Financial Aid Manager, Operations and Compliance

Professional Career•Chicago, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Manager, Operations & Compliance, leads the daily operations of Moody Bible Institute’s Financial Aid Office. The role oversees staff development, service delivery, financial aid processing, regulatory compliance, and audit coordination, ensuring compliance with Title IV, state, veterans, and institutional aid requirements. The manager supports an exceptional student experience through accurate aid administration, accountability, and student-centered service. This position supervises and develops the financial aid counseling team; oversees awarding, packaging, disbursements, appeals, verification, and professional judgment requests; and maintains policies, procedures, and workflows. It is the primary compliance resource for financial aid programs and manages reporting, reconciliation, audit readiness, and required student disclosures. The role collaborates with campus partners and helps students and families navigate the financial aid process. The position is based onsite in Chicago, Illinois, in a professional office environment. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., onsite five days per week during the academic year. Additional hours may be required during peak processing and reporting cycles. Occasional travel, generally one to two times annually, may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
At least five years of financial aid administration experience.
At least two years of supervisory, leadership, or team lead experience.
Strong working knowledge of Title IV regulations, including Verification, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and Professional Judgment processes.
Demonstrated experience coaching, training, and developing staff.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to meet regulatory deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and enterprise software systems.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to interpret and apply complex financial aid regulations and institutional policies.
Commitment to student success, collaboration, and exceptional customer service.
Authorization to legally work in the United States without sponsorship.
Alignment with Moody Bible Institute's mission, doctrinal beliefs, and Christian values; employees must affirm Moody's Statement of Faith and adhere to Community Standards.

Nice To Haves

Ten or more years of financial aid administration experience.
Experience managing financial aid audits, compliance reviews, or program reviews.
Experience serving as a VA School Certifying Official.
Experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions.
NASFAA credentials or equivalent professional development and certification.

Responsibilities

Supervise, coach, and develop the financial aid counseling team, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, timekeeping, and performance management.
Provide staff training on financial aid regulations, policies, procedures, and systems.
Establish and monitor service standards, turnaround times, and performance expectations; review counselor work for accuracy and identify training or process improvement opportunities.
Lead daily Financial Aid Office operations, including awarding, packaging, and disbursement activities.
Serve as the escalation point for student and family concerns and ensure timely resolution.
Review and approve verification files, conflicting-information resolutions, SAP appeals, scholarship appeals, and related aid determinations.
Evaluate Professional Judgment requests, including special and unusual circumstances, under institutional policy and federal regulations.
Develop, maintain, and improve financial aid policies, procedures, and workflows.
Collaborate with Admissions, Student Accounts, Academic Records, Finance, Stewardship, and other campus partners.
Serve as the lead compliance resource for Title IV, state aid, veterans educational benefits, and institutional aid programs.
Monitor regulatory changes and implement required updates to policies, processes, and systems.
Maintain a compliance calendar and ensure reporting, reconciliation, and audit deadlines are met.
Oversee Return of Title IV Funds calculations and related compliance requirements.
Coordinate financial aid audits, program reviews, and compliance examinations, including corrective action plans when needed.
Manage federal and state reporting and reconciliation, including enrollment reporting and COD reconciliation.
Support VA educational benefits administration and serve as backup School Certifying Official.
Ensure consumer information disclosures and required student notifications remain current and compliant.
Protect the confidentiality and security of student records in accordance with FERPA and applicable regulations.