Executive Director of Student Financial Services

Warner Pacific University•Portland, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Student Financial Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of financial aid administration and student accounts, ensuring the effective management and integrity of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The Executive Director supervises financial services staff and fosters a collaborative and student-centered environment throughout the financial aid and billing processes. In partnership with institutional leadership and campus colleagues, the Executive Director develops and implements financial aid leveraging strategies, policies, and awarding practices that align with the WPU’s enrollment and retention goals. This role works closely with admissions, finance, athletics, and other campus partners to ensure the strategic distribution of institutional aid, maintain regulatory compliance, and promote excellent customer service while supporting the WPU’s mission and commitment to student success.

Requirements

Minimum five to seven years of experience in financial aid or student financial services
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience in a higher education environment.
Demonstrated strategic and organizational agility with strong self-motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills, coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, students, faculty, staff, and internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, manage and motivate a diverse team, with effective leadership and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently.
Ability to provide overall direction and analysis for the Financial Aid computer systems and programs; recommend enhancements to existing systems/programs to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
Proven ability to interact with individuals regarding financial aid and student account challenges in a proactive and positive manner, ensuring that all parties are heard and feel respected in the process and lead a team that provides the same level of customer service.
Ability to multitask with accuracy and work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing highly detailed and confidential information and consistently meeting deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Bilingual – Spanish speaker preferred
Experience using the Ellucian Colleague administrative system
Experience in standard, non-standard and non-term financial aid delivery formats
Experience working with adult learners and traditional age learners

Responsibilities

Provide vision, leadership, and oversight for Student Financial Services, including Financial Aid and Student Accounts, by developing and managing strategic policies, procedures, and compliance practices that leverage the relationship between financial aid, athletics, and admissions to support institutional enrollment, retention goals, and exceptional student service.
Manage direct reports and provide support to management of staff in the Student Financial Services Department including recruitment and selection, training, staff development, evaluation, and feedback.
Serve as the Chief Compliance Officer for Title IV federal aid regulations, overseeing the verification of specific federal and/or state criteria, authorization of payment process, reconciliation with accounting office(s), and R2T4 in compliance with federal and state regulations and WPU policies, while utilizing industry’s best practices.
Oversee the administration of all student loan programs, including calculations of eligibility, origination of applications, entrance/exit interviews, and serve as liaison to outside agencies and ensure fiscal accountability in fund management, disbursement, and recovery by coordinating technology and information systems for effective administration of student, institutional, and outside funds.
Utilize net tuition revenue models to strategically package financial aid and collaborate with the Finance Office to manage financial performance, monitor awards against budget targets, and achieve institutional goals for gross revenue, discount rate, and net tuition revenue.
Assist in planning and implementing Student Account objectives while collaborating with WPU departments to ensure the timely and accurate processing of student account statements and supporting the management of outstanding balances and payment plans, including recommending administrative withdrawals for non-payment.
Manage the operational budget for the Student Financial Services Department.
Manage the preparation of materials for the annual audit and serve as departmental contact with the auditors.
In-depth knowledge of the Department of Education requirements to accurately import, download and troubleshoot student aid reports.
Demonstrate commitment to the WPU’s Christian liberal arts mission by upholding the institution’s Employment Standards and Lifestyle Agreement while fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that values diversity across national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, and abilities.