Associate Director of Compliance and Operations (Financial Aid Manager)

City University of New York • Bronx, NY

33d • $80,211 - $90,838 • Onsite

About The Position

The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest public urban university system, is seeking a passionate and dedicated Associate Director to join the Financial Aid team at Hostos Community College. The mission of Hostos is to offer access to higher education leading to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility through the development of linguistic, mathematical, technological, and critical thinking proficiencies needed for lifelong learning and for educational and career success. The Office of Financial Aid at Hostos Community College carries out this mission by eliminating financial barriers for access to higher education and delivering a transparent understanding of financial aid programs, options and eligibility with strict adherence to city, state, and federal student aid regulations. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the successful candidate will serve as an Associate Director who works in partnership with the Financial Aid Office management team. The Associate Director will also serve as a dedicated backup, stepping in to support other program areas as needed and will be responsible for the following duties, in addition to the CUNY Title Overview:

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and understanding of financial aid compliance, operations and best practices
• Knowledge of the CUNYfirst system or equivalent CRM/SIS systems
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to handle multiple tasks to prioritize and to work independently
• Possess the character and ability to work collaboratively with diverse student populations and community partners
• A demonstrated track record of success in team leadership and managing financial aid programs
• Commitment to social justice and addressing economic disparities in education
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral to effectively communicate and train all employee levels within the University
• Strong analytical, research, and technical skills to evaluate and use data in planning and decision making
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, Forms, Teams, Access and PowerPoint and demonstrated ability to learn and apply other software applications, as needed
• Ability to produce results as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment
• Availability to work weekend and evenings when required

Responsibilities

• Ensures adherence to federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures; leads internal/external audits, troubleshoots compliance issues, and ensures Title IV and NY State financial aid program adherence; supports College staff in implementing and maintaining compliance with federal and state financial aid requirements.
• Leads financial aid system operations (CUNYfirst/PeopleSoft), resolving system-related issues; Serves as the primary liaison for Hostos IT Department, CUNY Central Office of Student Financial Assistance & Computer Information Systems (CIS) to ensure system efficiency; analyzes financial aid data, resolves discrepancies, and develops strategic solutions; ensures that proper security roles and system access for staff for both CUNYfirst and various federal, state and institutional financial aid processing systems.
• Reviews policies, interprets regulations, and provides guidance on compliance matters; Ensures accuracy of financial aid-related content across websites, publications, and student notifications; works with campus offices to address and correct compliance issues.
• Oversees and manages the day-to-day operations and staffing of the Financial Aid Office. Responsible for ensuring that staff provide high quality customer service including expert guidance and counseling to students and their families on all aspects of financial aid, from application and award to disbursements, appeals (including special circumstances, professional judgments).
• Develops and implements a robust financial aid-related system for data collection & analyses and weekly reporting via strong working knowledge and understanding of PeopleSoft or CUNYfirst web-based navigation and writing extensive reports via SQL and/or PS Query.
• Conducts ongoing monitoring of critical regulatory requirements and certifications, including for purposes of the Federal Student Aid Program Participation Agreement.
• Facilitates and participates in College & University orientations, workshops, information sessions and other campus open houses as required; represents the Director at internal and external meetings, committees, workshops, etc.; some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Essential duties require in-person work on campus.
• Plans, develops and implements financial aid policies and processes in accordance with Federal, State and University standards.
• Manages financial aid activities and represents the office at on-campus and off-campus meetings and forums
• Manages day-to day administrative and systems operations for optimal efficiency and customer service; manages special processes such as Return of Title IV Aid
• Provides comprehensive financial counseling to parents and students
• Implements all necessary processes to support financial aid application, awarding and delivery cycles
• Oversees the coordination of financial aid activities with those of other College and University offices
• Implements and maintains web based services
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.
• We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.
• Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees