Associate Director, Financial Aid, Systems and Operations - Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University•Bristol, RI

50d

About The Position

The Associate Director of Financial Aid, Systems and Operations is responsible for the administration of a complex financial aid program, with a primary focus on the day-to-day oversight and management of the PowerFAIDS and Colleague financial aid module, funding and application accounting. Develop efficient systems, manage workload to assure the needs of each student are met in a timely fashion, and assure exceptional customer service to current and prospective RWU families and students. Financial Aid Program Awards Develop a compliant disbursement plan in conjunction with the University's Graduate and Undergraduate, Continuing Studies, and School of Law Enrollment goals. Manage a caseload of students. Interview and counsel students and parents regarding financial aid programs. Make recommendations and referrals to other institutional personnel such as Admissions. Perform needs analysis on student applications and construct financial aid packages and authorize program disbursements. Interface with guidance counselors and community service organizations to provide timely and accurate flow of financial aid information to potential applicants. Award endowed scholarship funds under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and the Development Office of the School of Law. Review financial aid appeals regarding loans and has the authority to make changes to award amounts within limits set forth by the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. Policy and Program Administration Formulate, implement, review and evaluate policies, procedures and standards to ensure departmental compliance with Financial Aid guidelines and objectives. Interface with other appropriate institutional departments to coordinate programs, services and policies. Administer and conduct ongoing statistical reviews and reconciliation of all financial aid programs including Student Employment, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Institutional Scholarships, Federal Direct Loans and any other source of funds for student assistance. Forecast spending trends and make appropriate recommendations to modify spending rates according to budget allocations. Assist in preparation of department operating budgets, statistical reports and evaluations and complex funding applications. Assist the Information Technology Department with the implementation, modification and/or refinement of the applicable data processing system. Maintain day-to-day responsibility for the Colleague Financial Aid module, overseeing all systems processing. Write and update rules, populate selections, and other functional/technical aspects of the system. Train Financial Aid and other related RWU staff to understand and use the Colleague system, prepare and process requests for timely and accurate record keeping. Trouble shoot problems as they arise and recommend and carry out appropriate recommendations. Participate in ongoing development and maintenance of department policy, procedure and processing manuals. Ensure that the department maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state and institutional rules and regulations. Collaborate with other University departments and external organizations to provide seamless delivery of service to students and alumni. Maintain expertise in the ongoing development and maintenance of the department policy, procedure and processing manuals. Ensure that the department maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state and institutional rules and regulations. Staff Management Select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate assigned staff. Events and Outreach Assist with and participate in on-campus events that require financial expertise, this includes, but is not limited to Accepted Students Days, Orientations, Open Houses, student recruitment events for graduate and undergraduate programs. Prepare materials and present information under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. Maintain current information on the department website. Additional Functions Participate in department meetings and committees as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance or a related field.
Five to seven years of administrative Financial Aid experience.
Minimum of two years supervisory experience.
Proficient in the use of automated, Financial Aid systems with expertise in both PowerFAIDS and the Colleague Financial Aid module as a ?super-user?
Experience with COD and NSLDS.
Expert, proven knowledge of policies, regulations and practices for awarding financial aid.
Strong background in compliance administration, including internal and federal audits.
Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation with the ability to convey and obtain information amongst a variety of audiences such as students, parents, alumni and staff.
Strong organizational and planning skills, attention to detail, problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced university environment.
Ability to assess processes, recommend and implement improvements.
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Must be able to travel locally and as required, outside of Rhode Island.
Ability to work nights and/or weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Educational Administration, Student Personnel or Business Administration.
A working knowledge of financial aid software, such as PowerFaids and University's Enterprise Resource Planning System.
At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Responsibilities

Develop a compliant disbursement plan in conjunction with the University's Graduate and Undergraduate, Continuing Studies, and School of Law Enrollment goals.
Manage a caseload of students.
Interview and counsel students and parents regarding financial aid programs.
Make recommendations and referrals to other institutional personnel such as Admissions.
Perform needs analysis on student applications and construct financial aid packages and authorize program disbursements.
Interface with guidance counselors and community service organizations to provide timely and accurate flow of financial aid information to potential applicants.
Award endowed scholarship funds under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and the Development Office of the School of Law.
Review financial aid appeals regarding loans and has the authority to make changes to award amounts within limits set forth by the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management.
Formulate, implement, review and evaluate policies, procedures and standards to ensure departmental compliance with Financial Aid guidelines and objectives.
Interface with other appropriate institutional departments to coordinate programs, services and policies.
Administer and conduct ongoing statistical reviews and reconciliation of all financial aid programs including Student Employment, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Institutional Scholarships, Federal Direct Loans and any other source of funds for student assistance.
Forecast spending trends and make appropriate recommendations to modify spending rates according to budget allocations.
Assist in preparation of department operating budgets, statistical reports and evaluations and complex funding applications.
Assist the Information Technology Department with the implementation, modification and/or refinement of the applicable data processing system.
Maintain day-to-day responsibility for the Colleague Financial Aid module, overseeing all systems processing.
Write and update rules, populate selections, and other functional/technical aspects of the system.
Train Financial Aid and other related RWU staff to understand and use the Colleague system, prepare and process requests for timely and accurate record keeping.
Trouble shoot problems as they arise and recommend and carry out appropriate recommendations.
Participate in ongoing development and maintenance of department policy, procedure and processing manuals.
Ensure that the department maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state and institutional rules and regulations.
Collaborate with other University departments and external organizations to provide seamless delivery of service to students and alumni.
Maintain expertise in the ongoing development and maintenance of the department policy, procedure and processing manuals.
Ensure that the department maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state and institutional rules and regulations.
Select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate assigned staff.
Assist with and participate in on-campus events that require financial expertise, this includes, but is not limited to Accepted Students Days, Orientations, Open Houses, student recruitment events for graduate and undergraduate programs.
Prepare materials and present information under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. Maintain current information on the department website.
Participate in department meetings and committees as assigned.