Director of Financial Aid - Whitman College
About The Position
Whitman College is recruiting a Director of Financial Aid to lead its Financial Aid Office in Walla Walla, Washington. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, the Director serves as a strategic partner in advancing enrollment, retention, and student success goals. The role oversees federal, state, and institutional aid programs and helps translate the College’s commitments to access and affordability into meaningful opportunities for students and families. As Whitman expands its financial aid commitments and responds to a complex regulatory landscape, the Director will help strengthen financial aid strategy, modernize systems and processes, and improve the student experience. The role offers the opportunity to influence institutional financial aid policy, develop a collaborative and innovative team, and support students’ ability to access and complete a Whitman education. Whitman College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution in Walla Walla, Washington. Its affordability initiatives include the 10% Promise, which caps tuition at 10% of family income for eligible families, and a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students beginning in fall 2026. The position is primarily campus-based, with the option of up to 20% hybrid work per week. Occasional evening and weekend commitments are expected during recruitment events and peak financial aid processing periods; flexible scheduling is available when those commitments are extensive.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in financial aid or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
- Experience administering complex financial aid programs and applying financial aid strategy to support enrollment, access, and student success objectives.
- Comprehensive knowledge of federal student aid programs, including applications, processing, disbursement, regulatory requirements, and institutional responsibilities.
- Experience using financial aid leveraging and awarding strategies to advance institutional enrollment and retention goals.
- Demonstrated leadership and personnel management skills, including the ability to develop staff, foster collaboration, and manage competing priorities.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, lead organizational change, and respond effectively to evolving regulations, technologies, and student needs.
- Experience using data, technology, and assessment to strengthen services and outcomes.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with accuracy, flexibility, and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial aid information to diverse audiences.
- Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to explore new approaches to supporting students and advancing institutional goals.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and creating an environment where students from diverse backgrounds can thrive.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with institutional methodology and the CSS Profile.
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague, PowerFAIDS, Technolutions Slate, and/or comparable financial aid and enrollment management systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Financial Aid Office and oversee federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
- Advance enrollment, retention, and student success goals through financial aid strategy and partnership.
- Administer complex financial aid programs and use leveraging and awarding strategies to support institutional goals.
- Lead, develop, and support staff, foster collaboration, and manage competing priorities.
- Ensure regulatory compliance and oversee reporting responsibilities.
- Advocate for students and support student retention through equitable, student-centered financial aid practices.
- Strengthen services and outcomes through continuous improvement, data, technology, assessment, and modernized systems and processes.
- Help the College respond to evolving regulations, technologies, and student needs.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance is available.
- Up to 20% hybrid work per week.
- Flexible scheduling is available when occasional evening and weekend commitments are extensive.
- Employee benefits designed to support personal well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
