Executive Director of Financial Aid & Student Accounts

Hartwick College • Oneonta, NY

45d • $90,000 - $104,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts is responsible for leading a unified office that seamlessly integrates financial aid and student accounts operations, emphasizing a student-centered approach to service and customer experience. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Executive Director plays a critical role in developing strategies to optimize financial aid distribution, revenue management, and compliance, while supporting student recruitment and retention efforts. This position is a key member of the Enrollment Management Senior Leadership Team and collaborates closely with departments across the Division and the entire Hartwick College community.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements for this position are a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student accounts, or related areas, including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing integrated financial aid and student accounts operations.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as student billing and accounts management best practices.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with proficiency in Ellucian Colleague, Jenzabar or similar platforms.
• Proven ability to develop and implement policies and procedures that drive operational efficiency and student satisfaction.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse population of students, families, and colleagues.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service and enhancing the overall student experience.
• Ability to handle complex financial scenarios with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Experience in financial aid leveraging strategies, revenue optimization, and enrollment management practices.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to a diverse faculty, staff, student, and family population, including formal presentations.
• Ability to handle difficult situations and conversations and step in to assist staff in these circumstances.
• A demonstrated commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive community.
• Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills.

Nice To Haves

• A Master's Degree in higher education administration, business management, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of Ellucian Colleague, Jenzabar, and Technolutions Slate.
• Membership in professional organizations such as NASFAA or NYSFAA.
• Experience in admissions or recruiting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for a unified Financial Aid and Student Accounts office, promoting a culture that values the student experience and prioritizes outstanding customer service.
• Develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures that align with Hartwick's enrollment and financial goals, focusing on financial aid awarding, revenue optimization, and student account management.
• Manage all aspects of data and reporting within the Ellucian Colleague (and eventually Jenzabar) system, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Serve as the primary administrator responsible for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid compliance matters.
• As a representative of the College, expected to comport oneself in a professional manner, both on and off campus.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Enrollment Management, Finance, Athletics, Admissions, Student Affairs, and all other departments to support recruitment and retention of Hartwick students.
• Play a key role in the annual tuition pricing and financial aid optimization plan, providing insight and support to optimize both financial aid and revenue strategies.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and coordination between Financial Aid and Student Accounts functions.
• Work directly and independently with the Vice President for Finance and Operations to develop the institutional aid budget and monitoring of the tuition discount rate and on all other projects and requests as needed.
• Participate in key campus-wide events including but not limited to Admissions events, Commencement, True Blue Weekend, Honors Convocation, Student Showcase and Wick Week.
• Oversee the processing and issuance of financial aid awards, including scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of aid, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Supervise and guide the development of budgets and financial aid packaging strategies that align with Hartwick's goals for enrollment, discount rate management, and net tuition revenue.
• Prepare and submit all required reports and documentation, including but not limited to FISAP, IPEDS, NYSED, NCAA Division III reports, and a variety of reporting tasks associated with the annual Uniform Guidance audit.
• Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV funds financial aid processes.
• Lead efforts to enhance the student experience by providing clear, supportive, and personalized guidance on financial aid and billing processes.
• Develop proactive communication strategies to keep students and families informed and engaged throughout their financial journey at Hartwick. Work collaboratively with the Director of Business Systems and Operations to maximize Technolutions Slate as an engagement tool.
• Ensure that all student accounts operations are aligned with a service-oriented philosophy that prioritizes responsiveness, accuracy, and transparency.
• Supervise and support the professional development of the Financial Aid and Student Accounts team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge of best practices, compliance requirements, and emerging trends in financial aid and student accounts management.
• Attend professional conferences and workshops, including the FSA Annual Conference and the NCAA Rules Seminar.
• Leverage financial aid leveraging models and best practices to maximize the impact of institutional aid on recruitment and retention.
• Evaluate financial aid strategies regularly to optimize net tuition revenue and meet enrollment goals.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding the balance between need-based aid, merit aid, and other forms of financial assistance.
• Make recommendations related to impact of financial aid on student recruitment and retention, including administration of the appeal process for incoming and continuing students. Review all appeal requests and family situations that require professional judgement.

Benefits

• Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees