Director, Financial Aid Strategy and Pathways, Salt Lake City, UT
About The Position
The Director of Financial Aid Strategy and Pathways is responsible for leading university-wide strategic initiatives related to financial aid delivery, serving as the primary liaison between the Financial Aid department and cross-functional partners for complex, high-visibility projects such as Prison Education Programs (PEP), Workforce Pell, First Year Experience (FYE), and other emerging pathways and initiatives. This position provides leadership for the consolidated Financial Aid Training and Quality Assurance team, ensuring high-impact onboarding, continuous training, policy and system updates, and a robust quality assurance program supporting both Financial Aid and Financial Services. The Director champions innovative solutions that drive regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and a student-centered experience across the learner journey.
Requirements
- In-depth knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Experience leading complex strategic initiatives involving multiple departments, timelines, and technical systems.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to interpret complex data and drive decisions aligned to business goals.
- Excellent communication and influence skills; ability to present complex information clearly, in multiple formats, and gain executive alignment.
- Proven ability to develop best-in-class training and quality programs for large-scale, distributed teams.
- Knowledge of Student Information Systems (Banner), CRM systems (Salesforce), and document imaging systems (OnBase).
- Well organized and attentive to detail; strong judgment and decision-making ability.
- Ability to lead through change, influencing without direct authority and building consensus across divergent interests.
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- 10 years’ experience in student financial aid programs, including experience with training, quality, or major Title IV project implementation.
- 5 years’ experience responsible for direct supervision of staff members.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex projects across multiple departments.
- Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
- Experience writing and implementing policies and procedures.
- Experience with Financial Aid Management Systems
Nice To Haves
- Master’s Degree.
- Experience using Banner preferred.
- Experience implementing specialized access programs (PEP, Workforce Pell, etc.).
- Experience leading centralized training and quality organizations across large, distributed environments.
- Experience working in competency-based or nonstandard academic models.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Aid Leadership & University-Wide Coordination
- Training Strategy & Delivery
- Quality Assurance Leadership
- Strategic Leadership & Reporting
- Leadership & Talent Management
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Benefits
- medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
- health savings account and flexible spending account
- basic and voluntary life insurance
- disability coverage
- accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
- legal and identity theft coverage
- retirement savings plan
- wellbeing program
- discounted WGU tuition
- flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
- flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
- 11 paid holidays
- other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
