DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

POSITION SUMMARY

Occidental College, a highly selective, private, liberal arts college located in Los Angeles, California, seeks applications for an energetic, forward thinking and principled professional to fill the role of Director of Financial Aid. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment, the Director will serve as the leader in the development and implementation of Occidental’s financial aid strategies that meet the full demonstrated financial need of its students. The Director will supervise financial aid personnel and collaborate with other staff in setting the course for awarding institutional, state, and federal funds designed to meet the college’s new and returning/continuing student enrollment goals.

Occidental maintains a longstanding commitment to access; our student body is unusually diverse among national liberal arts colleges. The successful candidate will advance the college’s mission of excellence and equity in which all its members are acknowledged and supported.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GOALS

● Direct all financial aid functions with the purpose of enrolling and maintaining “a gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality” as stated in the college’s mission statement
● Participate as a core member of the enrollment management team
● Coordinate the College’s financial aid plan, ensuring compliance with federal, state and NCAA guidelines for Division III Athletics as well as institutional regulations and policies
● Manage the student financial aid budget and disbursement of federal, state and institutional funds
● Collaborate with the budget and finance, student accounts, institutional advancement, registrar and other college departments
● Employ current trends in financial aid and literacy into the recruitment and retention framework
● Afford clear direction to and expectations of staff in linking strategies to tactics and goals
● Mine and use data to assess financial aid procedures and policies
● Demonstrate fluency in technology (e.g., Banner, PowerFAIDS, IDOC, NetPartner, Technolutions Slate) and the effective collection and analysis of financial aid data
● Participate in financial aid related activities, represent the College at selected recruitment and financial aid events, including committees at the local, state and national level
● Provide leadership: hire, train, provide professional development opportunities, and ensure an office environment of mutual respect, support, and camaraderie
● Emphasize and model customer service by engaging students and families through all stages of the financial aid process, including the direct resolution of issues and appeals
● Demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in staffing and management

QUALIFICATIONS

● A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in college financial aid
● Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred
● Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills
● Demonstrated supervisory effectiveness and the ability to lead a cohesive financial aid team with diverse backgrounds, experience and personalities
● Experience in managing operating budgets
● Commitment to a residential liberal arts education, an appreciation for diversity and community, and the ability to effectively articulate the importance and value of both
● Ability to refine and implement systems to enhance technology
● Demonstrated success in building relationships with internal and external constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and parents
● A keen intellect, high energy, a collaborative spirit and personal warmth

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format). Priority consideration will be given to materials received by June 30, 2021. Preferred start date is August 16, 2021.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance