Director of Financial Aid

Ethical Culture Fieldston School•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS), a progressive PreK–12 independent school serving approximately 1,700 students across campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, is seeking a Director of Financial Aid. The Director is the primary contact for families throughout the financial aid process and an ambassador for the school’s commitment to access and affordability. The role implements financial aid policies and procedures and manages the distribution of awards in conjunction with the Financial Aid Committee. Reporting to the Chief Strategic Enrollment Officer, the Director manages the financial aid budget, oversees need assessment and award recommendations across both campuses, and uses data to inform policy, enrollment, and long-range planning. The position also serves as a staff resource to the Board of Trustees. This is an onsite role. The hiring range is $115,000–$125,000.

Requirements

Five or more years of progressive financial aid experience; independent-school experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Excellent time-management and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills, with empathy to guide families through difficult financial conversations.
Ability to address competing constituencies’ needs effectively and diplomatically.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
High degree of organization, resourcefulness, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to build financial models and analyze data to inform policy and budget decisions.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion and integrity.
Willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and procedures, and initiative to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Positive attitude, effective listening skills, and receptiveness to feedback.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently to meet project goals and team needs.
Proficiency in using and learning new technologies, including Google Workspace tools.
Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance.
Ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which community members feel valued and appreciated.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience working with Clarity, SSS, Finalsite, and Senior Systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and recommend financial aid strategies that advance access and align with enrollment goals, including yield, retention, and balance across divisions and campuses.
Partner with the Chief Strategic Enrollment Officer and Finance Office to model aid budgets, discount rates, and net tuition revenue scenarios; recommend the annual financial aid budget and contribute to long-range financial planning.
Serve as a staff resource to the Board of Trustees and its Finance Committee, preparing and presenting financial aid reports and trend analyses to the Board and senior leadership.
Lead financial aid reviews and need assessments for new and continuing families using established standards and guidelines, and recommend award amounts.
Serve as the primary contact for financial aid applicants and current families.
Schedule and lead Financial Aid Committee meetings and prepare and provide relevant materials and data.
Create and schedule financial aid information programs and materials for new and continuing families.
Manage financial aid systems and vendor relationships, including Clarity.
Evaluate appeals and recommend appropriate adjustments to award values.
Partner with Student Accounts and other departments to align tuition processes and implement financial aid policy.
Represent ECFS in ISAAGNY and other related peer networks.
Build and sustain trusting relationships with faculty, staff, parents and guardians, students, and other constituencies.
Motivate and inspire coworkers to achieve goals.
Perform other related projects and duties as assigned.