Director, Financial Aid Operations
Santa Fe College

Job Info

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The Director, Financial Aid Operations is responsible for the efficient administration of highly regulated federal, state, and institutional aid programs, with emphasis on Financial Aid operations. The Director cultivates collaboration, knowledge-sharing and compliant best practices within the Financial Aid office. The Director supports the Senior Director, ensuring effective implementation of compliant aid policies and procedures.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Supervises and guides the Financial Aid Office, completes annual performance evaluations of direct reports, and oversees all operations and processing to ensure proper disbursements of federal, state, and agency funds.
• Analyzes compliance regulations and stays abreast of Financial Aid changes to pertinent legislation and other regulations.
• Collaborates with the Associate Director to compile information for operations reports and delivers regular performance reports on Financial Aid operations activities.
• Works with the Associate Director on training sessions for stakeholders on financial aid policies and procedures and adheres to the regulatory guidelines of areas such as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Professional Judgement, and Dependency Override processes.
• Assists the Senior Director with analysis, preparation, and compilation of information for financial aid audits.
• Collaborates with the Senior Director in the development of institutional policies and procedures and ensures the development of inner-office policies, practices, and training.
• Assists the Senior Director with departmental-level recommendations for identifying, monitoring, and mitigating risks related to financial aid, including potential fraud and non-compliance issues.
• Works with appropriate college personnel (college legal counsel, SFPD, etc.) to resolve disputes, claims, or charges in which the financial aid department may have an interest.
• Implements high-quality service excellence for students and families, ensuring department resolution of escalated issues and guidance for financial aid processes.
• Provides up to date, accurate and complete information to students and parents as needed during peak seasons and for college partners as requested.
• Strictly honors the privacy and security of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Financial Aid administrator's professional code of conduct.
• Serves on division and college-wide committees.
• Provides service through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Senior Director, Financial Aid

Qualifications:

Required: A bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field with four (4) years of related experience or a combination of education and experience equal to eight (8) years.
Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.
Preferred: Master's degree in a related field. Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal regulations. Experience working in Public Higher Education. NASFAA subject matter credentials and NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator.

General Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Communication: Able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Team Orientation & Interpersonal: Highly motivated team player with the ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• Multicultural: Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
• Organization & Time Management: Able to plan, schedule, organize, and follow up on tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
• Adaptability to Change: Able to be flexible and supportive in order to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environments.
• Relationship Management: Able to personally provide a high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Systems & Software: Proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Leadership: Has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial, high-energy, driven, hands-on leader; possesses expertise in selecting, training, developing, coaching, mentoring, and retaining a highly motivated workforce.
• Customer Service: Provide service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Ethics: Able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

Application Process: All applicants must submit a completed online application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.

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