Director of Financial Aid (SEARCH RE-OPENED 1/8/2021)

Working Title

Director of Financial Aid (SEARCH RE-OPENED 1/8/2021)

Position Number

FA097

FLSA

Exempt

Appointment Type

Full Time

Sensitive Position

No

Sensitive Position Statement

A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority

No

Campus Security Authority Statement

This position is NOT designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an “official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel

Yes

Designated Personnel Statement

This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest

No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement

This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position

No

Restricted Position Statement

A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position

THIS SEARCH HAS BEEN RE-OPENED AS OF JANUARY 8, 2021. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services and University Registrar, the Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the leadership, administration, management, and strategic direction for the delivery and coordination of federal, state, and institutional student financial aid programs; coordinating and overseeing audits, and compliance reviews and account reconciliation. The Director maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing student aid programs, accounting operations, budget preparation, maintenance of Federal and state fund budgetary controls and regulatory compliance, delivery of funds and services to students, and prepares Federal, state, and institutional reports. Further, the Director is responsible for providing a student-centered environment in support of students and prospective students by assisting them and their families with obtaining financial resources to assist in meeting their educational expenses.

Work Tasks

• Federal, State, and Institutional Compliance:

Interprets and implements federal and state financial aid rules and regulations. Ensures that internal policies and procedures accurately reflect standard operating procedures and are based on federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations so as to avoid institutional fiscal liability. Updates institutional financial aid policies ensuring compliance with pertinent federal, state, and institutional rules and contractual regulations. Reviews and responds to proposed legislation related to financial aid. Oversees and coordinates the Financial Aid Office response to program reviews and audits (federal, internal, program, and/or state). Employs procedures to ensure that students receiving federal, state, and institutional aid are maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with Federal, state, and institutional requirements. Completes the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) and other requisite surveys and reports.

• Leadership:

Coordinates financial aid operations in collaboration with other appropriate institutional units to include Admissions, Advancement, Athletic Department, Information Technology, Institutional Research, Registrar, Student Accounts, and Student Affairs to provide seamless and responsive service to constituents and to support enrollment and retention of students. Participates in the formulation, implementation, and assessment of financial aid and enrollment strategies. Directs, trains, supervises, and evaluates financial aid staff. Provides for Financial Aid cross-training and staff development. Resolves and/or assists in the resolution of problems and/or complaints and initiates corrective action as appropriate. Promotes awareness for staff regarding the needs of different student populations and the array of services available on and off campus to meet those needs. Leads the office in business process analysis so as to continuously increase and improve operational efficiency and service, and ensures proper controls and regulatory compliance, and maintains a paperless processing environment. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, perform a variety of tasks, and lead and direct the work of others.

• Financial Aid Program Funds and Program Management:

Manages and supervises departmental operations for automated and manual financial award systems, data management, packaging, budgeting, records, disbursement, and reporting requirements for loan, employment, grant, and institutional scholarship programs. Directs and coordinates the delivery of student financial aid. Prepares applications, budgets, and/or proposals and directs budgetary controls for efficient management, accountability, required audit trails, and checks/balances for federal, state, and local funds. Conducts needs analyses and determines individual student eligibility for various aid programs. Verifies, documents, and maintains student generated information used to determine eligibility for financial aid awards. Directs the loan default prevention program and a program for assisting students with locating outside (private) scholarships. Implements policies and procedures so that documentation, audit trails, accountability, and checks and balances exist for all funds disbursed. Develops, implements, and monitors best practices related to scholarship allocation and financial aid processing. Employs policies and procedures for the administration of refunds, repayments, and return of Title IV aid for all withdrawing financial aid recipients. Chairs and convenes the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

• Technologies:

Maximizes integration and use of technology in delivering financial aid. Participates in a cross-functional team to maintain a paperless processing environment utilizing document management and workflow technologies. Coordinates the enhancement and maintenance of the automated financial aid system (Banner) with Information Technology Services, Student Services Information Systems, and regulatory and guarantee agencies. Ensures that technological applications of financial aid delivery are current.

• Outreach, Counseling, and Advising:

Establishes an effective student financial aid counseling program. Maintains relationships with students, faculty, advisors, and university administration so as to provide an avenue for students to seek assistance when needed. Serves on university committees and teams as needed. Designs, develops, implements, and participates in outreach activities with an emphasis on financial aid advising and services to current and prospective students to include high school college nights, college fairs, admissions open houses, admitted freshman days, Setting Sail, Welcome Week, and other outreach programs targeted at informing current and prospective students of financial aid availability and application processes. Develops and maintains strong relationships with local and, to the extent possible, state high school counselors. Provides programmatic and federal and state updates to Admissions and Transfer recruiting staff. Collaborates with various university constituencies to design, edit, and produce publications and communications regarding financial aid.

• Miscellaneous:

Performs related duties as required or assigned. Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and relations within the HR office and with all HR constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, administrators, other employees, other agency personnel and community members. Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports the “Student’s First” value at Christopher Newport University and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service. Completes all work in a timely, efficient and accurate manner. Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absence. This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) required

Strong organizational skills. Strong leadership, team building, collaboration, strategic planning, and interpersonal communication skills. Proven ability to set work priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, hands-on environment while meeting deadlines. Demonstrated ability for student programming and public speaking.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) preferred

Familiarity with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s financial aid programs.
Knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Required Education

Master’s degree in a related field or a Bachelor’s degree with experience that would equate to a Master’s degree required.

Preferred Education

Master’s degree in a related field.

Experience Required

Proven history of directly related and progressively responsible experience in financial aid or in a related area of higher education. Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional financial aid rules and regulations. Prior supervisory experience. Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for higher education, or an equivalent application.

Experience Preferred

Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite. Experience with student program development. Demonstrated experience with Banner. Experience with SQL*, Toad, SQL Developer, or an equivalent application. Strong financial management experience. Data analysis experience. Experience working at a four-year liberal arts institution. Demonstrated experience with program management.

CNU Information

Selected by The Princeton Review for The 386 Best Colleges: 2021 Edition, and highly ranked for its quality of life and innovative leadership, Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience — great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. A “student-first, teaching-first” community, Christopher Newport is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. The University is located between Williamsburg and the Virginia beaches in Newport News, and enrolls 5,100 students. Academic programs encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University has a new and technologically advanced campus, has generated over 7,300 applications for a freshmen class of 1,155 and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide as fourth among public regional universities in the South and seventh among all regional universities in the South. In addition, Christopher Newport is ranked third among all public schools for having "the highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students.” Christopher Newport is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We seek exceptional and diverse candidates and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

AP120P

Number of Vacancies

1

Posting Date

01/08/2021

Application Deadline

01/31/2021

Application Instructions

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application. Review of applications will begin January 31, 2021. Applications received after January 31, 2021, will be accepted but considered only if needed. Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

THIS SEARCH HAS BEEN RE-OPENED AS OF JANUARY 8, 2021. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY.

Quick Link for Internal Postings

https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/10098

EEO Statement

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement: