Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid Operations & Compliance

Hawaii Pacific University • HPU Downtown Campus; Honolulu, HI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations and Compliance serves as the office’s senior operational leader. The position directly supervises two Associate Directors and assists them in coordinating the day-to-day work of financial aid counselors. The Senior Associate Director leads consistent, student-focused service and oversees day-to-day compliance and quality assurance for both federal and institutional aid programs. The role translates policy into reliable procedures, helps staff resolve complex cases, and addresses problems before they delay or misstate students’ aid. Regular and predictable on-site attendance is required because the position involves direct supervision, teamwork, and in-person service; occasional flexible hours may be necessary. The Senior Associate Director works with Student Accounts, the Registrar, Admissions, Information Technology, and other offices to coordinate financial aid operations and improve the student experience. When delegated, the position provides operational leadership in the Director’s absence within established authority. This position supports HPU’s mission and strategic plan through teamwork, customer focus, continuous learning, effective use of technology, respect for diversity, sound judgment, and openness to change. The Senior Associate Director handles sensitive student and financial information and represents the University with care and professionalism. Decisions in this role can affect students, regulatory compliance, University resources, and HPU’s reputation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• At least five years of leadership experience in financial aid administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and institutional financial aid programs and the rules governing their administration.
• Experience supervising and developing staff, setting priorities, and coordinating work across multiple financial aid functions.
• Experience applying financial aid policies and regulations to complex student cases and day-to-day office practices.
• Ability to develop written procedures, assess internal controls, review files, identify errors, and implement corrective action.
• Working knowledge of financial aid systems, reporting, and data analysis used to monitor processing and compliance.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with students, staff, and institutional partners.
• Appreciation for the academic mission and culture of a university.
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to move ideas forward collaboratively.
• Ability to communicate clearly with institutional partners and external audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Commitment to accurate data, consistent service, and continuous improvement.
• Sensitivity to and respect for the varied needs of a diverse student population.
• Proficiency with office technology and the ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to manage time and competing demands effectively in a busy service environment.
• Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the Banner information system or a comparable student information system.
• Master’s degree.
• Ten or more years of experience in financial aid administration, including significant leadership, compliance, audit, or process improvement responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervises two Associate Directors of Financial Aid, including work planning, coaching, performance evaluation, professional development, and accountability for results.
• With guidance from the Director of Financial Aid, manages the day-to-day assignments and priorities of financial aid counselors.
• Coordinates coverage and workload during peak periods and ensures that staff have clear guidance for resolving student issues.
• Leads daily office operations, monitors service and processing backlogs, and takes timely action to maintain accurate, responsive support for students and families.
• Builds a collaborative and respectful team culture.
• Establishes consistent practices, supports staff training, addresses concerns early, and helps staff work through difficult cases and changes in procedure.
• Works closely with Student Accounts, the Registrar, Admissions, Information Technology, and other partners to resolve issues that cross office boundaries and to improve the student experience.
• Serves as the Director’s primary operational partner.
• Communicates emerging risks, staffing needs, and recommended solutions, and provides delegated operational leadership when the Director is unavailable.
• Leads the office’s day-to-day compliance practices for federal and institutional financial aid programs under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid.
• Maintains and regularly reviews written procedures and internal controls for eligibility, verification, awarding, satisfactory academic progress, disbursement, withdrawals, reconciliation, reporting, and record retention.
• Monitors regulatory changes, assesses their effect on office practices, and coordinates updates to procedures, staff training, and system requirements.
• Conducts routine file reviews and exception monitoring; identifies patterns of error, assigns corrective action, and verifies that problems are resolved.
• Coordinates financial aid office preparation for audits and program reviews, including documentation, responses to findings, and follow-through on corrective actions.
• Escalates significant compliance risks promptly to the Director with a clear description of the issue, students affected, and proposed resolution.
• Partners with Information Technology and system vendors to test changes, improve data quality, and maintain reports and controls that help staff identify errors before they affect students.
• Documents and improves workflows across financial aid systems and related offices, with attention to accuracy, timely processing, and clear information for students.
• Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned
• Participates as an effective team member by completing assigned duties and accepting additional assignments or reassignments.
• Assists with seasonal peaks in financial aid operations.

Benefits

• Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance are not available for this position.
• May be required to work during HPU’s winter break to support departmental operations.
• This position may be essential, with reporting obligations during certain emergencies, campus closures, or evacuations.
• Able to work occasional extended or adjusted hours during peak periods.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior