Director, Financial Aid

Dominican University Of California•San Rafael, CA

About The Position

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing and oversees the Financial Aid department’s daily operations, ensuring high-quality customer service and compliance with state and federal regulations. The role leads staff, coordinates system updates, oversees financial aid processing and data submissions, manages audits, and provides policy interpretation and communication leadership. The Director collaborates with the VP on undergraduate and graduate financial aid budget oversight and technological advancements, maintains university financial aid policies, and participates in leadership duties. The position ensures that federal, state, and institutional grant and loan programs comply with applicable regulations and supports audit compliance with the University’s Federal Compliance Single Audit A-133. The role requires effective working relationships in a diverse, multicultural environment. The successful candidate will support students and families, including traditional and professional adult students, and demonstrate a commitment to service, community, and diversity. The position is open until filled and requires consent to a background check. Employees may not be in default of Title IV loans.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least six years of financial aid management experience demonstrating increasing responsibility.
At least five years of multi-tiered staff supervision in a service environment.
Demonstrated experience working in financial aid or a highly regulated industry or environment.
Demonstrated experience independently coordinating long-term projects from implementation to completion.
Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations, or experience in a highly regulated financial industry.
PC proficiency, including database management experience.
Knowledge and experience with student information systems and data processing.
Knowledge of data management and optimization principles, tuition leveraging strategies, change management, and performance management.
Knowledge of regulatory compliance principles and practices and administrative procedures and practices.
People leadership and supervision skills, independent decision-making, and budget and resource management skills.
Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently with changing priorities in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication skills and ability to resolve a wide range of issues.
Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Colleague, and other systems and software.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and to apply analytical and critical thinking skills.
Ability to interpret complex institutional, state, and federal regulations and exercise independent judgment.
Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and parents from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to manage confidential information.
Commitment to supporting traditional and professional adult students and their families, and to service, community, and diversity.
Must not be in default of Title IV loans.
Must consent to a background check.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
At least three years of primary responsibility for FISAP and other regulatory compliance reporting preferred.
Knowledge of the CSS IM calculation.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and Google Mail applications.
Experience with Colleague student information system.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Financial Aid department’s daily operations and ensure high-quality customer service.
Manage and supervise financial aid staff.
Coordinate system updates and oversee financial aid processing and data submissions.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations for grant and loan programs.
Manage audits and support compliance with the University’s Federal Compliance Single Audit A-133.
Interpret financial aid policies and regulations and lead related communications.
Collaborate with the VP on undergraduate and graduate financial aid budget oversight and technological advancements.
Maintain university financial aid policies and participate in leadership duties.
Coordinate long-term projects from implementation through completion.
Resolve issues raised by students, parents, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
Prepare accurate reports and results and manage confidential information.