Director of Financial Aid

Location

Manhattan, KS | United States

Job description

Description

Manhattan College is seeking a dedicated and experienced Director of Financial Aid to lead the Office of Financial Aid, a central administrative student services department. As a senior administrator, the Director represents the College in matters associated with all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, and is responsible for the supervision, direction, policy, and budget development and compliance of all aid programs including student employment and veteran benefits. The Director reports to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and works closely with the Vice President of Finance/CFO

The Office of Financial Aid is integral to Manhattan’s mission to support diverse students and their families with specialized knowledge and counseling, guidance and insights regarding financial aid application processes and award offers, financing options, and overall student financial and advising/support services. The Director of Financial Aid is a cross-campus collaborator and a financial steward who focuses on providing the highest professional and ethical standards of integrated client service while advancing the value proposition of a Manhattan College education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Constructs, manages and executes the plan for developing financial aid strategies as a comprehensive tool to meet enrollment, retention, and finance goals. Performs high-level data analysis, developing and implementing financial aid strategies and action plans to ensure effective packaging, marketing, and communication outreach. In collaboration with College leadership and in compliance with federal and state regulations, develop robust strategies to increase the financial literacy of Manhattan College students and families.
• Regularly reports out on institutional financial aid awarding and processing. In collaboration with the CFO and Vice President of Enrollment Management, uses predictive modeling to develop aid awarding hierarchies and strategies.
• Oversees the successful review, awarding, auto-packaging, rule writing, testing, and data integrity checks for the disbursement of all federal, state, and institutional aid including federal work-study, campus employment, and loans via the Ellucian Banner financial aid module. Leverages technology to ensure timely processing and compliance. Holds the ultimate responsibility for the effective use of the Banner Financial Aid, ensuring that all modules related to student financial services, including Slate Technolutions and student employment payroll systems are working effectively and efficiently.
• Provides day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and coordination in alignment with a one-stop services approach; delivers collaborative services to students and families with maximum care and superior service. Ensures student satisfaction in all aspects of the administration of financial aid, and uses professional judgment in resolving issues regarding financial aid decisions and procedures within established guidelines.
• Supervises professional staff and determines work priorities, training needs, task delegation, goal setting, and evaluates work performance in various areas of financial aid including eligibility, awarding, verification, loan processing, SAP standards, professional judgment processing, and administration of all aid programs. Responsible for mentoring and creating professional development opportunities in order to provide staff with progressive experience in the financial aid and student service industry.
• Counsels students and their families throughout the degree life cycle, from the point of inquiry to post-graduation financial advising including debt management, loan repayment, financial literacy, and navigating regulatory guidelines. Works with enrolled students to maximize understanding of aid policies and procedures and performs ongoing outreach to aid recipients and their families to promote the various student-financing options.
• Implements, develops, and revises as necessary policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all Federal and New York State laws and regulations, Return to Title IV Aid, Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, Veteran benefits and NCAA Division I awards. Responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of college policies as they relate to financial and institutional aid and to consumer information requirements under the HEOA.
• Fosters a data-driven and analytical office environment where key performance indicators integrate into all aspects of process, resource decisions, and evaluations of service delivery. Collaborates with other campus leaders to develop innovative strategies to deliver student financial services as part of overall enrollment, revenue, and strategic goals and objectives.
• Provides data for completion of federal, state, and institutional reports, annual audits and program reviews; completes annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Common Data Set, NYSED, IPEDS, and NCAA Division I reports, and publishes the College’s Net Price Calculator. Manages transmittals, communications, disbursements, and data exchange with COD and Direct Loans, ELMOne, NYS HESC, WTC Certification, VA-Once, and Fundriver endowment management software.
• Ensures a high level of professional competence in best practices and compliance in financial aid, institutional, and Title IV program assessment. Maintains expert knowledge of all federal, state, and institutional regulations by following all changes, reading necessary publications, participating in webinars, and networking with professional contacts.

Leadership Qualities and Characteristics:

• A strategic and innovative thinker
• Commitment to support, respect, and empower the contributions of management and staff, and respect for the broad-ranging needs of a diverse population
• A team builder who can foster, engage and collaborate, as well as share knowledge effectively across divisional structures; expertise in the use of data analytics
• A strong communicator (verbal and written) with critical thinking skills, combined with the proven ability to move ideas forward in a collaborative manner
• An approachable, inclusive, and visible leader who values extaordinary customer service

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible and successful leadership in financial aid administration, including experience with data management, predictive modeling, and aid integration with the admissions process;,at least 2 years in a supervisory position
• Expert knowledge of Title IV Federal Student Aid and NYS regulations, and ability to analyze financial aid operations regarding program compliance and system support. Expertise with U.S. Department of Education Systems (COD; NSLDS; EDconnect; SAIG) and high-level understanding of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations
• Proven record of financial analysis and planning, including financial aid leveraging
• Strong database skills, including advanced experience with Excel and MS Office Suite
• Excellent interpersonal, technical, and training skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree
• Experience with Ellucian Banner and Slate Technolutions

In support of recruitment and yield goals, some nights and weekends may be required.

Salary: 110K - 125K

Manhattan College is an independent Catholic coeducational institution in the Lasallian tradition. We expect our faculty, administration, and staff to be knowledgeable about our mission and positively contribute. Applicants from historically under-represented segments of the population are encouraged to apply, as well as those attracted to a college with a Catholic identity. We are committed to a diverse campus community. AA/EO Employer M/F/D/V

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