Senior Director of Compliance, Budget, and Operations

The University of Miami is committed to educating and nurturing students, creating knowledge, and providing service to our community and beyond. We are leaders in the areas of education, scholarship, intercollegiate athletics, and service.

 ~University of Miami Mission Statement

The University of Miami invites applications for a newly created position of Senior Director of Compliance, Budget, and Operations within the Office of Student Financial Assistance & Employment.  Reporting to the Executive Director, Student Financial Assistance and Employment, this Senior Director will manage the administration of operational aspects of aid administration to ensure effective and efficient administration of all aspects of financial aid delivery. As an integral member within the Division of Enrollment Management, the senior director will provide leadership to an office of 11, including three direct reports (a senior analyst, a systems and compliance analyst and an associate director of student employment) to ensure compliance with all federal, state and institutional regulations and policies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Senior Director of Compliance, Budget, and Operations include:

• Explore and implement new ways to increase productivity, efficiency and customer service through the use and integration of PowerFAIDS technology.
• Develop and execute the overarching administrative process regarding delivery of aid ensuring compliance and technological efficiency;
• Oversee the fiscal projections in keeping with all UM administrative systems to support cash management efficiencies and standardized reconciliation processes;
• Develop, forecast and manage the financial aid budget while ensuring accurate tuition rules;
• Lead in the development, forecasting, management, and administration of the comprehensive institutional financial aid budget;
• Review budget reports regularly and confirm that all expenditures and disbursements are within budget guidelines;
• Manage the fiscal aspects of endowed scholarships including the full administrative process for the creation of new funds, the effective awarding of allocated funds and associated reporting;
• Collaborate with OAR and the Controller’s office to develop and ensure the timely reporting of all required fiscal reports;
• Oversee the completion of the FISAP report and all required federal and state reports;
• Manage all aspects of the annual audit including reporting, and the coordination of review and response;
• Implement Academic Works software for the management of endowed and annual scholarship funds in conjunction with Institutional Advancement team;
• Provide regular analysis and offer strategies to enhance the utilization of resources;
• Analyze routine process to ensure compliance and efficiency particularly as it relates to the utilization of PowerFAIDS and overall operational efficiency in support of compliance;
• Support the Executive Director and collaborate with the various financial aid directors to manage the content and access to the Net Partner student portal and ensure adherence to policies and procedures - particularly those related to student privacy and FERPA – within federal and state regulations;
• Work with the undergraduate financial aid director to implement the full use of IDOC service for continuing undergraduate students;
• Partner with the Admissions Operations team to develop and validate the record retention structure as it relates to College Board IDOC history;
• Collaborate with the Systems and Compliance team to develop daily, weekly, semesterly and annual production schedules;
• Work closely with the IT office and other offices ensure the integrity of the data interfaces between PowerFAIDS and CaneLink (UM’s PeopleSoft instance) and to ensure all system upgrades and current system issues are reviewed - including web page content, portal, and other crucial components necessary to the effective administration of financial assistance programs; and
• Collaborate on strategic goals, review progress towards the goals, and discuss the need for additional actions as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate should have significant proven experience in a senior leadership role in higher education. A master's degree in Higher Education or related field and eight (8) or more years in progressive management role in financial assistance or related higher education field required.  In addition, candidates for this position should demonstrate the following characteristics, skills, abilities and understanding:

• Possession of strong technical skills and experience working with Information Technology including PowerFAIDS, mainframe software systems, and Microsoft Office. 
• Understanding and commitment to working with diverse student and family populations including first generation, international, transfer and adult applicants.
• Strong analytic skills to make data-informed recommendations and decisions.
• In-depth knowledge of financial aid programs, processes, and federal and state compliance regulations.
• Priority on developing and effectively managing an operational and financial aid budget.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills at all levels including ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to develop reports, extract data, analyze outputs.
• Knowledge of and experience using reporting software in higher education.
• Comprehensive and broad knowledge of student employment and the role it plays within the division.
• Creative assessment and use of existing resources; advocate for additional resources and tools to enhance productivity.
• Discernment in listening and decision making.
• Ability to lead change that will positively impact an office culture.
• Detailed oriented and organized individual who can formalize and document policies and procedures.
• An interpersonal style that is collaborative, personable, approachable, flexible and relatable.

The University of Miami

Established in 1925, the University of Miami is a vibrant and diverse, private research university located near one of the most global cities in the United States, Miami, Florida.  The stunning campus lined with palm trees and well-maintained buildings offers its more than 11,000 undergraduates and 6,500 graduate students a comfortable and intimate campus setting with exceptional, cutting edge academic and cultural opportunities. In the 2018-19 academic year, the University packaged more than $522 million in financial aid, with $295 million coming from institutional sources.  The University comprises 11 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs. The University is focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge, and service to the South Florida region and beyond.  To read more about the University and the inspiring momentum, visit www.miami.edu.

Location

Coral Gables, The City Beautiful, stands out as a rare pearl in South Florida. It is a cohesive community built on a grand scale that blends color, detail, and Live Oaks along Coral Way. Coral Gables is a major employment center, with almost as many people working in the city as living there. The Coral Gables economy is comprised of local and international businesses, but unlike other parts of Florida, it is not influenced as strongly by seasonal shifts.  Coral Gables is especially desirable to businesses because of its proximity to Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami, and downtown Miami, while also being convenient for executive housing.  In addition, a vintage style trolley connects many of the commercial districts, Grand Avenue and the Metrorail.  The city has a strong offering of banking, investment institutions, health care, and professional services.  The University of Miami is the city's largest employer.

Excellent municipal services, high quality of life, convenient access, responsible growth and a diversified economy make Coral Gables a highly desirable place to live, work and play.  For information about Coral Gables and the region, visit: https://www.coralgables.com.

To Apply

Napier Executive Search is assisting the University of Miami with its search for a Senior Director of Compliance, Budget, and Operations. All inquiries, nominations and conversations about this opportunity are welcome and will remain confidential. For more information, please contact Mary Napier (mary.napier@napiersearch.com), Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@napiersearch.com) or Thom Golden (thom.golden@napiersearch.com).  If you wish to apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Miami@napiersearch.com.  Materials will be reviewed until the position is filled; priority consideration will be given to resumes received before June 25, 2021. 

The University of Miami values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.