Executive Director, Student Financial Aid
Office of Financial Aid
University of Baltimore

Vacancy Number 300951
Regular, full-time exempt position with full, competitive benefits package
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications

Position is open until filled, and application review begins immediately.

Serving in the Office of Financial Aid, within the Division of Administration and Finance, the Executive Director oversees all aspects of financial aid, including leading a 7 person team and serving as a critical partner with offices responsible for recruitment, retention, student success, and student and institution finances. We look forward to receiving your electronic application with a cover letter and resume and learning about your interest in and qualifications for our vacancy. Please save your cover letter and resume as one document and attach it in the resume location.

The Executive Director develops and executes talent and need-based financial aid philosophies and strategies to support achievement of the university's targeted student body profiles and net tuition revenue goals. The Executive Director is responsible for delivery of exemplary customer service to students and their families as well as to other internal and external constituents. Strong communication skills, written and verbal, are essential as the Executive Director must develop and implement comprehensive and integrated communications programs which meaningfully connect with current and prospective students, and other related constituents. The Executive Director applies strong technical and analytical skills as well as strong business acumen in developing and executing financial aid strategies, programs, and operations to achieve its goals. The Executive Director actively leads, motivates, develops and manages the financial aid team for high performance. He or she is responsible for full compliance with federal, state, local laws and regulations as well as full compliance with University System of Maryland (USM) and institutional policies. The Executive Director recommends policy changes as needed to remain compliant and continually improves processes in financial aid for effectiveness and efficiency.

Key responsibilities are strategy development and implementation, compliance, analytics and systems, efficient and effective work and communication practices, including high touch customer service and staff management, development and mentoring.

Strategy development and implementation - Create strategic recommendations for all categories of institutional aid to achieve the university's targeted student body profiles and net tuition revenue goals. Participate in discussions with leadership to finalize a talent-based and need-based financial aid plans. Implement plan ensuring the use of financial aid to meet institutional goals. Use data analytics/analysis as needed to develop the above and evaluate tools and processes to enhance communicate of financial aid opportunities to students. Coordinate a consistent approach to student awards, appeals, interaction and communication. Review and revise appropriate policies and procedures to support efficient awarding and best practices for student recruitment and retention.

Analytics and Systems - Oversee the technology processes which facilitate the lifecycle of student financial aid from acceptance to disbursement. Oversee support and maintenance of financial aid policies, including satisfactory academic progress and the return of Title IV funds. Monitor trends and new regulations which impact financial aid activities at both institutional, state and federal level.

Oversee, the technology staff responsible for performing the setup, support and maintenance of system processes related to financial aid, including all aspects of financial aid processing in the student information system, processes which generate reports for external agencies, system improvement testing and internal quality assurance using system checks and balances.

Compliance - Overall responsibility for all aspects of financial aid administration. Ensure regulatory compliance and administrative requirements, changes, recommendations and timetables for changes to all federal, state and institutional student financial aid programs. Develop and/or recommend policies and procedures which align with a high quality service organization and maintain compliance regulations. Communicates and coordinate policy and procedure changes to students, institutional colleagues and other stakeholders.

Participate in all financial aid related audits (internal and external) as needed. Partner with the Office of the Comptroller on federal and state aid accounting, reconciliation and reporting. Oversee Assistant Director responsible for leading the administrative and organizational functions of the office and staff.

Staff development, management and mentoring - Provide leadership and direction for seven team members, of which two are direct reports. Develop procedures to monitor the student to staff case-loads; accurately award, track and monitor awards and award removal. Recommends changes and improvements to team tasks, technology, compliance and/or audit changes or issues, including but not limited to skill development, customer services training and team motivation. Review and validate internal controls and their compliance related to federal and state regulations; such as but not limited to Title IV funding, VA benefits and MHEC scholarship rules.

Required Qualifications

Education: Baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration or a field and/or discipline related to achieving success in the performance of position responsibilities

Experience: Eight years' experience in higher education student financial aid. Five years of supervisory experience. Knowledge of Title IV financial aid programs and COD interface. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning tool or integrated data. A strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs. Additionally, experience working with the federal and state system interfaces. Strategic thinking and communication skills are a must.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's Degree in Accounting, Business or related discipline.

Experience: Experience working with PeopleSoft modules and/or project management in a public higher education environment. Experience working in a shared services model with a diverse non-traditional student population.

Visit http://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/offices-and-services/human-resources/jobs-at-ub.cfm?&posting=1393 to access our electronic application and apply.

The University of Baltimore ("UB" or "University") does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion, age, disability, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other legally protected characteristics in its programs, activities or employment practices. UB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Compliant Employer & Title IX Institution.