Director, Student Aid Operations

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

22h•$95,000 - $125,000

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the AVP, Student Financial Services, the Director of Student Aid Operations leads the SFS Operations team and oversees all operational, data, and technical processes. Sitting at the vital intersection of financial aid administration and systems engineering, you will optimize software tools, lead packaging automation, drive federal compliance, and ensure dependable aid delivery across all learning environments. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
5–7 years of progressive financial aid experience with proven managerial leadership in a fast-paced higher education environment.
Deep technical expertise in student information systems, specifically PowerFAIDS, alongside a strong mastery of federal financial aid processing systems.
Comprehensive understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations, audit procedures, and reporting mandates (FISAP, CDS).
Outstanding analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with a collaborative mindset and an ability to think holistically about process optimization.

Responsibilities

Oversee and improve automation, financial aid notifications, and awarding workflows in PowerFAIDS to ensure students receive timely aid packages well before billing deadlines.
Oversee systems integrations between Salesforce and Workday to PowerFAIDS.
Continuously evaluate SFS technology needs, assess business process requirements, and implement system upgrades to maximize automation and communication flows.
Direct records management, data security, and QA initiatives.
Oversee required state, federal, and institutional reports (e.g., FISAP, ACTS, CDS).
Monitor federal and state aid expenditures, track federal matching requirements, and partner with Finance to execute regular drawdown schedules.
Serve as the primary institutional contact for the annual Uniform Guidance Audit, as well as federal and state regulatory reviews.
Monitor changing federal and state regulations, translating updates into operational policies and keeping SFS staff fully trained.
Lead, mentor, and evaluate the SFS Operations unit in a high-volume, dynamic environment.
Work closely with the One Stop, Student Success Advising, Finance, and Student Accounts to eliminate financial barriers and deliver seamless student service.