Director of Financial Aid and Debt Management

Director of Financial Aid and Debt Management Join to apply for the Director of Financial Aid and Debt Management role at University of Illinois Chicago 1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the Director of Financial Aid and Debt Management role at University of Illinois Chicago Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Hiring Department: College of Medicine Location: Chicago, IL USA Requisition ID: 1038485 Posting Close Date: 1/12/2026 Salary: The budgeted salary rate for the position is $100,000-115,000 About The University Of Illinois Chicago UIC is among the nations preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent Best Colleges rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago. This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Position Summary The Director of Financial Aid and Debt Management is a college-wide position. The Director provides strategic vision, leadership, and operational oversight of the institutions financial aid/debt management programs and outreach initiatives, and technology-driven financial aid service enhancements to support enrollment, retention, and medical and graduate student success. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while developing and implementing strategies that advance student access, affordability, and financial wellness. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and lead long-term strategic planning and implementation of strategies related to the cost of attendance for matriculating and continuing medical and graduate students to support enrollment, retention, and student success at the College of Medicine. Align financial aid and scholarship policies with institutional goals and compliance requirements. Lead initiatives to improve opportunity and access to financial options to fund students cost of attendance. Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on financial aid and scholarship policy and strategy. Create an advisory group consisting of stakeholder representatives. Provide strategic thinking that balances compliance with a student-centered approach. Lead teams, build partnerships, and achieve measurable results. Partner with the Offices of Admissions and GEMS to develop strategies that educate prospective students on the cost of attendance, federal loan limits, private loan needs, and credit requirements. Oversight and Supervision Supervise financial aid staff, fostering a culture of service and accountability. Oversee the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Conduct performance evaluations of financial aid staff. Oversee involvement of advancement, admissions, registrar, and other college departments to lead a collaborative team of staff to implement strategies. Manage budgets, allocations, and reporting for institutional aid programs. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations across all units. Guide professional development of staff for this strategy. Budget and Resource Management Allocate resources effectively to support institutional priorities. Monitor financial aid disbursements and ensure fiscal accountability. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of financial aid data. Policy Development and Compliance Develop institutional policies related to financial aid and outreach initiatives employing technology-driven and student-centered service enhancements. Serve as the primary liaison to university enrollment management leadership and the college representative to regulatory bodies (e.g., Department of Education). Ensure timely and accurate reporting of federal and state aid programs. Draft and update institutional policies to ensure compliance. Provide training and guidance to staff and campus stakeholders. Institutional Collaboration Collaborate with educational and student affairs, finance, GEMS and IR to support student lifecycle processes. Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to institutional planning. Serve as the College of Medicines financial aid representative at external meetings, professional associations, and policy forums to advance discussions on financial aid and debt management. Collaborate with other UIC health professional programs, (e.g., dentistry), to strengthen cross-program community, enhance student satisfaction, expand financial aid outreach, and introduce debt management strategies. Data analysis and reporting: use data to inform decision-making and improve student outcomes, oversee institutional research related to enrollment and financial aid trends, present findings to college leadership. Financial Aid Administration Direct the administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs totaling over $75 million annually. Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and maintain audit readiness. Oversee accurate awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation of funds. Manage the overall operations of the financial aid department. Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures. Review and process financial aid applications. Advise and counsel students on financial aid services. Collaborate with other departments and organizations to maximize financial aid opportunities for students. Prepare and present financial aid workshops and presentations. Develop strategies to minimize student borrowing and loan default. Implement financial literacy, credit management, and debt counseling programs for students. Analyze student borrowing trends and make data-driven recommendations. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of financial aid data. Prepare and manage the financial aid departments budget. Train and supervise financial aid staff. Stay abreast of changes in financial aid regulations and emerging trends in financial aid delivery. Outreach and Engagement Lead outreach efforts to prospective student populations. Engage in outreach and recruitment in collaboration with admissions and GEMS. Develop partnerships with high schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Coordinate financial literacy programs and workshops for prospective applicants and their families. Advise potential applicants and their parents about loans. Collaborate with other departments to align aid strategies with recruitment and retention goals. Innovation and Technology Implement and manage automated systems to streamline financial aid processes. Identify and deploy innovative solutions to enhance student experience and operational efficiency. Collaborate with IT and institutional research to improve data reporting and analytics. Develop new outreach and communication methods to enhance student understanding of financial aid and debt management. Ensure the financial aid website remains current, accurate, and student-centered by regularly updating content, refreshing videos, and positioning the site as a seamless extension of the financial aid office. Minimum Qualifications Masters degree required, preferably MBA or related field. Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in enrollment management or student services. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, team leadership, and budget management. Strong understanding of higher education trends, student development, and regulatory compliance. Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations (e.g., Title IV). Demonstrated success in implementing innovative practices and outreach initiatives. Proven leadership and supervisory experience. Strong communication, data analysis, and organizational skills. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices]]>