Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations

University of Dayton•Dayton, OH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Financial Aid Department and help create a seamless, student-centered experience by advancing innovative processes, leveraging technology, and delivering the support students need to achieve their educational goals. As the Associate Director you are responsible for maintaining financial aid training materials and leading staff training to ensure timely and accurate awarding of financial aid to students. This is a benefit eligible position offering a comprehensive benefits package. Apply today! As a Catholic, Marianist research University, we are a diverse community committed to educating the whole person and linking learning and scholarship with leadership and service. Enrollment Management is focused on service excellence to recruit, enroll and graduate highly qualified students and improve access, affordability, diversity, inclusion and success. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid Operations and Compliance, the Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations provides technical leadership and support to manage the day to day operations within the Financial Aid Office. This individual devises innovative approaches to financial aid procedures and spearheads process improvements to align with University directives and enhance student experiences. The Associate Director serves as a key member of the Financial Aid Operations team and will collaborate with staff throughout the office, division and university to drive continuous improvement. The Associate Director is responsible for maintaining financial aid training materials and leading staff training to ensure timely and accurate awarding of financial aid to students. This staff member utilizes various tools to create communications for students and parents based on business needs and is responsible for the review of Financial Aid Offers in close collaboration with the Enrollment Management Communication Center (EMCC). This person manages automated processes for day-to-day financial aid work and works closely with UDIT to develop and maintain these. Additionally, this person has oversight of the Federal Work Study reconciliation, Federal Direct Loan and grant programs, and monitors aid awarding and disbursements to mitigate compliance risk. The Associate Director works closely with operations staff and external partners to manage electronic loan files sent from private lenders and ensures accurate and timely disbursements through proactive review of student records. The role requires a high degree of collaboration, and problem solving on a daily basis. The successful Associate Director works systematically to ensure that all technical opportunities available to the office are fully leveraged. As Associate Director, this position will develop the skills and knowledge of their team and drive an exceptional organizational culture. This individual provides leadership for various financial aid operations including packaging, loan and grant processing, and department communications. As a Catholic, Marianist University, we believe that diversity, and inclusion are essential to the success of students and staff. The Associate Director will work individually and as a member of a team to make tangible contributions to UD’s mission. All employees are empowered to attend workshops, seminars, and other educational experiences to deepen their understanding of our mission and strategic priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree OR five years experience working in financial aid with progressive growth in responsibilities
3 years’ professional experience within Financial Aid, including a one-stop office with a focus on financial aid service
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail
Knowledge of student Financial Aid laws and regulations internal controls, compliance and audit concepts
Ability to successfully improve and streamline processes
Experience simultaneously managing multiple projects and bringing them to successful completion
Ability to provide leadership as a collaborative team member

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Higher Education or Business is preferred
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and effectively partner to drive process improvement
5 years’ experience in financial aid office with demonstration of progressive leadership responsibilities
Supervisory experience including a demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities and leverage skills across a team
Enrollment Management or Higher Education experience at a private University
Experience with Ellucian Banner, Cognos, HTML, Automic and Salesforce CRM environment
Ability to handle various assignments at once and work in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated approach to work with adaptability and a desire to learn
Understanding of Banner data fields for reporting needs
Strong customer-oriented approach and the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituencies
Demonstrated ability to perform at high level of efficiency
Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions for student policy and team priorities
Ability to work with staff, students and families in a manner consistent with Catholic and Marianist values and principles
Ability to promote inclusive excellence in the workplace

Responsibilities

Maintaining financial aid training materials and leading staff training to ensure timely and accurate awarding of financial aid to students.
Utilizing various tools to create communications for students and parents based on business needs.
Review of Financial Aid Offers in close collaboration with the Enrollment Management Communication Center (EMCC).
Managing automated processes for day-to-day financial aid work and working closely with UDIT to develop and maintain these.
Oversight of the Federal Work Study reconciliation, Federal Direct Loan and grant programs.
Monitoring aid awarding and disbursements to mitigate compliance risk.
Working closely with operations staff and external partners to manage electronic loan files sent from private lenders and ensuring accurate and timely disbursements through proactive review of student records.
Developing the skills and knowledge of their team and driving an exceptional organizational culture.
Providing leadership for various financial aid operations including packaging, loan and grant processing, and department communications.