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Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid

Employer
Virginia Commonwealth University
Location
Virginia, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Jul 12, 2021

Position Information

University Code 35334 University Title Associate Director 1, Student Services University Job Family Student Services ORP Eligible Yes For more information on ORP, visit: Retirement Plans
Recruitment Pool All Applicants Recruitment Type Multi Title Scope of Search Regional Working Title Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid Position Number 587410 Is this employee on a H1B Visa? No Position Type Staff Job Status Full-Time FLSA Indicator Exempt Employee Group University Employee Department Financial Aid Organizational Overview

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Senior Associate Director is a senior member of the department management team who provides leadership and oversight of all day-to-day functions of the financial aid office. This position assists Virginia Commonwealth University and the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success in proactively and successfully addressing the financial aid needs of a diverse student body and facilitates the efficiency and effectiveness of financial aid services to students.

This position will support the Director and serves in place of the Director, when needed, including at applicable meetings. The Senior Associate Director has a key role in decision-making and policy development. Additionally, this position is responsible for managing and overseeing the operations, systems, compliance and reporting practices, policies and procedures; for ensuring achievement of specific objectives established within the Division; for evaluating, approving, and awarding financial aid to students in accordance with all laws and regulations; coordinating and providing an operational resource to department staff; and managing the collection and reporting of financial aid data.

Essential Duties:
-Directs all day-to-day office activity to ensure effective financial aid strategies for the attraction and retention of undergraduate students including, but not limited to: planning, supervision, staff training, communication, developing and implementing policies and procedures, regulatory compliance, fiscal management, data analysis, quality assurance, and reporting.
-Ensures an effective and informative communication flow to prospective financially-assisted students.
-Provides leadership, direct supervision, and direction to the staff in all areas of the office including Operations and FA systems. Through this leadership, the Senior Associate Director works to ensure that all financial aid processes and services implement best practices and are delivered in a timely manner with the highest level of customer service to support new student recruitment and overall retention efforts in addition to complying with all federal and state laws. This includes ensuring that appropriate processes, policies, and initiatives are in place so that all new and returning students have completed the financial aid application process, submitted all required information, and have received and understand their financial aid award prior to attending classes at the beginning of each semester.
-Ensures compliance with all federal, state, NCAA, and institutional financial aid programs and campus awarding processes. Validates accurate external reporting on IPEDS, GE disclosure, NSLDS, and SCHEV reporting.
-Collaborates with the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships to develop an annual plan for awarding institutional aid to support the achievement of new student recruitment goals within assigned financial parameters including the development of regular reports to track periodic progress towards the achievement of target discount rate levels.
-Utilizes a data-driven and participatory approach to decision-making that supports continual service and program improvement.
-Serves as a key resource in response to state/programmatic accreditation reports and a technical expert for program submissions of state reports.
-Collaborates with Office of Planning and Decision Support, Registrar, and other internal staff to ensure timely submission and data integrity.
-Coordinates data analysis reviews and internal quality assurance reporting for federal aid research, awarding parameters, compliance, and surveys.
-Identifies and implements strategies collaboratively with the Student Financial Management Center to prevent excessive financial aid liabilities including: (i) the development and coordination of programming and advising tools related to financial aid and financing options, (ii) participation in Open House, admissions, and orientation sessions, (iii) providing entrance and exit counseling and financial management workshops; and (iv) developing and overseeing the implementation of a Financial Literacy Initiative to better equip students and families to make sound, informed decisions on the implications of loan debt, payment plans, and financing their education.
-Implements and assesses strategies that specifically address the unique economic needs of students.
-Ensures regulatory and procedural compliance for Federal (Title IV and Title VII ), for VCU ; as well as reporting data to internal and external parties including the Department of Education.
-Oversees the development and maintenance of the: financial aid application process; annual cost of attendance budget; financial aid communications; and creation and presentation of educational materials related to financial aid.
-Selects, supervises, and evaluates financial aid staff. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance: rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
-Coordinates special projects and new office-wide initiatives including Banner upgrades, Blackboard, net tuition calculator, Blackbaud Award Management, and outside service implementations.
-Works to garner appropriate resources to move the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships toward automation and office efficiency and uses innovation in leveraging technology to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of financial aid processes and other student services operations.
-Participates in presentations or events representing the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as needed.
-Maintains and improves professional knowledge through professional development on all federal and state regulatory requirements and updates.
-Maintains good working relationships with front line staff, internal offices, students, parents, and external constituents. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills as outlined in the VCU Code of Conduct.
-Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Hiring Standards
-Bachelor’s degree in financial management, education administration, business, or related field.
-Three years of professional experience in financial aid.
-Excellent organizational skills and exceptional strategic, quantitative, and analytic skills, with special attention to connect how processing impacts other areas including student success.
-Understanding of contemporary financial aid practices and technology.
-Demonstrated progressive supervisory and staff development experience.
-Knowledge of and ability to apply federal, state, NCAA, and institutional financial aid laws, regulations, and policies.
-Exceptional interpersonal skills with diverse groups.
-Strong written and oral communication skills.
-Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially Word and Excel.
-Student information system experience.
-Detail-oriented and with excellent follow-through and planning abilities.
-Ability to manage and meet deadlines.
-Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
-Demonstrated leadership organizing financial aid processes and programs.
-Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU . Preferred Hiring Standards
-Completed or in progress Master’s degree in financial management, education administration, business, or related field.
-More than three years of progressive supervisory experience in a financial aid office.
-Advanced prior experience with Banner SIS and any associated linked system interfaces.
-Knowledge of VCU and its policies and procedures. Required Licenses/ Certifications Anticipated Hiring Range $75,000-$85,000-Commensurate with experience Application Process/Additional Information
Preference will be given to applications received by June 27, 2021. Campus Monroe Park Campus Hours/Week 40 Normal Work Days/Hours M-F Job Open Date 07/12/2021 Posting will close on or before Open Until Filled Yes Job Category Accounting/ Management/ Professional Is this a restricted position? No Is this position eligible to participate in alternative work arrangements? Yes Sensitive Position No Resource Critical Yes Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/106320 Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Indicate your highest level of education achieved
    • Bachelor’s Degree
    • Some graduate coursework
    • Master’s Degree
    • Other
  2. * How many years of professional experience do you have in financial aid?
    • 0-2
    • 3-5
    • 5+
  3. * How many years of progressive supervisory experience do you have
    • 0-2
    • 3-5
    • 5+
  4. * How many years of experience do you have using the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid or similar student information system?
    • 0
    • 1-2
    • 3-5
    • 5+
  5. * Do you have project management experience where you implemented a policy change?
    • yes
    • no
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. Resume
Optional Documents
  1. Other Document


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