the elite ranks of only 286 colleges and universities nationwide allowed to host a Phi Beta Kappa national honor society chapter on campus, while the U.S. News and World Report mentioned that "St. Michael's infuses its campus culture with a spirit of serving others," and "creates a feeling of camaraderie." The College is included in the Princeton Review's Best 384 Colleges, earning a spot on the Green College Honor Roll for demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability. Surrounded by the beautiful Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, and only 3.5 hours from Boston and 1.5 hours from Montreal, the area offers abundant recreational and cultural opportunities. 

Job Description:
Saint Michael's College has an upcoming opening for the Director of Student Financial Services. The Office of Student Financial Services is one of three offices that are included within the Division of Enrollment and Marketing. The Office of Student Financial Services assists applicants, students, families and graduates with all financial aspects of a St. Mike's education, provides excellent customer service and supports students and the College through process simplification, performance improvement and strong award management.

Under direction of the Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, the Director of Student Financial Services develops, manages and maintains financial aid and accounts receivable operations including quality assurance, development of policies and procedures, verification, award management, reporting, fiscal accountability, audit compliance, and consultation with external firms and vendors. This position plays a key collaborative leadership role in the strategic goals and mission of the division of Enrollment and Marketing and works closely with the Directors of Admissions, Enrollment Operations and Marketing to implement the enrollment and retention goals of the College. The position is "hands on" thus being a part of a collaborative team and actively participating as a coach developing staff, as well as meeting with students and parents/guardians and delivering financial aid presentations and information as part of admissions events.

Essential functions of the position include:

Hires, supports and develops office staff. Ensures that staff are cross-trained on all aspects of financial aid and accounts receivable policies and procedures.
Oversees all aspects of financial aid delivery for prospective and continuing undergraduates and graduate students (including FAFSA and award processing, development of awarding policies, review of verification documentation and professional judgment appeals, award notification delivery and disbursement).
Oversees student accounts receivable including maintenance of billing tables and implementation of College collection policies and procedures.
Reviews undergraduate and graduate financial aid application materials and awards appropriate aid and serves as primary contact for handling financial aid appeals.
Provides guidance to students and parents around all aspects of financing college and the financial aid process.
Gives presentations to groups, large and small, about financial aid policies and procedures at Saint Michael's College.
Manages data collection and completion of federal and institutional reports/surveys and provides internal reporting to meet operational and compliance needs
Oversees system management and set up, including oversight of communication management, departmental website, letter and email production. Automate and streamline administrative processes where appropriate.
Troubleshoots administrative software issues and serve as office lead for software implementation projects.
Performs electronic communications from the College to the federal government.
Participates in training sessions and reads to stay current on federal regulations and guidelines and oversee adherence to new and existing Title IV regulations.
Serves on College committees and attends meetings to stay current on administrative software and related FA issues on campus.
Serves as primary college representative for external vendors, external agencies and government offices, auditors, etc.
Maintains excellent working relationships with other College offices and departments
Maintains a positive and cooperative working relationship with members of the office and the campus community.
Actively participates in Enrollment Leadership Team, offering suggestions and ideas freely and openly.
Sees the value of cultural, ethnic, gender, and other individual differences in people and help create an environment of learning about, valuing, encouraging, and supporting differences.

Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), generous paid time off, employee and dependent tuition benefits, and discounted gym membership.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree
7-10 years of experience in student financial services including financial aid and account services.
An offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Additional Information:
Saint Michael's College, inspired by our Edmundite Catholic mission, is committed to diversity and inclusion across our campus community. We are committed to attracting and supporting faculty and staff that fully represent the racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of the nation, and we actively seek applications from underrepresented groups. Applicants are invited to include in their cover letter and other documents information about how they may contribute to our goal through their research, teaching and/or service.

The mission of the Education Programs at Saint Michael's College is to contribute to the intellectual, ethical, social, and spiritual development of individuals and culture, with an emphasis on creativity, curiosity, contemplation, collaboration, social justice, and sustainability.

Saint Michael's College is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity, in compliance with applicable provisions of state and federal law that prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or military service status, HIV-positive test result status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic, as such characteristics and prohibitions are defined by applicable law. The College will not rely inappropriately on such characteristics, or upon related stereotypes or biases, in making employment-related decisions. Also, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship or otherwise would not be required by applicable law, the College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, as well as any employee who is limited in her ability to perform the functions of her job because of pregnancy, childbirth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.